How to Cook Asparagus on the Stovetop
Asparagus is a vegetable that is not only delicious and easy to cook, but also very healthy and nutritious! Besides making baked asparagus with oven, using the stovetop is another quick and convenient way to prepare asparagus for any meal. In this article, let’s explore how to cook asparagus on the stovetop in three simple ways!
Table of Contents
Why Cook Asparagus on the Stovetop?
Cooking asparagus on the stovetop is actually a very convenient method. You don’t need to preheat the oven or use any special tools and just spend less than 10 minutes to have your asparagus done, making it so convenient for busy schedules. And it’s super easy – whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, you can cook it perfectly. Moreover, cooking asparagus on the stovetop is considered a good way to keep almost all precious nutrient from this vegetable.
So, let’s discover several simple ways to cook asparagus on the stovetop below:
How to Cook Asparagus on the Stovetop
Here are three simple methods to cook asparagus on the stovetop:
1. Pan-Fried Asparagus
Pan-frying asparagus is a great way to achieve a tender texture with a bit of crispiness. It takes you only 5-7 minutes to have a flavorful dish with asparagus. Follow the steps below:
- First, wash the asparagus and trim the tough ends and add it into the pan.
- Heat the pan/skillet over medium heat and drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil or melted butter over asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices.
- Place the asparagus in the pan in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the stalks are tender and slightly browned.
2. Steamed Asparagus
Steaming asparagus is a gentle Asian-inspired cooking method that keeps the vegetable’s natural flavor intact and also the most of nutrient. Here’s how to cook asparagus on stovetop with steaming method:
- Start by washing the asparagus and trimming the tough ends.
- Fill a pot with about an inch of water and bring it to a boil. Place a steaming basket over the pot, add the asparagus to the basket, and cover with a lid.
- Steam for 3-5 minutes until the asparagus is bright green and tender. For extra flavor, drizzle with lemon juice or olive oil before serving.
3. Boiled Asparagus
Boiling is one of the fastest ways to cook asparagus, however, you might lose some nutrients which dissolve in water.
Begin by washing the asparagus and trimming the tough ends. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook for 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalks. Once cooked, drain the asparagus and serve immediately. For added richness, top with butter or sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Don’t Throw Away Asparagus Ends –Let’s Make Asparagus Ends Soup!
We all need to cut the ends of asparagus before cooking it because it’s tough and fibrous. But the tough ends of asparagus don’t need to go to waste! They can be used to make a simple and delicious soup. Here’s my easy asparagus ends soup recipe, check it!
Cooking asparagus on the stovetop is simple, quick and so healthy. Without an oven or air fryer, you can choose many methods to cook it on the stovetop and add this tasty and healthy plant to your daily diet. Don’t forget to save the ends for a delicious soup to maximize the use of this wonderful vegetable!
How to Cook Asparagus on the Stovetop
Ingredients
- 400 g asparagus 14 oz
- A pinch of salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices
- 1 tsp oil for pan-fried method
Instructions
Method 1. Pan-fried Asaparagus
- First, wash the asparagus and trim the tough ends and add it into the pan.
- Heat the pan/skillet over medium heat and drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil or melted butter over asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices.
- Place the asparagus in the pan in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the stalks are tender and slightly browned.
Method 2. Steamed Asparagus
- Start by washing the asparagus and trimming the tough ends.
- Fill a pot with about an inch of water and bring it to a boil. Place a steaming basket over the pot, add the asparagus to the basket, and cover with a lid.
- Steam for 3-5 minutes until the asparagus is bright green and tender. For extra flavor, drizzle with lemon juice or olive oil before serving.
Method 3. Boiled Asparagus
- Begin by washing the asparagus and trimming the tough ends.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook for 2-4 minutes, depending on the thickness of the stalks.
- Once cooked, drain the asparagus and serve immediately. For added richness, top with butter or sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, or simply salt and pepper.
Nutrition
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