How to Blanch Asparagus
User Reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Excellent
How to Blanch Asparagus
Report
Here’s how to blanch asparagus perfectly to enjoy in salads, pasta, or all by itself. It's an easy technique to learn whether you want to meal prep, make a veggie tray, or freeze asparagus for later.
Share:
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 2 pounds asparagus trimmed
- 1 tablespoon salt optional
Instructions
To blanch the asparagus:
- Fill a large bowl with water and ice. In a large saucepan or stockpot, bring 1 inch water and 1 teaspoon salt to boil. Add asparagus, cover, and boil until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Immediately remove from boiling water and plunge into ice bath to stop the cooking. When completely cool, drain well and pat dry.
Notes
- Trimming: To trim the tough, fibrous portion of each spear, you can cut it with a knife or bend it until it snaps. The asparagus will break precisely where the tender part ends and the tough part begins.
- Buying: Look for straight, sturdy spears that are bright green with a purple hue at the tip. If the tips of the spears start to open, darken or appear slimy, skip it. Check the bottom of the bunch to see if the stalks are wrinkled, completely dried out, or too woody. Last, consider your recipe with regard to spear-size. For example, thin spears are great in asparagus salad while thicker spears are great for asparagus wrapped in prosciutto.
- Storing: Trim off the ends with a sharp knife and place the bunch upright in an inch or so of cold water inside the refrigerator until you need it. A square-bottomed mug or ramekin works great for this.
- Yield: This recipe makes 4 servings (1 cup blanched asparagus each). 1 pound asparagus yields about 2 cups chopped asparagus.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Arrange drained asparagus in a single layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment or waxed paper and put it in the freezer. Once the asparagus is frozen, transfer it to a zipper-top bag and freeze up to 9 months. Remove and reheat any portion size, or thaw the whole bag overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1cup
Calories
45kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
1749mg
(73%)
Potassium
458mg
(13%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
1715IU
(34%)
Vitamin C
13mg
(14%)
Calcium
56mg
(6%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings (1 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 45 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 45kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 1749mg | 73% |
| Potassium | 458mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1715IU | 34% |
| Vitamin C | 13mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 56mg | 6% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
33 reviews
Excellent
Other Recipes
You'll Also Love
