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5.0 from 33 votes

How to Blanch Asparagus

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.

Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
6 mins
Servings: 4 servings (1 cup each)
Calories: 45 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the salad:
  • 2 pounds asparagus trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon salt optional

Instructions

To blanch the asparagus:
    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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

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

% 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.