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Mastering how to cut asparagus is easier than you think! This guide shows you a simple way to trim asparagus, ensuring tender spears without any woody bits in just a few steps.
Do you have a big, bright bunch of asparagus you’re ready to cook with? Grab your knife and let’s talk about prepping this delicious vegetable. Here’s how to cut or trim asparagus so that you can use it in recipes of all kinds.
The most important thing to know about asparagus.
The thick bottom part of the spear is white or light purple — it’s very tough and not meant to be eaten! You might be tempted to just snap it off, but the best way to remove it is with a knife! Here’s a fast and easy way to cut asparagus.
How to cut asparagus: step by step
Step 1: Line up the asparagus spears on a cutting board, all facing the same direction.
Step 2: Grab half of the stalks with your non-cutting hand. Using a large chef’s knife, slice off the bottom tough parts of the stalks just where the color turns from white to green (about 1 inch). Repeat with the other half of the stalks.
And that’s it: your asparagus is ready to be used in any recipe! Keep reading for ideas.
How long does asparagus last?
Fresh asparagus lasts refrigerated for 3 to 5 days. A best practice for storage is to use those trimmed asparagus spears and stand them up in a jar or wide glass with 1 inch of water in the bottom. Cover the tops with a plastic bag and refrigerate. However, I usually store my asparagus in the produce drawer, and it does just fine.
Ways to use asparagus
After you’ve mastered how to trim asparagus, there are so many asparagus recipes to try out! Here are some favorite ways to cook asparagus.
- Oven: Try tasty baked asparagus, roasted asparagus, or my favorite: quick and simple broiled asparagus.
- Stovetop: Make sauteed asparagus, steamed asparagus, boiled asparagus, or blanched asparagus.
- Grill: Fire up the grill for smoky grilled asparagus.
- Main dish: Try creamy and lemony asparagus risotto, bake up salmon and asparagus, an asparagus quiche for brunch, or this crowd-pleasing asparagus pasta.
- Salad: Mix up a fresh asparagus salad with feta and radishes.
Tip: Use a great chef’s knife!
A good knife can drastically improve your time in the kitchen. I’ve had my chef’s knives for over 10 years, and they still work great. My favorite knife is this 7″ Chef’s Knife. For safe storage, you can use a drawer knife organizer. Make sure to keep your knives sharpened using a local service or home knife sharpener.
Frequently asked questions
The bottom portion of the asparagus is woody and tough. Cutting it removes this inedible part, making sure only the tender, flavorful spears reach your plate.
Look for the color change where the vibrant green transitions to a paler white. That’s where the tough part begins. Aim to cut about 1 inch from the bottom.
Yes! Asparagus naturally breaks at the point where the tender and tough parts meet. Simply hold the spear near the bottom and gently bend it until it snaps. This works well for most asparagus, but thicker spears might require a final trim with a knife.
For very thin asparagus spears, you might not need to cut much. Simply inspect the base for any woody sections and trim accordingly.
How to Cut Asparagus
Mastering how to cut asparagus is easier than you think! This guide shows you a simple way to trim asparagus, ensuring tender spears without any woody bits in a just few steps.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 pound 1x
- Category: Knife Skills
- Method: Cutting
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
Instructions
- Line up the asparagus spears on a cutting board.
- Grab half of the stalks with your non-cutting hand. Using a large chef’s knife, slice off the bottom tough parts of the stalks just where the color turns from white to green.
- Repeat with the other half of the stalks.
