If you are preparing a recipe with fresh asparagus, follow these steps for how to cut asparagus to get rid of those woody ends.
There are so many delicious ways to eat asparagus, it is one of our favorite vegetables in my house. I love it roasted and eating it as a side dish or adding it to other recipes. How ever you decide to eat this versatile vegetable, this tutorial will help you pick out your asparagus, trim it, and store it.
Choosing Asparagus
- Look for firm stalks: Choose asparagus with firm, straight stalks. Avoid any that feel limp, soft, or overly woody at the bottom.
- Check the tips: The tips should be tight buds, compact, and free from mushy or dark spots.
- Color matters: Vibrant green stalks with hints of purple at the tips are ideal. Avoid stalks that appear faded, discolored, or overly pale.
- Size preference: Both thin and thick asparagus can be delicious! Thin stalks are tender and cook quickly, while thicker ones hold up better for roasting or grilling but can be more bitter.
How to Store Asparagus
Asparagus can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two weeks between buying it and making them. I like to trim my asparagus right before cooking it. Store the asparagus in an inch or two of cold water and place it in the refrigerator. Read more about that here: How to Store Asparagus.
How to Cut Asparagus
When you are ready to eat your asparagus, follow these steps for cutting it.
Step 1: Give the Asparagus a Quick Rinse
Rinse the stalks under cold water to remove any dirt and debris. Set them on a clean paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Step 2: Snap the Ends of the Spears
Remove the lower part of the stems. Asparagus will tell you exactly how much to remove by bending it like in the photo below. It will break where the edible portion begins.
Step 3: Cut the Rest of the Stems
You can snap each stalk individually (this takes a little longer but is very satisfying) or cut them. Line them up with the snapped piece as a guide and use a sharp knife to cut the rest of the stalks. If you want the asparagus to all have a nice clean look, trim them once you’ve snapped them. Your trimmed asparagus is now ready to cook.
How To Cook Asparagus
Asparagus makes a delicious side dish or addition to many recipes! Here are a few of my favorite asparagus recipes.
If you follow these steps for how to store asparagus or make any of my recipes, I’d be so grateful if you came back and let me know how you enjoyed it!
How to Cut Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 cutting board
Instructions
- Rinse the asparagus to get rid of any dirt and debris.
- Using just one asparagus spear, bend the asparagus about an inch up from the bottom. The asparagus will snap right where the woody end begins and it needs to be trimmed.
- Use that asparagus to trim the rest. Line it up with the rest of the bunch and trim the asparagus all at once using that snapped asparagus as a guide.
LEAVE A COMMENT