19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (2024)

Whether grilled, roasted, or baked—main dish or side—these best asparagus recipes will add spring flavor and loads of nutrients to your menu. With asparagus soup recipes, asparagus frittatas, and fried asparagus ideas, these fresh asparagus recipes will change the way you think about this versatile spring vegetable.

How To Grow Asparagus and Enjoy it Season After Season

01of 19

Panko Roasted Asparagus

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (1)

So simple yet so delicious, this easy asparagus recipe is a must-try side dish. A slather of mayo-Dijon sauce and a coating of crispy panko make this 6-ingredient roasted vegetable dish irresistible. Warning: It might be challenging not to eat the whole pan yourself!

02of 19

Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Supper

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (2)

Even though it tastes like a restaurant-quality dish, there's no time-consuming process for this, one of our best asparagus recipes for dinner. Just pop the stalks and some summer squash in the microwave as the chicken thighs sear up in a skillet. The whole recipe calls for six ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes!

03of 19

Asparagus Falafel

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (3)

Chickpeas alone shouldn't get to have all the falafel fun. This unique asparagus recipe proves that incorporating asparagus stalks into vegetarian patties is doable—and delicious. Blend asparagus spears with chickpeas and Mediterranean seasonings, coat in cornmeal, and bake for crispy yet far-from-greasy falafel.

18 Creative Chickpea Recipes That Aren't Just Hummus

04of 19

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (4)

Bacon and asparagus are culinary BFFs, and this roasted asparagus recipe reminds you why. You can have a gourmet side dish in less than 30 minutes and on one sheet pan. A sweet-spicy glaze with honey, cayenne pepper, and mustard contrasts the salty-savory bacon, and each stalk of asparagus is coated in all that goodness. (We don't know about you, but our mouths are already watering!)

05of 19

Asparagus-Tuna Casserole

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (5)

A vibrant mix of white, purple, and green asparagus transforms classic tuna casserole into a colorful springy entrée. The vitamin-packed vegetable adds texture to the creamy dish, while Kalamata olives contribute the perfect hint of saltiness to the tasty dinner idea with asparagus. Don't skip the Parmesan-spiked breadcrumbs—they offer a beautiful complementary crunch to the luscious casserole filling.

06of 19

Grilled Asparagus in Dill Butter

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (6)

Cracked black pepper, fresh dill, and minced garlic swirl into melted butter to drizzle over fresh asparagus spears. The simple side dish reigns supreme over other grilled asparagus recipes thanks to a shower of Parmesan cheese (and the fact that you need less than five ingredients to make it).

Test Kitchen Tip: For even doneness and browning, as you grill asparagus, line up the stalks along the grill rack and roll the spears often.

07of 19

Crab and Asparagus Frittata

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (7)

That's right; this baked asparagus recipe is brunch-ready with crab, veggies, and eggs. It might be the most decadent—but simplest—meal you'll ever make before noon. This egg recipe, featuring 1½ cups of asparagus and plenty of fresh herbs, makes a meal once you add a slice of toast or roasted potatoes.

13 Healthy Brunch Recipes To Step Up Your Go-to Meals Game

08of 19

Spaghetti with Seared Asparagus

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (8)

This creative asparagus recipe gives spaghetti night a whole new look. Skip your usual tomato sauce and top your noodles with white asparagus, hazelnuts, and panko bread crumbs. No one will even miss the meatballs (although you could absolutely serve some on the side or as a starter if you like!).

09of 19

Lamb Fatteh with Asparagus

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (9)

With all the ways to prepare it, asparagus has nearly endless possibilities in savory preparations. This sautéed asparagus recipe might be one of our favorites. Simmer the crispy spring spears in lamb broth until tender for this colorful dinner recipe that offers a Middle Eastern flavor.

22 Healthy Spring Dinner Ideas to Add Freshness to Your Plate

10of 19

Asparagus Noodle Bowl

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (10)

Bacon tiptoes from breakfast into dinner territory in this can't-be-missed one-pan meal. With white wine, garlic, and smoked paprika also in the mix, the healthy and fresh asparagus recipe is anything but bland. Tomato and chicken round out the hearty yet healthy-ish asparagus pasta dish.

11of 19

Asparagus Spring Rolls

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (11)

Switch up your party snack repertoire with fresh Asian spring rolls. Start by making the quick-pickled asparagus recipe, and while that marinates, prepare the herb-spiked eggs, hearty ham slices, and tangy lime aioli. After just 30 minutes of multitasking during pickling time, the easy asparagus recipe is ready to assemble. The results are impressive and delicious.

12of 19

Spring Green Smoothies

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (12)

File this under "unexpected things to do with asparagus." Blend it! Fresh asparagus adds sneaky nutrition to this healthy green smoothie recipe. Blitz the veggie with baby spinach, green grapes, and kiwi for a tasty way to get started on your five-a-day goal.

How to Make Smoothies from Your Favorite Fresh Ingredients

13of 19

Bacon-Asparagus Strata

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (13)

Start the morning right with a rich strata stuffed with bell peppers, asparagus, crispy bacon, and gooey cheese. To make this baked asparagus recipe as low-stress as possible while entertaining, assemble the entire breakfast entrée up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until it's time to bake. Then, morning brunch menu prep will be a breeze.

14of 19

Creamy Potato and Asparagus Soup

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (14)

We're giving spud soup a springtime makeover! To try it yourself, top the velvety potato-asparagus soup recipe with sautéed asparagus and crisp honey-drizzled bacon for a warming weeknight supper. The best part: These bowls are ready to serve in just 30 minutes.

How to Cook Bacon Perfectly 4 Ways and What Method Never to Use

15of 19

Asparagus Salad with Marinated Peas and Little Gem Lettuce

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (15)

As if you need another reason to eat your greens, this crisp asparagus salad recipe proves itself as a delicious, energy-boosting lunch option. Once you put an egg on it, this refreshing dish will inspire even the veggie-averse to dive in. The runny yolk from the poached eggs doubles the "dressing," too!

16of 19

Asparagus Fritter Sticks with Dill Mustard

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (16)

Ready for a whole new method for cooking asparagus? These crispy "fries" are actually lightly battered stalks of asparagus. Make your own by rolling asparagus spears in a light batter and sizzling them in a skillet. As those cook, mix Dijon-style mustard, honey, and dill for a tasty dipping sauce for the fried asparagus recipe.

Oven-Fried Veggies

17of 19

Ham and Asparagus Macaroni

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (17)

Comfort food alert! This hearty weeknight version of macaroni and cheese is all grown up. Adults will love the addition of tender asparagus, fresh dill, and paprika, while kids will appreciate its traditional cream sauce and the pieces of ham in this Parmesan asparagus recipe.

18of 19

Garlicky Baked Asparagus Flatbread

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (18)

Pizza night rarely looks this light and fresh. You'll make a big statement at your next get-together if you come bearing this unique baked asparagus recipe. Slather Parmesan sauce on purchased pizza dough before topping with mozzarella, yellow squash, garlic, and asparagus. Drizzle honey on top for an unexpected bit of sweetness.

19of 19

Fresh Asparagus Ribbon Salad

View Recipe

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (19)

This fresh asparagus recipe is a celebration of the veggie. A sharp vegetable peeler makes quick work of slicing large spears into ribbons in this elegant asparagus salad recipe. Mix in radish and cucumber slices before topping with a light, creamy chive dressing.

Buy It: OXO Prep Y-Peeler ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond)

19 Asparagus Recipe Ideas to Share With Even the Pickiest Eaters (2024)

FAQs

What is the best partner for asparagus? ›

Asparagus is excellent served with any type of dairy product, such as cheese (particularly Grana Padano or Parmigiano), butter and any sauces containing dairy produce or cream. - Asparagus and eggs. A great classic? Green asparagus, eggs and truffle.

What is a good accompaniment for asparagus? ›

It seems relatively mild foods are paired with asparagus usually. They will not overpower the rather subtle flavor of asparagus. Ham, white fish, mashed potatoes, and rice with nuts or water chestnuts are the usual accompaniments.

Does asparagus get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Does asparagus get softer the longer you cook it? Yes, it does. But you don't want to cook it too long or it will be soggy. That's fine when using in a soup, but not so much as a roasted side.

What flavors go well with asparagus? ›

Sweet foods, such as succulent scallops or shrimp, go well with the earthy, green flavors of springs' most famous sprout. But so do salty ingredients, such as bacon, prosciutto or a pungent blue cheese. Asparagus and nuts also marry well.

What should you not plant near asparagus? ›

There are two main crops to avoid growing alongside asparagus: Alliums. Alliums like leeks, garlic, and onion sharing the soil with asparagus are said to stunt its growth. That doesn't mean you have to choose between them: Just plant any alliums a good distance away from asparagus beds and they'll be fine.

What month is best to eat asparagus? ›

You will find the best asparagus during spring. Asparagus season usually starts around late February and goes until June, but the peak months are in April and May. There are many different varieties of asparagus but the three most widely found are green, white and purple.

What spice or herb goes well with asparagus? ›

Asparagus can be steamed, roasted, grilled, broiled, boiled, blanched, dried or pickled. Combines well with: garlic, lemon juice, nutmeg, honey. Fine herbs: rosemary, basil, dill, marjoram, Mediterranean oregano, thyme, cilantro, etc.

What are 2 appropriate methods of cooking asparagus? ›

Try roasting, sauteing, grilling and more to bring out the flavor in this crowd-pleasing vegetable. The harbinger of very early spring, asparagus stays in season through the summer. Its elegant, snappy stalks stand up well to a variety of preparations, including roasting, steaming, sautéing and grilling.

What are the rules of etiquette asparagus? ›

Post, who is writing the books; Emily Post has been dead for many years) goes on to say: ''Asparagus that has no hard end is eaten entirely with a fork. All hard ends should be cut off asparagus before serving it at a dinner party, since picking up stalks in the fingers is scarcely compatible with formal table manners.

What is the best way to cook asparagus? ›

Heat a skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cut 6 to 8 cleaned and trimmed medium asparagus spears into 2-inch lengths. Add olive oil or butter to pan; when hot, add asparagus, season generously with salt and pepper and cook about 3 to 4 minutes, until bright green, shaking or stirring the pan frequently.

What tastes better thin or thick asparagus? ›

Ferretti says there is little taste difference between thin and thick asparagus spears, but the thinner vegetables can be tougher to chew.

Why does asparagus make me feel good? ›

Asparagus is full of folate, a B vitamin that may lift your spirits and help ward off irritability. Research has found a connection between low levels of folate and vitamin B12 in people with depression.14 This finding leads some healthcare providers to prescribe daily doses of both vitamins to people with depression.

Does asparagus have a companion plant? ›

Peas. Peas grow well as a companion plant for asparagus, helping to maintain the moisture in the soil and keep it at the level that asparagus plants prefer for optimal growth.

What vegetables pair well with asparagus? ›

Cauliflower, fava beans, garlic, ginger, leek, lemon, lime, mushroom, onion, orange, pea, potato, radish, shallot, spinach, sugar snap peas.

What happens if you plant asparagus too close together? ›

Asparagus planted too close together will promote spindly and thin shoots that may not be strong enough to push through the surface. Cover the crowns with four to six inches of soil. If you're transplanting seedlings, cover them with soil halfway up stem.

How many asparagus plants per person? ›

Obviously, the amount of room you have in your landscape for planting will play a role in this. But, if space is not an issue, 10-20 plants per person is a good start. Since asparagus is a perennial crop, site selection is going to be important. It's not uncommon for asparagus plantings to last for 15+ years.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6187

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.