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Home » How to » Knife skills » How to cut asparagus

How to cut asparagus

Published: Jan 7, 2022 · Modified: Jan 25, 2022 by Dani ·

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Learn how to cut asparagus correctly and other ways you can cut it to use in your dishes. This tutorial will show you the best way to cut asparagus in 4 ways for your needs.

sliced asparagus on a chopping board.

How to select asparagus

When you are buying asparagus, look for firm spears with tight tips.

Asparagus is a spring vegetable but depending on your location, it can be available all year round although not in abundance.

Tool needed

A sharp knife 

Chopping board

Related posts: How long does ground beef last in the fridge and how long does tomato paste last in the fridge.

How to cut asparagus

First method: this method is best if you are only cutting a few and no equipment is required too.

There are two parts to asparagus, the woody part, and the edible part. The woody part is the bottom of the spear and you don’t want to eat that so you need to cut it off.

To do this, hold the asparagus in one hand, and with your other hand, bend it until it snaps. You are looking about 1 - ½ inches off the bottom of the vegetable just where the woody part ends. Don't worry it will snap off easily.

While this method seems easy, it can also lead to food waste, except you are a professional, you are likely not able to snap at the same spot for all the asparagus.

snapping asparagus.

Second method: This method is the best, it is easy and quick and you can cut as many as you want under 5 minutes. Line up the asparagus on a chopping board making sure they are all facing the same direction and the top of the spears are equal.

Using a sharp knife, cut off the woody end, usually about 1-1½ inches off. Cook the vegetable as desired.

cutting asparagus with a knife.

How to cut asparagus for stir fry

Method 3 and 4: If you would be stir-frying asparagus or using it in other recipes Such as soups, omelets, or frittatas, then you will have to slice it into other smaller sizes.

Cut it into halves or thirds or into chunks, for a better presentation, cut it at an angle. See photos for reference.

cutting asparagus in halves.

How to store asparagus

The best way to store asparagus at home from drying out is to keep it in the fridge in a jar filled with water at the bottom.

Cut the woody end of your asparagus, place it in the mason jar, add water to the jar, about 1 inch then cover the jar loosely with a clear plastic bag. It will remain fresh in the fridge for 4-7 days. This will help prevent them from going limp or moldy before they are used.

To prolong the life of asparagus you can freeze it. Blanch for about 1-3 minutes followed by a quick ice bath. Flash freeze for up to 2 hours or until frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 1 year.

How to cook asparagus

There are different ways to cook this fibrous vegetable, it can be steamed, boiled, roasted, air fried, or oven-baked. Whichever way you choose to cook asparagus, make sure that you do not overcook it. depending on the cooking method you choose, it will typically cook anywhere from 3 to 7 minutes.

Remember to cut off the woody ends of your asparagus spears before cooking them. Do not discard these ends but instead use them to make vegetable stock!

asparagus and knife on a chopping board.

FAQs

Do I have to peel to asparagus

No this is not necessary, most of the nutrients are in the skin. However, if the stalk is thick then you might want to peel off the skin using a vegetable peeler

How do I know the woody part of the asparagus

The woody part is the lightest part of asparagus, usually at the bottom.

More how-to tutorial 

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a hand cutting a bunch of asparagus with a knife.

How To Cut Asparagus

Dani
Learn how to cut asparagus correctly and other ways you can cut it to use in your dishes. This tutorial will show you the best way to cut asparagus in 4 ways for your needs.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 0 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, British
Servings 2

Equipment

  • Sharp knife and chopping board

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound asparagus

Instructions
 

Method 1

  • Hold the asparagus in one hand, and with your other hand, bend it until it snaps. You are looking about 1 - ½ inches off the bottom of the vegetable just where the woody part ends. It should snap off naturally with little to no effort.

Method 2

  • Line up the asparagus on a chopping board making sure they are all facing the same direction and the top of the spears are equal.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut off the woody end, usually about 1-1½ inches off. Cook the vegetables as desired.

How to cut asparagus for stir fry

  • Cut it into halves or thirds or into chunks, for a better presentation, cut it at an angle. See photos for reference.
Keyword how to cut asparagus, how to cut asparagus for stir fry

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