How to Store Asparagus (3 ways)

How to Store Asparagus (3 ways)

With these simple tips, you can keep asparagus fresh and flavorful. Whether you store them in the refrigerator, upright in water, or freeze them, you can always enjoy delicious asparagus.

Type: side dish

Cuisine: European

Keywords: asparagus, store, how to

Recipe Yield: 1

Preparation Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Recipe Ingredients:

  • asparagus

Recipe Instructions: Method 1: Store in the refrigerator Trim: Start by trimming about 1-2 inches off the ends of the asparagus spears to remove the tough and woody part of the stalks. Wash: Thoroughly wash the asparagus under cold running water to remove dirt or debris. Bundle: Bundle the trimmed asparagus spears together and wrap the ends with a damp paper towel to maintain the right humidity level. Store: If possible, store the asparagus in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator to take advantage of the cold temperature that slows down enzymatic activity and prevents drying out. Enjoy: Your Asparagus will stay fresh for a few days. Method 2: Standing Upright in Water Trim: Start by trimming the ends of the asparagus spears, removing the tough and woody part of the stalk. Water: Fill a tall glass or a jar with water about halfway. Stand: Place the trimmed asparagus spears upright in the water, with only the bottom half submerged and the rest above the waterline. Humidity: To maintain the right humidity level, cover the asparagus and the container with a plastic bag or wrap it with plastic wrap, creating a mini greenhouse effect. Store: Store the asparagus in the refrigerator, and change the water every two days to ensure freshness. Your asparagus will stay hydrated and fresh for up to a week or even longer. Method 3: Freezing for Long-term Storage Trim: Start by trimming about 1-2 inches off the ends of the asparagus spears and wash them thoroughly under cold running water. Blanch: Blanch the asparagus spears in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, depending on their thickness, to preserve their color, flavor, and nutrients while killing any bacteria. Ice bath: Transfer the blanched asparagus to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Pat dry: Pat the asparagus dry and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label and freeze: Label the container/bag with the date and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Editor's Rating:
5

If you’re anything like us, you can’t resist the crunchy, flavorful goodness of fresh asparagus. But did you know that how you store asparagus can make all the difference in preserving their vibrant taste and texture? Fear not, for we’ve got you covered with our ultimate tips on how to store asparagus. These 3 ways all ensure your asparagus stay their best for as long as possible. 

❓ Why it’s Important to Store Asparagus Properly

Asparagus is a delicate vegetable sensitive to temperature, moisture, and air exposure. If you store asparagus the right way, it can prevent asparagus from losing its freshness, become wilted, and lose its natural sweetness and crunchiness. That is a waste, and it can be easily prevented. 

🌱 Tips for Selecting Fresh Asparagus

Before we dive into the storing methods, it’s good to note that when it comes to selecting asparagus, freshness is key. Look for firm asparagus spears that have tightly closed tips. The color should be bright green, with no signs of wilting or yellowing.

Avoid asparagus that appear slimy or has a strong odor (this means they are spoiled already!).

Asparagus on a white colored wooden cutting board positioned next to each other.

📃 The Best Ways to Store Asparagus For a Few Days

The best method to store asparagus is in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures help slow down the enzymatic activity that causes asparagus to spoil, while humidity prevents it from drying out. 

Step 1.
Start by trimming about 1-2 inches off the ends of the asparagus spears. This removes the tough and woody part of the stalk, ensuring that only the fresh and tender part is stored. Then, wash the asparagus thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 2.
Bundle the trimmed asparagus spears together and wrap the ends with a damp paper kitchen towel. This helps maintain the right humidity level around the spears, keeping them fresh and crisp. Store the asparagus in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator.

🍃 The Best Way to Store Asparagus for a Week (or longer!)

Another easy but effective way to store asparagus is by standing them upright in water (like flowers). This method helps to keep the asparagus hydrated and fresh, and it’s incredibly easy to do and personally, my go-to way to store asparagus.

Step 1.
Just like the refrigerator method, start by trimming the ends of the asparagus spears.

Step 2.
Fill a tall glass or a jar with water (about halfway), and place the trimmed asparagus spears upright in the water. Make sure that only the bottom half is in the water while the rest of the spears are above the waterline.

Step 3.
To maintain the right level of humidity, cover the asparagus with a reusable plastic bag or wrap it with plastic wrap. This creates a mini greenhouse effect that keeps the asparagus fresh.

Step 4.
Place the jar with the asparagus in the refrigerator and store it for up to a week or even longer. Change the water every two days to ensure freshness.

🧊 How to Freeze Asparagus (for long-term storage)

If you have an abundance of asparagus and want to store them for a long time, freezing is a good option. Although freezing can alter the texture of asparagus, it’s still a great way to preserve its flavor and nutritional value. Here’s how you can freeze asparagus:

Step 1.
Start by trimming about 1-2 inches off the ends of the asparagus spears. Then, wash the asparagus thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 2.
Blanch the asparagus spears in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, depending on their thickness. Blanching helps to preserve the color, flavor, and nutrients of asparagus while killing any bacteria that may be present.

Step 3.
Transfer the asparagus to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

Step 4.
Pat dry and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Asparagus with the ends trimmed off on a white colored wooden cutting board next to a small knife.

📗 Expert Tips

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • Avoid exposing asparagus to air and moisture for extended periods of time, as it can cause wilting and spoilage.
  • Don’t store asparagus near ethylene-producing fruits, such as apples, bananas, or tomatoes, as they can speed up the ripening process and cause asparagus to spoil quickly.
  • If you can, try not to overcrowd the asparagus in the refrigerator, as it can lead to condensation and spoilage.
  • Trim the ends of the asparagus before storing.
  • And finally, the optimal temperature for storing asparagus is around 39°F (4°C). This temperature helps to slow down enzymatic activity and prevent spoilage.

🍲 Asparagus Recipe Ideas

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📖 Recap

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A mason jar filled with water with trimmed asparagus in it.

How to Store Asparagus (3 ways)

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  • Author: Bianca
  • Total Time: 5
  • Method: fridge / freezer

Description

With these simple tips, you can keep asparagus fresh and flavorful. Whether you store them in the refrigerator, upright in water, or freeze them, you can always enjoy delicious asparagus.


Ingredients

  • fresh asparagus spears

Instructions

Method 1: Store in the refrigerator

  1. Trim: Start by trimming about 1-2 inches off the ends of the asparagus spears to remove the tough and woody part of the stalks.
  2. Wash: Thoroughly wash the asparagus under cold running water to remove dirt or debris.
  3. Bundle: Bundle the trimmed asparagus spears together and wrap the ends with a damp paper towel to maintain the right humidity level.
  4. Store: If possible, store the asparagus in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator to take advantage of the cold temperature that slows down enzymatic activity and prevents drying out.
  5. Enjoy: Your Asparagus will stay fresh for a few days.

Method 2: Standing Upright in Water

  1. Trim: Start by trimming the ends of the asparagus spears, removing the tough and woody part of the stalk.
  2. Water: Fill a tall glass or a jar with water about halfway.
  3. Stand: Place the trimmed asparagus spears upright in the water, with only the bottom half submerged and the rest above the waterline.
  4. Humidity: To maintain the right humidity level, cover the asparagus and the container with a plastic bag or wrap it with plastic wrap, creating a mini greenhouse effect.
  5. Store: Store the asparagus in the refrigerator, and change the water every two days to ensure freshness.
  6. Your asparagus will stay hydrated and fresh for up to a week or even longer.

Method 3: Freezing for Long-term Storage

  1. Trim: Start by trimming about 1-2 inches off the ends of the asparagus spears and wash them thoroughly under cold running water.
  2. Blanch: Blanch the asparagus spears in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, depending on their thickness, to preserve their color, flavor, and nutrients while killing any bacteria.
  3. Ice bath: Transfer the blanched asparagus to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
  4. Pat dry: Pat the asparagus dry and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
  5. Label and freeze: Label the container/bag with the date and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • Always remember to trim the ends of the asparagus before storing it to ensure freshness and flavor!
  • Is the temperature of your refrigerator cold enough? The optimal temperature for storing asparagus is around 4°C (39°F), which is the typical temperature setting of a regular refrigerator. Storing asparagus at this temperature helps slow down enzymatic activity and prevent spoilage, keeping the asparagus fresh and crisp for longer.

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