Use it up · Vegetables

Asparagus

Have extra asparagus? Here’s how to choose, store and prep asparagus, plus 6 family recipes to use it all up, best matches first.

🍽 See the recipes 🧺 Pick a few things you have

🛒 Choosing it

Look for firm, straight spears with tight, closed tips.

Best season: Spring. Timing varies by region.

🧊 Storing it

Fridge: 3 to 4 days; stand the stems in an inch of water, or wrap the ends in a damp towel
Freezer: 12 months (blanch first)

Keep the fridge at 40°F or below and the freezer at 0°F. Freezer times are for best quality; food kept frozen at 0°F stays safe. When in doubt, throw it out. Times from Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

🔪 Prepping it

Snap or cut off the woody ends. Roast at 425°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

🌱 Grow it

You can grow your own: asparagus. The Food Garden Planner shows how much to plant for your family and when it comes in.

🌱 Plan a garden with it →

📊 Nutrition per 100 g

Asparagus. 100 g is about 3 1/2 ounces.

Calories	20 kcal	1%
Protein	2.2 g	4%
Total fat	0.1 g	0%
Saturated fat	0.0 g	0%
Total carbohydrate	3.9 g	1%
Dietary fiber	2.1 g	8%
Total sugars	1.9 g
Sodium	2.0 mg	0%
Calcium	24 mg	2%
Iron	2.1 mg	12%
Potassium	202 mg	4%

% Daily Value for adults (FDA). From USDA FoodData Central 168389 (SR Legacy).

🍽 Recipes that use it up

6 recipes, the ones that use the most asparagus first.

Plan them into your week in the meal planner, or find recipes for two or three things at once with the “What can I make?” picker.

Storage times and buying tips are general guides from the sources below; follow any date or instructions on the package. Cook meat, poultry, fish and eggs to the USDA safe temperatures in each recipe.