How to Freeze Asparagus

Don't let your asparagus go to waste! If you have more fresh spears than you can handle, consider freezing them to extend their lifespan. Plus, it couldn't be easier to freeze asparagus — you just need to follow a series of simple steps.

How to Freeze Asparagus

Prep the Asparagus For Freezing

There are a few things you need to take care of before freezing asparagus:

• Sort through the bunch and throw out any shriveled, soggy, or brown spears.
• Using a colander, wash the remaining asparagus spears under running water. Dry thoroughly.
• Trim the hard, woody ends with a knife. If the bottoms are uneven, you can shave them with a vegetable peeler.

Blanch the Asparagus

Now it's time to blanch and shock the asparagus. Here's how:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Fill a large mixing bowl with ice water.
3. Boil the asparagus for two to four minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears. If your spears aren't all the same size, sort them according to size and blanch in batches.
4. Quickly drain the asparagus and transfer it to the ice bath to stop the cooking.
5. Dry the spears with a clean towel. Make sure the asparagus is totally dry before you move onto the next step.

Freeze the Asparagus

Almost done! Follow these simple steps to properly freeze your asparagus:

1. Depending on how you plan to use the frozen asparagus later, you can leave the spears whole or cut them into smaller pieces.
2. Arrange the asparagus in an even layer on a baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet and freeze for at least two hours.
3. Transfer the now-frozen asparagus to freezer bags labeled with the date. They'll stay ready-to-use for eight months to a year.

How to Thaw Asparagus

You don't need to thaw asparagus. Nine times out of 10, it's perfectly fine to cook the asparagus from frozen. In fact, thawing might cause the veggie to lose its crispness. If you must thaw frozen asparagus, transfer it to the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on the microwave.

How to Use Frozen Asparagus

There are endless delicious ways to put frozen asparagus to good use. For instance:

• Grill it. Toss the asparagus in olive oil, grill it, then season it to taste. If you're looking for delicious inspiration, try one of Our Best Grilled Asparagus Recipes.
• Throw it into a stir-fry. Stir-fry asparagus by itself or toss 1-inch pieces in your favorite stir-fried rice recipe.
• Mix it into casseroles, quiches, or soups. If your casserole, quiche, or soup is in need of a little greenery, go ahead and toss some frozen asparagus in there.

Explore our entire collection of Asparagus Recipes.

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• 15 Asparagus Pasta Recipes You'll Want to Make on Repeat