How to Freeze Asparagus
Don’t let that fresh asparagus go to waste in your fridge! Learn how to freeze asparagus so that you always have it on hand when you need it. It’s a great way to store an over abundance of asparagus so that it doesn’t go bad before you have a chance to use it.
How to Freeze Asparagus
There’s nothing more frustrating than forgetting veggies in your fridge. I always seem to remember that they are there after they’ve already spoiled, and by that point I can’t use them for any purpose.
So, that’s why I decided to learn how to freeze asparagus and other vegetables and fruits! You can easily preserve the quality of the asparagus by learning how to properly freeze it. Asparagus has so many wonderful nutritional benefits, and freezing preserves this healthy food perfectly.
Air fryer asparagus is a favorite side dish of mine! I love to pair it with simple protein meals like meatballs, and any other quick and easy weeknight meal like one pan chicken, potatoes and asparagus.
It’s great to know that I have fresh asparagus in the freezer for any moment that I need it! Healthy side dishes don’t have to be difficult to make. Just toss frozen asparagus spears in a little oil and seasoning and bake, grill or air fry. It’s as simple as that!
Why You’ll Love this Storage Method
With just a few easy steps, you can freeze fresh asparagus perfectly. Extend their shelf life and have fresh veggies whenever you need them. I’ve loved learning how to freeze corn on the cob for this exact reason. It’s just so helpful:
- This is an easy way to save some money! If you grow asparagus or often find it at your local farmers market, then you can stock up when it is in season and is a more affordable price. Then just freeze it to use at a later date.
- Much of the frozen vegetables that you find at the grocery store are not very fresh before frozen. Freezing your own asparagus is a great way to ensure that you are getting the best quality, and most fresh vegetables!
- Reduce food waste by freezing your extra asparagus. If you’ve had some of these veggies sitting in your fridge for a few days, then just go through the process of freezing them and then they won’t spoil before you can cook with them!
Ingredients
One simple ingredient is needed for this how-to — fresh asparagus! I like to stock up on veggies when they are in season and then freeze them for the fall and winter months when they are harder to find or are more expensive. And what is so easy about this method is that it doesn’t require fancy tools or special ingredients. So grab the freshest asparagus you can find during asparagus season and let’s get started:
- fresh asparagus: You can use this method with other veggies too! But when you plan to freeze asparagus, make sure that you find the most fresh and crisp bundle that you can. This will ensure the quality of the asparagus is maintained, even after being frozen and cooked. When freezing asparagus you want to make sure you have high quality asparagus with peak freshness. Avoid any that are limp, discolored or soft.
How to Freeze Asparagus
In just a few easy steps you can have asparagus frozen and packed away for whenever you need it. The freezing process is super simple, so just follow this step-by-step guide for everything you need to know:
Wash the raw asparagus well and then trim the tough ends off so that all that is left is the tender stalks. It will likely be the bottom 1-2 inches that need to be trimmed.
Bring a large pot of clean water to a boil. Once boiling, add the trimmed asparagus to the pot in batches as to not overcrowd the veggies. While the water is boiling, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
Blanch the asparagus in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Then remove each spear from the pot with tongs or a slotted spoon and place them into the ice water for about 3 minutes. This will shock the asparagus and stop it from cooking any further.
Pull the asparagus out of the ice bath and place into a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1-2 hours, or until completely frozen.
Then transfer the frozen asparagus to a freezer bag or airtight freezer containers. It is important to use freezer bags and containers in order to prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer for 6-8 months.
How to Cook Frozen Asparagus
You can cook frozen asparagus in the air fryer, oven, and even on the grill. Grilled asparagus is actually such a flavorful and fun side dish! It is not necessary to thaw frozen asparagus before cooking. Just toss it in oil and seasonings and cook until tender and flavorful.
You can chop up frozen asparagus to use in stir fries and pasta dishes too. So many useful ways to include frozen asparagus into your recipes!
What to Serve with Asparagus
Serve this tender and tasty veggie with hearty protein main courses like Greek yogurt marinated chicken and air fryer chicken drumsticks. It’s great alongside grilled favorites like grilled bruschetta chicken.
Make a super easy meal with asparagus and Instant Pot pork chops or slow cooker chicken thighs and dinner will be on the table before you know it.
Tips for Success
Follow these few basic tips to ensure the best turn-out when blanching and freezing fresh asparagus:
- Do not skip the blanching process! Unlike frozen green beans that can be frozen “raw”, unblanched asparagus cannot be frozen. This process helps to lock in the flavor, but also helps prevent soggy or mushy asparagus after freezing. Plus, it helps maintain that beautiful rich green color!
- Wash asparagus and lightly dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel in order to remove any dirt before blanching and freezing. It is important to do this so that you can maintain the quality of the frozen asparagus.
- Thicker spears may need longer blanching times, but be careful not to overcook your asparagus! It will turn a bright green color once it’s ready to go.
FAQ
It is not recommended to freeze unblanched asparagus. Blanching this vegetable helps to maintain the right texture and flavor once frozen and cooked.
After blanching, it is best to flash freeze asparagus before transferring to a container. This just means you’ll need to spread out the asparagus on a sheet pan and stick it into the freezer for a few hours. Once frozen, you can transfer to a freezer plastic bag or airtight container. This helps to ensure that the asparagus spears do not stick together in the freezer.
More Helpful Resources
How to Freeze Asparagus
Equipment
- Cutting Board
- Plastic Bags or Airtight container
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh asparagus
Instructions
- Wash and trim your asparagus to remove any dirt and then dry with paper towels. Trim off the tough ends of the spears, about 1-2 inches from the bottom.
- To blanch, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the asparagus to the pot in batches to not overcrowd it. Blanch for 2-3 minutes for standard size spears. While the water is boiling, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
- After 2-3 minutes, remove the asparagus with tongs and add to the ice water. This will shock the asparagus and stop it from cooking further. Allow to sit in ice water for roughly 3 minutes.
- Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1-2 hours or until completely frozen. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.