How To Roast Asparagus
Baked asparagus comes out crispy and flavorful! You can blanch before roasting, but its not necessary in my opinion, as long as you cook long enough to tenderize the stalks.
Roasted Asparagus Recipe to try: Crispy Garlic Roasted Asparagus
What Size Asparagus To Use
Asparagus comes in many different sizes . You can cook any size in the Instant Pot, but a larger stock is going to be easiest to perfect. They dont all need to be the exact same diameter, but get as close as you can.
Pencil thin asparagus is harder to cook to perfection in the Instant Pot because its so thin. With medium stock asparagus, like the ones pictured above, you set the cook time to zero. But its not possible to set the cook time to anything less than zero, so pencil thin asparagus may get over cooked. It really depends on how you like to eat your asparagus. If you want it to be tender but still a little crisp, it might be impossible in the IP.
With larger stocks of asparagus, youd set the cook time to 2 minutes. Also, if you want your asparagus to turn out tender with no crisp or snap left to then, you can set the time to 2 minutes, or allow a longer natural pressure release.
More Pressure Cooker Recipe Inspiration Ahead
Sausage and Peppers in a Pressure cooker are heavenly and perfect for any season. Add a side of Pressure Cooker Macaroni and Cheese and youve got a wonderful meal. For those that love their Ribs and Corn on the Cob, you will love your pressure cooker even more after preparing this meat and veggie recipe series.
Large gatherings need Ham. I have 2 different Instant Pot Ham recipes. One is the Best Instant Pot Honey Glaze Ham and the other is Best Instant Pot Honey Glaze Ham with a 7 pound Ham Bone IN!
Of course, you will need to know how to make an Instant Pot Sling and some basic tips for cooking with an Instant Pot too! Have fun and enjoy cooking in Your Pressure Cooker! ~Dana XO
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How Do You Cook Asparagus In A Pressure Cooker
Cooking asparagus in a pressure cooker is so easy! Start by thoroughly washing your asparagus and trimming off the thick stalks. Then, place the asparagus on the rack inside the instant pot.
If you have a 6 quart instant pot, add 1.5 cups water. If you have an 8 quart instant pot, add 2 cups water.
Next, I like to add a few slices of lemon to the water. This is entirely optional but I just find the subtle hint of lemon on asparagus to be the perfect combination!
Finally, lock the lid in place with the valve set to Seal. Select the Steam setting and set for two minutes. Yes, you read that right two minutes! The instant pot will take some time to build pressure and at that time will begin cooking. So, it doesnt need much time actually steaming.
When the timer goes off, move the valve to quick release and your asparagus will be perfectly cooked every time!
Time And Settings To Cook Asparagus In Instant Pot
After cooking Asparagus several times in the Instant Pot with different settings, thickness and times I have realized for best results,
Pencil Thin Asparagus : Low Pressure 0 minutes followed by Quick Release.
Medium Asparagus : Low Pressure 1 minute followed by Quick Release.
Thick Asparagus : Low pressure 2 minutes followed by Quick Release.
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Recipes To Add Asparagus To
The methods listed above are great when it comes to cooking asparagus on its own for a side dish. But there are more ways to use asparagusyou can also incorporate it into dishes like salads, pastas and stir-fries.
We love this Fontina Asparagus Tart, Radish Asparagus Salad and Feta Asparagus Frittata. For something creamy, try these asparagus soup recipes!
A Favorite Sides Made In The Instant Pot
When cooked properly, asparagus is flavorful and delicious. Asparagus is a nutrient packed veggie with a lot of fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, E, K. This is a great and healthy vegetable choice.
The kids love to eat these tender spears because they look like miniature trees! Asparagus has a very unique flavor that can be described as bright and clean with earthy undertones. The flavor is very mild when the spears are fresh, but can be bitter or sour if it is past its prime or overcooked.
Asparagus is a great side to fish or as a holiday side dish alongside some of these great dishes: mashed potatoes, ham glaze, or buttery pull apart rolls.
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Pin This Instant Pot Asparagus Recipe
Instant Pot Asparagus is fresh tasting, and the lemon butter sauce is delicious over it. This is a perfect vegetable side dish for your Holiday meal, or with salmon.
- 1bunchFresh Asparagus,about 10 oz
- 1/2cupWater
- 1cloveGarlic,minced
- 1/4tspSalt
- 2-4tspFresh Lemon Juice
- 1/4cupGrated Parmesan Cheese
Make sure your asparagus fit in the pot. Trim the ends to make them fit.
Add the water and butter to the pot. Also add garlic, if using.
Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial. Then press the +/- button or dial to select 1 minute. Select 0 minutes for thinner asparagus*, or for crisper results .
When the butter is melted and the water is hot, add the asparagus, laying half in the pot, and the other half crossways over the first layer. You don’t need a steamer rack, it is optional.
Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position. The pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure.
As soon as the cooking cycle is finished, turn the steam release knob to the Venting position. When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
Use tongs to gently take the asparagus out of the pot onto a plate.
Add the salt and lemon juice to the liquid in the pot. Taste and adjust salt and/or lemon juice as needed.
Stir in the parmesan and then spoon mixture over the asparagus.
Serve immediately.
*If your asparagus is really thin, or you like it a little crisper, try using LOW pressure to avoid overcooking it.
How Do I Steam Asparagus In An Instant Pot
Steaming vegetables in the Instant Pot requires a steamer basket or rack. You will always need some sort of liquid, either a cup of water, chicken broth or vegetable stock when operating your Instant Pot. Once the asparagus is cleaned and ends removed place asparagus in the steamer basket.
Make sure when you fit the steamer rack inside the pot it is elevated enough to keep the asparagus out of the liquid. Set the timer for 0 minutes by pressing the minus button. Make sure that the valve is in the “sealing position”. The Instant Pot will steam the asparagus in just the time that it needs to get to pressure.
After the cooking time ends you will need to immediately release pressure so that the asparagus will stop cooking. You can do this by carefully pushing the valve to the venting position. Using the quick release method is faster than using the natural release and stops the steaming process immediately.
Remove the cooked asparagus from the Instant Pot and place in a serving bowl or platter. At this point you can add a drizzle of olive oil, lemon zest or lemon juice for flavoring.
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How Do You Select Asparagus
Asparagus comes in different sizes, ranging from thin asparagus spears to thick stalks. I focus more on the freshness than the size of the asparagus. When at the grocery store selecting the spears look for ones that are not too dry at the ends and that the flower ends are still closed. Keep in mind that asparagus can be found any time of the year, but if you want to get the freshest asparagus check for your your local growing season.
Is It Better To Cook Or Steam Asparagus
Asparagus is usually steamed whole, but if desired, it can be steamed cut into small pieces. Whether you are steaming whole or chopping, place the asparagus in the evaporator insert and place on boiling water. Cover and cook until the asparagus is soft, 4-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus stems.
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Instant Pot Asparagus Recipe
This spring vegetable is versatile and can be cooked on the stovetop, in the oven or pressure cooker. It a very simple vegetable and it doesnt require much to bring it to life. You only need a few pantry staple ingredients and if you would like to make it fancy, finish it with a squeeze of lemon, melted butter, olive oil or parmesan cheese. If time is not of an essence, I like to serve it with some homemade parsley sauce.
Cooking this vegetable is an instant pot is very similar to cooking it on the stove top. I would say it takes about the same time to cook considering the time the instant pot would come to pressure. Steaming asparagus in an instant pot guarantees a fresh and delicious tasting vegetable. Asparagus I healthy, packed with nutrients, antioxidants and low in calorie. A cup of the vegetable is about 27calories and it low in fat and high in fibre.
How To Make Asparagus Soup In The Instant Pot:
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Serving Storing And Reheating
Steamed veggies are lightly seasoned so they will pair nicely with any main dish. I highly recommend to prep veggies but coo kthem last minute because fresh is best with Instant Pot steamed vegetables.
Serve on the side of:
- Chicken: With seasoned, coated in almond flour and crispy almond chicken or healthy fried chicken for a nice balance. Steamed veggies will also pair nicely with spicy saucy chicken curry served over plain rice.
- Beef & lamb: Try freshly cooked veggies with sirloin tip roast or boneless leg of lamb roast.
Store: Once cooled completely, these will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Upon thawing, however, you may find them very mushy.
Reheat: To reheat steamed veggies there are a few different ways. You could toss them in the oven at a low temperature to warm them through, pop them in the microwave, or heat them on the stovetop, using a bit of oil or butter.
When Is Asparagus Season
Although it’s available all year round, spring is when you can relish the best harvested crops. Depending on your location, the warmer states in America will start seeing freshly harvested Asparagus from Late February to June. However the colder states in America they are in season from March to April. In Canada it’s April To July. While here in Germany, the Asparagus season is from April to June.
No farmer’s market in Germany is complete with Asparagus that time of the year.
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How To Blanch Asparagus:
Once its blanched, you can eat it, move onto the next step in cooking, add it to another recipe, or prepare it to freeze.
How Does The Steam Rack Fit In The Instant Pot
The steam rack needs to fit perfectly inside the Instant Pot. The important thing to remember is that you must fill the bottom with water or broth and keep the steam rack holding the vegetables elevated above the liquid. This will produce the steam that will cook them without getting soggy. This method can be used for any green vegetable like green beans or broccoli.
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Is Thick Or Thin Asparagus Better
In supermarkets, shoppers will see thin spears of asparagus bunched and marketed as tender gourmet style, says Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops. In reality, spears that are larger than a half-inch in diameter are more tender and higher in soluble fiber and vitamins than the thinner spears.
Ingredients For Steamed Veggies In Instant Pot
This Instant Pot steamed vegetables recipe is as flexible as you need it to be! Use any veggies you like and only 3 other ingredients! As easy to make as Instant Pot eggs and Instant Pot yogurt recipe.
- Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, baby carrots, green beans, asparagus, zucchini coarsely chopped.
- Water: You want the water cold, to heat up along with the veggies. Adding hot water will steam the veggies too quickly. See my Instant Pot guide for other 15 tips.
- Butter: Adding melted butter to steamed veggies is drool-worthy. Its the only way to eat them!
- Everything bagel seasoning: To taste. Add as much or as little as youd like. You can use store-bought or whip up this homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning.
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How To Cook Asparagus In The Instant Pot
STEP. 1 Make sure your asparagus fit in the pot. Trim the ends to make them fit.
STEP. 2 Place a steam basket or the trivet. Add the cup of water, place the asparagus in the steam basket.
STEP. 3 Place the lid on the pot and lock it in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position . Press STEAM and the + or – button to choose 0 minutes. The pot will take a few minutes to build up the pressure before the timer starts.
STEP. 4 When the cooking cycle has finished, then do a Quick Release of the pressure by turning the knob towards the Venting position . When the metal pin in the lid drops down, you can open the lid facing away from you.
STEP. 5 Lift the steamer basket out of the Instant Pot and place asparagus in a serving bowl.
Have you ever wonder how to buy the best-looking asparagus and how to keep them fresh longer well, here are some helpful tips.
How To Cook Instant Pot Asparagus With Garlic Lemon Pepper
Pressure cooking Asparagus in the Instant Pot is sure easy. It’s literally a dump and go recipe.Here is just a gist of the steps involved in the recipe. You can find the measurements and details in the recipe card below.
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How To Make Asparagus In The Instant Pot
Its very easy to make asparagus or any type of veggie in the Instant Pot. Youre basically going to add the asparagus and seasoning then pressure cook for 0 minutes. Yes, ZERO minutes!
Here are more details:
