Enjoy the flavor of fresh asparagus year-round without much effort using your slow cooker. This simple side dish only takes five minutes to prepare then your slow cooker does the rest of the work. The best part is, no more soggy asparagus when you make this easy recipe in your slow cooker.
Slow cooking ensures that all the fresh flavors are captured and brought together in this delicious and easy make-ahead side dish.
Want to learn more about food prep tips and kitchen hacks, be sure to visit my Kitchen Tips.
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Why cook asparagus in a slow cooker?
- If you do not want mushy asparagus, using a crock pot is a great way to cook it so that it is soft and tender.
- The next time you need a side dish for special occasions, such as Easter, you can free up your oven for other recipes by cooking in your slow cooker.
- Prep time is only 5 minutes of your time. Then set the slow cooker and move on to other cooking tasks.
- Slow-cooker asparagus is a tasty way to make a healthy low carb side dish.
Tips For Buying Fresh Asparagus
The freshest asparagus is usually found at your local grocery store or farmers market in the spring. However, fresh imported asparagus is readily available year-round.
- Examine the stalks: Fresh asparagus should have firm, straight stalks that are not limp or wilted. Be sure the tips are tightly closed and not spread out. If the tips are open, chances are you have overgrown woody asparagus. If there are any slime or mushy spots, don't buy them.
- Color: Good fresh asparagus should be a vibrant green vegetable. If the stalks are yellowing or have brown spots, they are likely old and less tasty. Only buy asparagus that has a bright green color.
- Stalk size: Choose stalks that are just a litter bigger than a #2 pencil. Thicker stalks have a milder flavor, while thinner stalks are more delicate and have a sweeter taste.
- Smell: Good fresh asparagus should have a slightly earthy scent, not sour.
How much asparagus is in a pound?
⚖️ One pound of fresh asparagus equals 30 to 40 small, 20 to 30 standard, or 12 to 18 large untrimmed spears.
How To Clean and Cut Fresh Asparagus
1. To begin, spray the asparagus with Fit Organic Soap. This will help wash off unsanitary issues in growing, transit, and customer handling at the grocery store. Then rinse the asparagus under cold running water. This will remove any dirt or sand. Pay careful attention to the tops, as dirt can hide in the asparagus tips. Pat dry.
- To begin, rinse the asparagus under cold running water. This will remove any dirt or sand. Pay careful attention to the tops, as dirt can hide in the asparagus tips. Pat dry.
- Hold the asparagus spear near the bottom, where the tough part of the stem meets the tender part. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, gently slice off the tough end of the stem and discard to a compost bucket.
- Depending on the desired end result, you can either slice the asparagus into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole
- You can also peel the outer layer of the asparagus stem if it is tough or woody. To do this, simply hold the asparagus spear near the bottom. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outer layer, rotating around the spear as you go.
- Once the asparagus is cleaned and cut, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Tip: How to Keep Asparagus Fresh
⭐️The best way to keep asparagus fresh for up to a week is to trim the ends off about 1/4 inch. Place the ends of your asparagus in a glass canning jar with 2 to 3 inches of fresh water. Place the jar of asparagus in your refrigerator door. Change the water every few days.
Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients to bring out the springtime flavor of fresh asparagus.
Before cooking
- Asparagus: Review my tips on how to pick the best fresh asparagus spears.
- Vegetable broth: (You could use chicken broth if you prefer)
- Butter: For the best flavor, use real butter, not margarine.
- Lemon juice: Do not use a jar of lemon juice. Buy a lemon and squeeze it fresh for the best taste.
After cooking sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Butter: Be sure to only use real butter for the best flavor.
- Lemon zest
- Parmesan cheese
- Thin lemon slices for garnish
📝 Complete ingredients and measurements are in the recipe card below.
Instructions
1. To begin, spray the asparagus with Fit Organic Soap. This will help wash off unsanitary issues in growing, transit, and customer handling at the grocery store. Wash under cold water. Be sure to get any sand or dirt out of the tips.
2. Trim off the woody ends of the asparagus.
3. Pour vegetable broth into an oval-shaped crockpot.
4. Add butter and lemon juice from ½ a lemon.
5. Place the fresh asparagus into an oval-shaped slow cooker. If some stalks are too long, trim them, so they fit the length of the crock pot. It's ok for the stalks to lay on top of each other.
6. Place the lid on the slow cooker. Be sure it has a tight seal. You want the chicken broth to steam the asparagus.
7. Cook on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Note total time might vary slightly depending on the age and brand of your slow cooker.
8. When cooking time is done, remove the asparagus with a spatula. Slice the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into four pieces and lay them onto the asparagus. Salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese and lemon zest on top and serve. Garnish with fresh lemon slices.
Leftovers
- If you have leftovers,t place the cooked asparagus in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing leftover cooked asparagus will yield a mushy stalk once thawed. For this reason, I suggest not freezing leftover cooked asparagus.
How to use leftover cooked asparagus
- Slice cooked asparagus into 1-inch pieces and toss into a fresh salad or a pasta salad.
- Cut asparagus and add to soups.
- Make Lemon Pepper Marinade and marinate overnight. Perfect for one of these healthy charcuterie boards.
- For breakfast, use in frittatas, omelets, or this Asparagus Tart.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
If you enjoy using your slow cooker, you will want to be sure and visit my slow cooker recipes page.
#️⃣ Need to make a big batch? I can help. In the recipe card below, all you have to do is tap 2X to double or 3x to triple this recipe. The amounts for each ingredient will change, then hit the print button. Or, if you prefer, slide over the sleep mode tab to prevent your phone screen from going dark. It's that easy!
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. This helps others find great recipes.
Recipe
Crisp Slow Cooker Asparagus
Note:
To save you ink, video and equipment images will not print.
Equipment
Ingredients
Cooking
- 2 pounds asparagus fresh asparagus spears
- 1 3/4 cup vegtable broth You could use vegetable broth if you prefer
- 2 tablespoons butter cut into 4 pieces
- 1 tablespoon lemon jucie Be sure to only use freshly squeezed not bottled
After cooking seasoning
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter cut into 4 even sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese fine, shredded
- 1/2 lemon cut into thin slices for garnish
Need an ingredient to make this recipe? Click this Instacart button and get what you need sent right to you.
Instructions
Cooking
- To begin, spray the asparagus with Fit Organic Soap. This will help wash off unsanitary issues in growing, transit, and customer handling at the grocery store. Wash under cold water being sure to get any sand or dirt out of the tips.
- Trim off the woody ends of the asparagus.2 pounds asparagus
- Pour vegetable broth into an oval-shaped crockpot.1 3/4 cup vegtable broth
- Add butter and lemon juice.2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon lemon jucie
- Place the fresh asparagus into an oval-shaped slow cooker. If some stalks are too long, trim them, so they fit the length of the crock pot. It's ok for the stalks to lay on top of each other.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Be sure it has a tight seal. You want the vegetable broth to steam the asparagus.
- Cook on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Note total time might vary slightly depending on the age and brand of your slow cooker.
- When cooking time is done, remove the asparagus with a spatula to a serving plate.
After cooking seasoning
- Slice 2 tablespoons of butter into four pieces and lay them on top of the asparagus.2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste.salt, black pepper
- Sprinkle freshly shredded parmesan cheese and lemon zest on top of the asparagus. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and serve.1 teaspoon lemon zest, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, 1/2 lemon
Need an item in the this recipe? Click the Instacart button and have it sent right to you.
Notes
- To begin, rinse the asparagus under cold running water. This will remove any dirt or sand. Pay careful attention to the tops, as dirt can hide in the asparagus tips. Pat dry.
- Hold the asparagus spear near the bottom, where the tough part of the stem meets the tender part. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, gently slice off the tough end of the stem and discard to a compost bucket.
- Depending on the desired end result, you can either slice the asparagus into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole.
- You can also peel the outer layer of the asparagus stem if it is tough or woody. To do this, simply hold the asparagus spear near the bottom. Use a vegetable peeler to peel off the outer layer, rotating around the spear as you go.
- Once the asparagus is cleaned and cut, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
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