The Perfect Pantry's 101 favorite asparagus recipes (updated)
First published in 2012, this updated collection of great asparagus recipes now includes recipes from the past four years that are more than worthy of a place on any "best of" list.
Once upon a time, I had a friend named Mary who ate only the tips of asparagus. I've always been more of a stem gal, so we were the perfect dinner companions. I thought our friendship might last forever, but as things turned out, asparagus preferences weren't enough to keep us together. Just as well, actually, as I've come to love every bit of the asparagus, and now I'd be reluctant to behead all of my spears for the sake of friendship.
Asparagus season here in New England lasts for only six or seven weeks, beginning in late April or early May (I hope it's early after this mild Northeast winter), and whatever makes it to the Spring farmer's market gets snapped up soon after the opening bell. Buy as much as you can; you can freeze asparagus, though the texture of thawed fresh asparagus is a bit googly. However, the flavor remains, and the frozen spears are perfect in hot or cold soups, or risotto.
Appetizers
1. Asparagus wonton wraps with hoisin, wasabi or mustard filling, from The Perfect Pantry
2. Roasted asparagus hummus, from The Perfect Pantry
3. Asparagus tapenade, from A Veggie Venture
4. Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, from Gluten Free Easily
5. Japanese beef rolls with scallion, asparagus, and enoki mushrooms, from Seasaltwithfood
6. Bacon wrapped asparagus breadsticks, from Noble Pig
7. Crispy parmesan asparagus sticks, from How Sweet It Is
8. Grilled potato rounds with pesto and shaved asparagus, from The Culinary Chase
Salads
9. Quinoa rainbow salad with asparagus, feta, and orange tarragon vinaigrette, from The Perfect Pantry
10. Baby chard salad with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and hot bacon vinaigrette, from Andrea Meyers
11. Ribboned asparagus salad with lemon, from Smitten Kitchen
12. Asparagus Caesar salad, from A Thought for Food
13. Farro salad with asparagus, red bell pepper, and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, from Kalyn's Kitchen
14. Asparagus basil salad, from Elana's Pantry
15. Spring orzo pasta salad with asparagus and artichokes, from Food for My Family
16. Shaved asparagus salad with balsamic syrup and almonds, from Cookin' Canuck
17. Chinese sesame asparagus salad, from Blue Kitchen
18. Chicken, fennel and asparagus salad, from Sidewalk Shoes
19. Raw asparagus salad, from Apron Strings
20. Roasted potato, asparagus and arugula salad, from My Colombian Recipes
21. Grilled asparagus and melon salad, from My Carolina Kitchen
22. Quinoa salad with shrimp, asparagus, fresh corn and herb lime vinaigrette, from Former Chef
23. Asparagus and arugula pasta salad, from Gimme Some Oven
24. Asparagus salad with tomatoes, hearts of palm, and chives, from Kalyn's Kitchen
Soups
25. Chilled asparagus soup, from The Perfect Pantry
26. Creamy asparagus leek soup, from Soup Chick
27. Asparagus, potato and herb soup, from Soup Chick
28. Chilled green curry coconut asparagus soup, from Soup Chick
29. Finnish summer soup, from Kitchen Parade
30. Roasted asparagus soup, from FatFree Vegan Kitchen
31. Creamy asparagus soup with bacon and asparagus tips, from Always Order Dessert
32. Asparagus and pea soup with herb crackers, from Tartelette
33. CrockPot cream of asparagus soup, from A Year of Slow Cooking
34. Asparagus and dandelion soup, from Cheese Please
35. Vietnamese crab and asparagus soup, from Girl Cooks World
Sandwiches and pizza
36. Grilled asparagus tartines with fresh ricotta, pesto and scallions, from Panini Happy
37. Avocado asparagus tartine, from 101 Cookbooks
38. Grilled asparagus and prosciutto panini, from Panini Happy
39. Grilled cheese sandwich with asparagus pesto, from More Than Burnt Toast
40. Shaved asparagus pizza, from Annie's Eats
41. Asparagus and cream cheese sandwich, from Homesick Texan
42. Welsh rarebit with grilled asparagus and mushrooms, from Simple Bites
43. Grilled asparagus ricotta pizza, from Framed Cooks
44. Pesto pizza with red peppers, cremini mushrooms and asparagus, from Oh My Veggies
Pasta, pulses, rice and grains main dishes
45. Risotto with shrimp and asparagus, from The Perfect Pantry
46. Salmon, asparagus and lemon pasta, from The Perfect Pantry
47. Mushroom and asparagus paella, from The Perfect Pantry
48. Hot sesame rice noodles with asparagus, shiitakes and pea shoots, from The Bojon Gourmet
49. Penne with ricotta and asparagus, from Simply Recipes
50. Tomato basil zucchini pasta with goat cheese and asparagus, from Inspiralized
51. Bucatini with smoked asparagus and gorgonzola, from Herbivoracious
52. Asparagus soufflé, from Simply Recipes
53. Asparagus with anchovy butter and polenta, from The Culinary Chase
54. Israeli (pearl) couscous with prosciutto, asparagus and mushrooms, from Cookin' Canuck
55. Asparagus and goat cheese quinoa patties with smoked salmon and lemon yogurt sauce, from Always Order Dessert
56. Spring veggie galette, from Apron Strings
57. Asparagus and brown rice, from 101 Cookbooks
58. Creamy penne with asparagus and artichoke, from In Good Taste
59. Chickpea cakes with shaved asparagus and yogurt, from Naturally Ella
60. Baby pasta shells with asparagus and marinara sauce, from Skinnytaste
61. Pappardelle with lemon gremolata and asparagus, from The Apron Archives
62. Asparagus ravioli with brown butter sauce, from The Bitten Word
63. Asparagus herb lasagna, from Lady and the Blog
Chicken, fish and meat main dishes
64. Thai green basil curry with chicken, asparagus and spinach, from The Perfect Pantry
65. Burmese shrimp and asparagus stir fry, from Girl Cooks World
66. Chicken and asparagus stir fry, from Not Eating Out in New York
67. Flank steak stir-fry with asparagus and red pepper, from Simply Recipes
68. Stir fried shrimp and asparagus in black bean sauce, from Just One Cookbook
69. Baked halibut with asparagus, leeks and dill, from Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef
70. Sambal asparagus, from Rasa Malaysia
71. Spicy pork with asparagus, from Oui, Chef
72. Stir fry chicken with asparagus and almond, from eCurry
Side dishes
73. Roasted asparagus with manchego cheese, from The Perfect Pantry
74. Roasted asparagus with Sriracha drizzle, from The Perfect Pantry
75. Easy recipe for barely-cooked asparagus with basil pesto, from Kalyn's Kitchen
76. Miso ginger asparagus, from Steamy Kitchen
77. Thai peppered asparagus, from Appetite for China
78. Roasted asparagus and cherry tomatoes, from Jeanette's Healthy Living
79. Thai stir-fried asparagus with lemongrass, from Season with Spice
80. Pickled asparagus, from Food in Jars
81. Asparagus and rocket risotto, from Matkonation
82. Asparagus and radishes with mint, from The Kitchn
83. Asparagus with shallots and almonds, from The Red Spoon
84. Grilled asparagus with reduced balsamic vinegar, from Savory Sweet Life
85. Asparagus with hollandaise sauce, from Simply Recipes
86. Steamed asparagus with red onions, almonds and raisins, from Andrea Meyers
87. Asparagus with gochujang sauce, from Korean Bapsang
88. Roasted asparagus and tangerines with toasted almonds, from The Lemon Bowl
89. Lemon asparagus couscous with tomatoes, from Skinnytaste
90. Greek spinach-asparagus-potato gratin, from A Veggie Venture
91. Asparagus with bacon, breadcrumbs, almonds and capers, from Kahakai Kitchen
Breakfast (or breakfast-for-dinner)
92. Asparagus, egg and cheese casserole, from The Perfect Pantry
93. Red pepper, asparagus and spinach quiche, from The Perfect Pantry
94. Scrambled egg and roasted asparagus toasts, from Foodiecrush
95. Asparagus, spinach and feta cheese frittata, from Two Peas & Their Pod
96. Roasted asparagus with poached egg and parmesan, from Cheap Healthy Good
97. Low-carb breakfast casserole with asparagus, mushrooms, and goat cheese, from Kalyn's Kitchen
98. Easy eggs Benedict with asparagus, from Add a Pinch
99. Scrambled eggs with asparagus and Camembert, from 80 Breakfasts
100. Asparagus and tomato frittata with havarti and dill, from Kalyn's Kitchen
And, don't forget dessert!
101. Asparagus ice cream in an almond-lemongrass cookie cup, from Healthy. Delicious.
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Hmm, I don't know about asparagus ice cream, but all the rest sound great!
Kalyn, I haven't tried the ice cream yet, but it intrigues me!
I don't think I can make 101 in six or seven weeks, but I will try!!!!!!
This is a great list for all of us asparagus lovers! Thanks for sharing it.
Jane, I'd be happy to help you try!
Donna, you're welcome. I could eat asparagus several times a day during the short New England season, so I'm always looking for new recipes.
Thanks for the list - I'm looking forward to trying some
Sarah, let us know which ones become your new favorites!