Easy Instant Pot Asparagus

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You may not have thought you could make perfectly tender and crisp asparagus in the Instant Pot, but this Instant Pot Asparagus is actually the best way to make it perfect every time.

Cooked Asparagus

Pressure cooking asparagus seems a little strange, sure, but it’s really just a super fast way to steam vegetables so they cook to perfection without getting soggy or browned.

Asparagus is one of those veggies that should be easy to cook, but it can turn out mushy and flavorless when boiled, limp and soft when steamed on the stove top, and completely over done when grilled. That leaves the Instant Pot, which, it turns out is the perfect way to cook asparagus.

The Instant Pot is a great way to cook many different vegetables. Artichokes come out tender and perfectly steamed in 15 minutes and it might sound strange but corn on the cob turns out perfect every time!

Why You’ll Love It

  • Retains Nutrients and Flavor: The Instant Pot seals in the nutrients and natural flavors of the asparagus during the cooking process. Unlike boiling, which can cause nutrients to leach out into the water, pressure cooking helps to preserve the vitamins and minerals in the asparagus.
  • Consistent Results: You’ll always end up with perfectly cooked asparagus that’s tender-crisp and full of flavor.
  • Speed and Efficiency: Cooking asparagus in the Instant Pot is incredibly quick and efficient. You can enjoy perfectly cooked asparagus in a fraction of the time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a quick side dish to accompany your meal.

BushyEyes says: 5 stars Thank you for sharing this recipe. The Instant Pot made it so easy to cook my asparagus.

Decker says: 5 stars I added some shaved Parmesan cheese on top of the asparagus and it was the perfect finishing touch.

» You might want to check out these 15 Instant Pot Accessories that can help you save time and maximize your Instant Pot to its fullest.

Ingredients You Need

Ingredients for Instant Pot asparagus

This isn’t surprising, but you don’t need many ingredients to make Instant Pot asparagus. In fact, you really only need asparagus and water. However, you can boost the flavor by adding a few additional items.

  • Asparagus – Try and use large solid stocks bigger than a pencil. The smaller stocks cook too quickly and may become mushy. Make sure that the tough woody ends have been removed.
  • Water – You can use water or broth.
  • Olive oil – This is my go-to. You can use any oil you have.
  • Salt & ground black pepper – Seasoning to taste.
  • Garlic salt – Gives a nice boost of flavor without going overboard.
  • Lemon juice – A squeeze of fresh lemon adds a brightness.

Equipment Needed

  • Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Plus to make all of my recipes. If you’re using an 8-quart pot, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, as it requires more than the 6 quart to build steam.
  • Trivet – If you don’t have a trivet, you can use a steamer basket. It just needs to be raised up out of the water.

Helpful Tips

  • If you want to stick with the easiest possible method, you just need to add water and asparagus. There’s no need to coat the asparagus in anything before you cook it.
  • You really do set the Instant Pot to cook for ZERO minutes. The time it takes to come up to pressure is enough to cook the asparagus without over cooking it.
  • Try adding red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, or shave some parmesan on top.
  • If your asparagus is thin you might consider cooking it on low pressure, if your machine has the capability, for 0 minutes.

What Size Asparagus to Use

Asparagus comes in many different sizes (can colors!). You can cook any size in the Instant Pot, but a larger stock is going to be easiest to perfect. They don’t all need to be the exact same diameter, but get as close as you can.

asparagus spears

Pencil thin asparagus is harder to cook to perfection in the Instant Pot because it’s so thin. With medium stock asparagus, like the ones pictured above, you set the cook time to zero. But it’s 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, you’d 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.

How to Cook Instant Pot Asparagus

Step 1: Prep the asparagus

Wash the asparagus and remove the hard woody stems. You don’t want to take off too much of the ends, but the spears need to fit in the Instant Pot, so you can’t leave them too long.

Step 2: Fill the Instant Pot

Raw Asparagus in the Instant Pot

Place the trivet in the Instant Pot inner pot. Pour in the water. Place the asparagus on the trivet. If you don’t have a trivet, you can use a steamer basket. It just needs to be raised up out of the water, because the asparagus will become soggy if it’s placed directly into the water.

Step 3: Pressure cook

Cooked Asparagus in the Instant Pot

Close and lock the lid. Set the vent to sealing. Press the pressure cook button, set on high, and put in a cook time of zero minutes. That’s right – zero minutes. It sounds strange, but it’s possible to do.

It will take about 5 minutes to come up to pressure, then with zero cook minutes, go immediately into keep warm mode.

If you like your asparagus slightly firm, do a quick release as soon as you hear the beeps. If you like asparagus without much bite, leave it for 2-3 minutes before doing a quick release.

Step 4: Season

Cooked Asparagus

Remove the asparagus to a plate right away so it doesn’t continue steaming in the pot. Drizzle on the olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic salt, and serve.

Questions About the Recipe

Can you freeze asparagus?

Yes, you absolutely can! Freezing asparagus is one of the best ways to preserve it for later, when it’s no longer in season. And since the asparagus season is fairly short, it’s a great way to enjoy this vegetable even longer.
Freezing asparagus requires a quick blanch of the vegetables in hot water, then a quick cool off in cold water, then a flash freeze. It can easily be done in just 30 minutes.

How do I know if the asparagus is fresh?

You want to look for bunches that are a rich green color. The stalks should be firm and crisp and the ends should be tight. When asparagus is old you will notice that the tip is mushy to the touch.

How do I trim asparagus so it isn’t woody at the end?

Asparagus can be woody and stringy at the base end. There is a simple way to trim them to avoid this unpleasant texture. If you bend a piece of asparagus it will naturally break where the tough part ends. You can also try to cut into it with a knife. The tough parts won’t cut as easily. Just keep cutting bits off until your knife goes in easily, you know you got all of the woody tough part off.

What to Serve With Asparagus

We love to serve asparagus on the side of a brisket or rack of ribs. Both of those things can also be made in the Instant Pot. Asparagus is a great side for any chicken dish, or you can make it for a pot luck. It doesn’t have to be served hot.

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Cooked Asparagus

Instant Pot Asparagus

You may not have thought you could make perfectly tender and crisp asparagus in the Instant Pot, but it's actually the best way to make perfect asparagus every time.

Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot

4.85 from 58 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Pressurize Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 23 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb (454 g) medium stock asparagus hard stems removed
  • 1 cup (237 ml) water

Optional seasonings:

  • Olive oil
  • Salt & pepper
  • Garlic salt

Instructions
 

  • Wash the asparagus and remove the hard stems.
  • Place the trivet in the Instant Pot inner pot. Pour in the water. Place the asparagus on the trivet.
  • Close and lock the lid. Set the vent to sealing.
  • Press the pressure cook button and set to zero minutes. It will take about 5 minutes to come up to pressure and complete cooking.
  • If you like your asparagus slightly firm, do a quick release as soon as you hear the beeps. If you like asparagus without much bite, leave for 2-3 minutes before doing a quick release.
  • If preparing the optional dressing, mix the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, garlic salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Drizzle the olive oil on, sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic salt, and serve.

Notes

  • If you want to stick with the easiest possible method, you just need to add water and asparagus.
  • There’s no need to coat the asparagus in anything before you cook it.
  • You really do set the Instant Pot to cook for ZERO minutes. The time it takes to come up to pressure is enough to cook the asparagus without over cooking it.
  • Try adding red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, or shave some parmesan on top.
  • If your asparagus is thin you might consider cooking it on low pressure, if your machine has the capability, for 0 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 23kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 229mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 857IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Asparagus
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12 thoughts on “Easy Instant Pot Asparagus

  1. MasterTom says:

    I was a little hesitant to try cooking asparagus in the Instant Pot. I was afraid it would come out mushy. I was worrying for nothing. Great recipe.

    • Angela Morris says:

      Lita, while we haven’t tried it, there is a good chance that the asparagus would get really mushy. For the best results use fresh raw asparagus spears that are roughly the same size and shape.

4.85 from 58 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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