How to Clean Asparagus: 3 Tips for Cleaning Asparagus

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a spring vegetable that grows in thick green stalks known as asparagus spears. Chefs use asparagus stalks (or spears) in a variety of ways. Some serve steamed asparagus drizzled in olive oil as a side dish. Baked asparagus fits nicely into many casseroles—especially with a layer of parmesan cheese baked on the top. You can sauté or stir-fry asparagus with other veggies, or you can blend them with eggs in a crispy brunch frittata. Pickled green or white asparagus spears can make an elegant appetizer or hors d'oeuvre.

Asparagus is notably high in iron, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. It also contains minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, and zinc. On top of this, it is a low-calorie food with a bit of protein, minimal carbohydrates, and almost no fat.

When you bring home a bunch of asparagus from the grocery store or farmer’s market, it may come bearing pesticides, dirt, or even small insects. Fortunately, it is easy to clean fresh asparagus without significantly adding to your prep time.

1. 1. Remove the woody part of the spears. The best way to clean asparagus is to start by snapping off the woody part at the bottom of each stalk. The woody ends of the asparagus typically snap right off with a bit of pressure, but you can always slice them off with a chef's knife.
2. 2. Rinse the asparagus under running water. Once you've ditched the woody ends, simply run the asparagus under cold water to get rid of any pesticides, dirt, or small critters.
3. 3. Pat the asparagus dry. Gently pat the asparagus dry with a paper towel or clean dishcloth. You are now ready to cook with the asparagus or store it for later.

Keep the following tips in mind as you clean asparagus.

1. 1. You can wash asparagus at any point. Certain types of produce, like berries, can spoil more quickly or get mushy when kept damp. This is not the case for asparagus. You can store asparagus in the refrigerator and wash it later, or you can wash it immediately when you bring it home and use it a few days later. For instance, you can bring your asparagus home from a Sunday farmer’s market, clean it right away, and then save it for a weeknight meal.
2. 2. Store asparagus in cold water. If you want to hold onto your asparagus and use it later, store it in a jar of water placed in the refrigerator. Slice off (or snap off) the woody ends of the asparagus and place the rest of the stalk in water for later use. You can also keep the asparagus spears bunched together. Most are sold wrapped in a rubber band, and you can leave them that way in the refrigerator. Simply slice an inch off the bottom of the stalks, and place the whole bunch of asparagus in a water-filled jar.
3. 3. You can also disinfect asparagus by blanching it. Asparagus is not known for harboring pests, but if you want to be safe, you can blanch asparagus. First put a large pot of water on the stovetop at high heat and bring it to a boil. Submerge the asparagus spears in the boiling water for roughly three minutes (use a bit less time for extra-thin asparagus). Using tongs, transfer the spears to a bowl of ice water for another three minutes. This blanching method will kill any bacteria, but the main benefit is keeping the asparagus crisp and colorful for a longer period of time. You can even wrap it in a paper towel and place it in a plastic bag in the fridge for future use. It should still be bright green and crispy when you pull it out of the fridge a few days later.

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