How To Parboil Asparagus

4 servings
15 min

Vegetables make the perfect side dish for most meals. But sometimes the cooking time makes some veggies less desirable, especially on busy weeknights after a day of work, when you need (or want) to get dinner on the table.


Asparagus can sometimes take up to 30 minutes or more to cook, which makes it less appealing than something you can quickly steam for 5-10 minutes. It's also very affordable in season and is a great way to eat better and save money.


Paraboiling can reduce the cooking time by 15 minutes.


Paraboiling partially boiling your vegetable before cooking helps maintain the crispiness and nutrients but reduces the cooking time.


This process can partially cook potatoes, rice, and other root vegetables before cooking in the oven, toaster oven, or air fryer.


I love to parboil Brussel Sprouts before adding maple syrup and soy sauce.


Start by washing and drying your asparagus and then trimming the rough ends 1 inch. I like to trim a little more than 1 inch especially if the ends of the asparagus are rough.

Next, add your asparagus to a stock pan and cover it with cool water.

Add a pinch of salt, and bring the water to a boil on high. Once the water beings to boil, turn off the burner, but leave the pan on the burner.


Allow the asparagus to stay in hot water for 5 minutes. You may want to leave it for 3 minutes for thinner asparagus.


Drain the water from the asparagus and rinse using cold water.

Once you have parboiled and rinsed your asparagus, you can finish cooking vis your desired method.


You can continue to cook in a skillet with olive oil, garlic, and a squeeze of fresh lemon for 5-7 minutes until

If you like to grill your asparagus, parboiling can reduce the cooking time by half, but your vegetable will remain crisp and not limp and soggy.


Before grilling your asparagus, coat thoroughly in olive or avocado oil to avoid sticking. Another easy way to keep your grill clean is to use a vegetable grill basket.

Recipe details
  • 4  servings
  • Prep time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 10 Minutes Total time: 15 min
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Ingredients
Parboiled Asparagus
  • 1 bundle of fresh asparagus
  • pinch of salt
  • water
Instructions
Parboil Asparagus
Wash and dry asparagus
Trim the bottom inch of asparagus.
Add asparagus to the stock pan and fully cover it with cool water
Bring the water to a boil on high heat. Once a boil begins, turn the burner off.
Leave the stock pot on the hot burner to allow the asparagus to remain in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
Drain water and rinse asparagus with cool water.
Finish cooking asparagus using your favorite recipe.
Tips
  • Finishing off asparagus in the air fryer with a dash of olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese is a great and flavorful way to enjoy this vegetable.
Cha Ching Queen
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