Can You Freeze Asparagus?

Wondering if you can freeze asparagus when you have a surplus in your garden? Or, are you wanting to save asparagus to eat when it’s not in season? The best method for freezing asparagus includes blanching in water first, then flash freezing it. Once you have the process down, pick a recipe at the end to enjoy this healthy veggie all year round!

Can you actually freeze asparagus?

Yes, you can freeze asparagus! Freezing bundles of asparagus is actually the best way to preserve its taste, shape, and texture. If you’d like to eat asparagus when it’s not asparagus season, then freezing is a great option.

The Best Way to Freeze Asparagus

For the best results and proper preparation, there are only four simple steps to freezing raw asparagus:

1. Trim & Rinse
2. Boil & Blanch
3. Flash Freeze
4. Store & Wait

Trim & Rinse

Remove the rubber band from the asparagus bunch. Discard any asparagus that has any type of tender part (they will not freeze). Cut and discard the woody asparagus ends an inch from the bottom. Cut the remaining stalks into 2-inch pieces. Place the asparagus in a colander and run the pieces lightly under cold running water.

Boil & Blanch

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

The amount of time the asparagus is in the boiling water depends on the thickness of the asparagus bunch. So if your bunch has thicker spears, they will stay in for a longer amount of time. If your bunch has thinner spears, they will stay in for a shorter amount of time. Add the spears in for 2-4 minutes. Do not overcook – you want them to still be a bright green. 

Blanching is an important step when freezing asparagus because it locks in the nutrients before you flash freeze them.

Remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon or tongs. Place into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process for 2-4 minutes.

Flash Freeze

After removing from the ice water bath, pat the asparagus dry with paper towels. Put them on a sheet pan with parchment paper in a single layer. Place them in the freezer for at least 2 hours, or until they are firm and completely frozen. This is a great way to keep the shape of the vegetable intact and prevent clumping.

Store & Wait

After those 2 hours, put all the asparagus in a freezer bag or airtight freezer container. To avoid freezer burn, remove as much air from the bag or container. Store your asparagus in the freezer for a later date!

Which asparagus is best to freeze?

Any type of asparagus can be frozen, but you may have more success with thicker spears.

If your asparagus stalks are too thin, then they’re more likely to get freezer burnt and the texture will be grimy and grainy once thawed. As long as the asparagus is the width of a no. 2 pencil, then you won’t have an issue freezing it.

As far as colors of asparagus go, it doesn’t matter! From white to purple to green, all colors of asparagus freeze well.

How long does asparagus last in the freezer?

Frozen asparagus can last up to 1 year in the freezer. This is the same whether you keep the stalks whole or cut them into smaller pieces.

Can you freeze cooked asparagus?

Yes, you can freeze cooked asparagus and it’s a great way to save leftovers. Place the cooked spears into an airtight container in the freezer, and they’ll last up to 2 months.

To keep them from getting soggy when incorporating them into cooked dishes, do not thaw them first. Instead, add them still frozen to casseroles, quiches, or soup.

Do blanched asparagus spears make a difference in the freezer?

The results will not be the same if you skip the blanching step before freezing asparagus spears. Frozen fresh asparagus will result in mushy, tender texture that won’t be as enjoyable. Blanching asparagus spears before freezing preserves their color and texture by locking them in a partly cooked state.

How to Thaw Frozen Asparagus

The best way to thaw frozen asparagus is to incorporate it into cooked dishes while it is still frozen. This locks in the texture and color and makes frozen asparagus the perfect addition to pasta, risotto, soups, quiches, casseroles, and stews.

Thawing and then roasting asparagus might not be the best option because it was already par-cooked prior to freezing. This “double-cooking” won’t turn out the same as if you roasted them fresh.

The Best Asparagus Recipes & Resources

There’s so much more to learn about asparagus. Read through these resources, then try out a recipe for your next dinner or potluck:

• How To Store Asparagus
• Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell?
• Roasted Asparagus with Garlic
• Sheet Pan Caprese Chicken
• Cream of Asparagus Soup