Learn how to freeze asparagus in a few simple steps. Fresh asparagus is blanched, chopped then frozen to use in casseroles, soups, or pasta.
Freezing asparagus is a great way to preserve flavor and nutrients of a fresh vegetable to use anytime during the year. No need to wait for asparagus to be in season when it is a freezer staple!
For more how-to vegetable tutorials, check out How To Freeze Butternut Squash, How To Cut A Bell Pepper, and How to Microwave Butternut Squash.
Frozen Asparagus
Frozen asparagus is a great freezer staple that can served any time during the year. Depending on your preference, freeze whole asparagus spears or chop into small pieces before freezing.
Interested in learning how to grow asparagus at home? You’ll have to check out this How to Grow and Care for Asparagus guide. Growing fruits and vegetables is a fantastic way to teach your family where produce comes from and how to select, store and serve each variety.
Gather the equipment and asparagus then follow the written instructions or printable recipe card below to get started. Enjoy!
Equipment
- large stockpot with cover
- tongs
- large bowl filled with ice and cold water
- cutting board and chefs knife
- Ziplock Freezer bag
- baking sheet with parchment paper
- paper toweling
Ingredients
- 2 bunches asparagus
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Freeze Asparagus Spears
Start by boiling the water by filling the stock pot with water and bringing to a boil.
Prep the asparagus
Rinse the asparagus. Take an asparagus stalk and bend it. Where is snaps is a good estimate of where you can cut the stalks. Keep only the top portion of the asparagus and throw away the bottom portion.
Blanch the asparagus
Place the asparagus into the boiling water. Boil for about 2 minutes for small to medium-sized stalks or 3 minutes for medium to large stalks. Remove with tongs and place immediately into the ice bath.
Chop the asparagus
Pat the asparagus dry with the paper toweling. Cut into 1-2 inch pieces.
Freeze
Place onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Freeze for 30 min-1 hour. Place frozen pieces of asparagus into a freezer ziplock bag, label, and freeze.
Freezing in a single layer first will prevent the asparagus from clumping together. This makes it easier to remove from the freezer when desired.
How To Blanch Asparagus
To blanch asparagus, you’ll need a boiling pot of water and an ice water bath. Start by boiling for about 2 minutes for small to medium-sized stalks or 3 minutes for medium to large stalks. Then, remove with tongs and place immediately into the ice bath.
How To Freeze Asparagus Without Blanching
To freeze without blanching, arrange the stalks on a parchment lined baking sheet then freeze for about an hour before tossing into a freezer bag.
However, blanching is key to preserving the color, taste, texture and nutrients of asparagus so be mindful these may be compromised without flash freezing.
How To Serve Frozen Asparagus
For best results, serve frozen asparagus incorporated into a casserole, soup or pasta recipe. There is no need to thaw prior to using, simply toss frozen into the dish then cook the recipe as directed.
Recipes For Frozen Asparagus
- Grandmas Chicken Casserole
- Gluten Free Chicken Casserole
- Comforting Chicken and Noodles (Crockpot)
- Creamy Asparagus Soup (Gluten Free – Dairy Free)
- Gluten Free Asparagus Quiche
- Gluten Free Alfredo
Frequently Asked Questions
You can tell by the appearance and the smell. As asparagus goes bad, the stalks will turn from a bright green color to dark green or even black. The stalks will also become mushy and limp.
Storing asparagus in the fridge wrapped in a damp paper towel is the best way to extend the shelf life of the vegetable.
In the Midwest, asparagus season can range from February to June with April and May being the best times to purchase the spring vegetable. Freezing asparagus harvested during this peak season is how our family enjoys the vegetable into the winter months.
Asparagus will last up to 1 year in the freezer. Using meal labels is a fantastic way to keep track of freezer dates.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- If the pot of water is too heavy to carry from the sink to the stove, ask a helper to carry it for you.
- Carefully and slowly add the asparagus to the boiling water to prevent hot water from splashing.
- Don’t forget to write the date that you are freezing the asparagus on the Ziploc bag.
More How-To Tutorials
- How To Freeze Strawberries
- How To Pound Chicken Thin
- How To Boil Chicken Legs
- How To Make Gluten-Free Tortillas
- How to Freeze Pancakes
- How To Freeze Yogurt
- How To Boil Chicken Breasts
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
How to Freeze Asparagus
Equipment
- large stockpot with cover
- large bowl filled with ice and cold water
- Ziplock Freezer bag
- baking sheet with parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 bunches asparagus
Instructions
- ⭐️Boil the water. Fill the stock pot with water and bring to a boil.
- Prep the asparagus. Rinse the asparagus. Take an asparagus stalk and bend it. Where is snaps is a good estimate of where you can cut the stalks. Keep only the top portion of the asparagus and throw away the bottom portion.2 bunches asparagus
- ⭐️Blanch the asparagus. Place the asparagus into the boiling water. Boil for about 2 minutes for small to medium-sized stalks or 3 minutes for medium to large stalks. Remove with tongs and place immediately into the ice bath.
- Chop the asparagus. Pat the asparagus dry with the paper toweling. Cut into 1-2 inch pieces.
- Freeze. Place onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer. Freeze for 30 min-1 hour. Place frozen pieces of asparagus into a freezer ziplock bag, label, and freeze.
Notes
How To Serve Frozen Asparagus
For best results, serve frozen asparagus incorporated into a casserole, soup or pasta recipe. There is no need to thaw prior to using, simply toss frozen into the dish then cook the recipe as directed.Recipes For Frozen Asparagus
- Grandmas Chicken Casserole
- Gluten Free Chicken Casserole
- Comforting Chicken and Noodles (Crockpot)
- Creamy Asparagus Soup (Gluten Free – Dairy Free)
- Gluten Free Asparagus Quiche
- Gluten Free Alfredo
Nutrition
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