Asparagus is filled with nutritional benefits. Most importantly, its low-calorie content makes it ideal for a healthy diet. In case you’ve got loads of leftover asparagus that have already been heated previously, you must be wondering whether you can reheat asparagus again for later. Well, you have landed on just the right spot for your answer!
We have put together a brief but comprehensive guide for you regarding queries related to reheating asparagus.
Can you reheat asparagus?
Yes, you can reheat asparagus. You can microwave it for half a minute or heat it up in the oven on a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also reheat asparagus in an air fryer, a pan, or a stovetop.
Different ways to reheat asparagus
There are various different methods that you can use to reheat asparagus. We have mentioned a few of the most convenient ones below for your ease. Whatever method you choose, remember the key to reheating asparagus perfectly without turning it mushy is not to overcook it.
How do you reheat asparagus in a microwave?
Reheating asparagus in the microwave is the most convenient method. However, you should be mindful of not overdoing the reheating. If you end up reheating the asparagus for too long in the microwave, it will turn soggy.
- Grab a microwave-safe dish and lay down the asparagus in a single layer.
- Cover the arranged asparagus with a wet paper towel. This will protect the asparagus from drying out as wet paper towels produce steam.
- Put the microwave-safe dish with covered asparagus in the microwave.
- Let the asparagus reheat at high temperatures for merely 20-30 seconds.
Also read: Can you reheat edamame?
How do you reheat asparagus in an oven?
Reheating asparagus in an oven is a super-quick method to get it reheated without ruining its texture.
- Arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet in a single even layer.
- Cover the asparagus with foil if you want a fresh steamed texture. However, if you prefer a crunchy texture, skip the foil.
Note: Covering with a foil is an optional step; it entirely depends on your liking.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the sheet inside the oven and let your asparagus reheat for around 3-5 minutes.
How do you reheat asparagus in a pan?
This is another quick way of reheating asparagus and adding extra flavor and seasonings during the reheating process.
- Grab a non-stick pan.
- Heat a small portion of oil or butter in the pan.
- Add asparagus to the pan and keep stirring to provide uniform heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve it as soon as possible once you feel that the asparagus has gotten quite hot to the touch.
How do you reheat asparagus in an air fryer?
Surprisingly, you can even use your air fryer to reheat asparagus. With an air fryer, you will get the job done in hardly a few minutes.
- Take out the air fryer basket.
- Arrange the asparagus in the air fryer basket evenly in a single layer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once you have arranged the asparagus in the basket, sprinkle a few drops of oil.
- Then put the basket back in the air fryer.
- Let your asparagus reheat for 1-2 minutes before taking the basket out.
How do you reheat frozen asparagus?
You will need to use an oven to reheat frozen asparagus effectively.
- Grab a baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
- Spread out the frozen asparagus in a single layer on the lined baking pan.
- Heat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Drizzle a little bit of oil over the arranged asparagus.
- Let the asparagus reheat in the oven for around 15 minutes or more if required.
- Take it out of the oven once you spot asparagus browning or turning crispy.
Besides asparagus, learn how to reheat brie in this post!
How to store asparagus?
Storing asparagus is a little more complicated than you probably think. However, you don’t need to worry at all because we have some tips for you! You can easily store asparagus in a fridge or a freezer for long-term storage. We will start by talking about storing raw asparagus, and then we will move on to storing cooked asparagus.
Note: Before storing, you need to keep in mind that your asparagus will not remain the same after storage. It will most probably lose its crunch and original texture.
How to store raw asparagus?
Simply chop off the woody stems of asparagus. Grab a glass half-filled with clean water and submerge the chopped ends of asparagus in it. Next, cover the exposed asparagus tips with a plastic bag or wrapping to protect them. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If you spot the water turning cloudy after a few days, make sure to replace the water. This is the best possible method for storing raw asparagus.
How to store cooked asparagus?
Cool down your asparagus at room temperature. Then place the asparagus in an airtight container; you can use a plastic container or a freezer bag). Place that container in the fridge. This method will keep the asparagus fine for 3 to 5 days.
Another method is to blanch the asparagus to make it tender before storing it quickly. In this way, the texture will be preserved, and the reheating process will cook the asparagus.
How to freeze asparagus?
If you look forward to storing asparagus to make it last through months, you can do so by freezing it. However, you can only freeze uncooked raw asparagus because cooked ones might become too mushy if stored for too long. Blanching the asparagus first helps preserve the flavor and texture.
Note: The texture of frozen asparagus will not be near the fresh ones; you would only be able to use them in curry and stews.
Here’s what you need to do to freeze asparagus:
- Pick out thicker asparagus stems because they have a high chance of survival. The thicker the stem, the better it will freeze.
- Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 to 4 minutes, then put it in ice-cold water.
- Dry the asparagus and place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag for freezing.
Tip: Squeeze out as much air as possible when putting the asparagus in the freezer bag. This will protect the asparagus from getting a freezer burn.
In this way, the asparagus will last up to 8 months without any signs of spoilage. However, this is for uncooked asparagus; cooked ones may only be good for a few weeks.
How long does reheated asparagus last?
Reheated asparagus can last 4-5 days without spoilage in the fridge.
Continue learning about reheating different vegies by following this post about reheating kale!
Related FAQs to reheating and asparagus!
Can you reheat cooked asparagus?
Yes, you can reheat cooked asparagus. However, make sure not to overheat it; otherwise, it will ruin the texture and turn the asparagus mushy. You can reheat cooked asparagus in either microwave for 2-3 minutes or in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the best way to reheat asparagus?
The best way to reheat asparagus is by using an oven. Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, put some oil on a baking sheet, and let your asparagus reheat on it for a few minutes. In this way, you will get perfectly reheated asparagus without ruining its texture.
Can I microwave leftover asparagus?
Yes, you can microwave leftover asparagus. Simply lay asparagus down in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Then, microwave the asparagus on high for 2-3 minutes.
What temperature do you reheat asparagus at?
While reheating asparagus in an oven, you should keep the temperature between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long can I keep cooked asparagus in the fridge?
If stored properly in an airtight container, cooked asparagus will easily last for around 3 to 5 days without spoilage.
How do you crisp up soggy asparagus?
To crisp up soggy asparagus, simply toss it in the oven with a bit of olive oil and let it roast for around 10 to 12 minutes. Make sure to shake the pan halfway through the roasting to crisp the veggies up evenly. After 10 to 12 minutes, you will spot soggy ends browning and turning crispy.
Concluding our thoughts on reheating asparagus!
The asparagus season goes by in a flash. Hence, pre-cooked and stored asparagus always comes in handy. Now that you know several methods of reheating asparagus, we hope that you will be able to easily stock up some asparagus and reheat it later. Just make sure to heat it up in limited intervals as the texture of asparagus is quite sensitive; too much heat can make it mushy.
Here is another reheating guide on broccoli, make sure to check it out!