How to Cook Asparagus Like a Restaurant Chef (in 6 Minutes)

Spring means fresh asparagus! There are few things more delicious than this vegetable cooked to perfection: lightly seasoned and cooked until just tender, so it keeps some of its bite. If you’re looking for the perfect spring side dish, here’s how to cook and serve asparagus quickly, just like a chef would.

How to cook asparagus

1. Trim the tough ends off the asparagus.
2. Lightly peel the bottom two-thirds of each stalk with a vegetable peeler. This is the restaurant trick: every bite is tender, all the way down.
3. Bring a couple of inches of salted water to a boil in a saucepan.
4. Add the asparagus and cover. Keep the heat on high.
5. Cook for 3 to 6 minutes, until tender. Taste a piece to check.
6. Holding the lid or a pair of tongs against the pan, tip it over the sink to drain the water.
7. Season with kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if you like. Serve right away.

More ways to enjoy asparagus

Try my Asparagus and Tomatoes with Lemon or Asparagus Risotto with Mushrooms. And if your market has something else that looks great today, here’s how to substitute ingredients in any recipe.