How to Microwave Asparagus

//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0258/9324/0922/files/ANYDAY_Q2_2023_8886_360x.jpg?v=1683303546 How to Microwave Asparagus
PT2M PT3M

Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

3 mins

Free Time

to drink a glass of Austrian wine 

A telltale sign of spring, asparagus steams beautifully in the microwave. Stalks quickly become tender with just the right amount of crisp, turning into a vibrant green color along the way. Thicker stalks will need a bit more time to cook than thinner ones.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Shallow Dish

$35
Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts, dips, and small portions of meat or fish.
The Anyhand Mitts

The Anyhand Mitts

$25
Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!

Please select a product

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

7-8 (6 ounces) asparagus

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

Microwave oven by power - 700w
700w

Ingredients

  • 7-8 (6 ounces) asparagus, trimmed

Preparation

  1. Cut the tough, fibrous ends off of the asparagus.
  2. Place in an Anyday dish and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes, or until asparagus is bright green and tender, but not mushy.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Tangy Parmesan: Toss with orange zest, grated parmesan cheese, and champagne vinegar.
  • Mint and Feta: Mix with mint, feta, and thinly sliced apple.
  • Crispy sesame: Mix with sesame dressing (sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar), topped with crispy noodles and sesame seeds.
  • Avocado toast topper: Top avocado toast with sliced eggs and asparagus.

Recipe notes

  • White, green, and purple asparagus cook for the same amount of time.
  • If asparagus is thick, use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin off the bottom half of the stalk to make it more tender.
  • For thicker stalks, add more time in 30-second increments if needed. For thinner stalks, decrease the cook time.
  • For the most even cooking, stir halfway through the cook time.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Microwave Match Up: Asparagus

See for yourself— microwaving asparagus is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 2-4 mins
Oven* 25-30 mins
Grill* 20 mins
Stovetop* 13 mins
*Includes preheat time

Step by Step: Microwaving Asparagus

Trim the woody asparagus ends.

Cover with the lid (knob lifted).

Cook in the microwave.

Asparagus is done when bright green and tender.

Shop our bestsellers

$20 savings

Emerald Collection

$160
$140
Shop now
$30 savings

The Complete Set

$200
$170
Shop now
$25 savings

The Everyday Set

$160
$135
Shop now
$5 savings

The Starter Set

$90
$85
Shop now
$58 savings

The Meal Prep Set

$248
$190
Shop now