This Instant Pot asparagus recipe is perfect for getting the most flavor out of every bite! With the parmesan cheese and lemon juice mixture at the end, these are the perfect side dish to complement your meal.
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We are huge fans of asparagus over here, and one of our favorite ways to season them up is with lemon juice, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The salty, savory, and delicious flavor in every bite is worthy of sharing a plate with any meal.
Making asparagus in the Instant Pot is a convenient and efficient way to prepare this vegetable. It's a cooking method that ensures the asparagus remains tender and vibrant green.
With the Instant Pot, you can achieve perfectly cooked asparagus with minimal effort. After cooking, you'll have asparagus that's crisp-tender, and ideal to serve as a side dish for any number of great recipes.
Check out more of my Instant Pot veggie recipes like my Instant Pot Zucchini, Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, Instant Pot Steamed Green Beans, and Instant Pot Brussel Sprouts and Bacon.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Customizable texture. Whether you prefer crisp tender or very soft asparagus, this recipe is easy to adjust to your liking.
- Simple flavor, easy process. Finish with the lemon Parmesan mixture and every bite will be bright, savory, and full of flavor.
- Fast to make. With a cook time of just 0 to 2 minutes, most of the time is simply waiting for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
🛒 Ingredients
Fresh Asparagus. Use washed and trimmed asparagus with similar thickness so they cook evenly.
Parmesan Cheese. Shredded Parmesan adds salty, savory depth. We especially like deli style Parmesan. It's also great on green beans, like in Garlic Parmesan Roasted Green Beans.
Minced Garlic. Fresh or jarred minced garlic both work well.
Lemon Juice. Adds brightness and a fresh, balanced finish.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Buy asparagus in season. Asparagus is most affordable in spring, when prices are lower and quality is higher.
Use shelf-stable Parmesan. Grated or shredded Parmesan from the pantry often costs less than fresh wedges.
Skip the broil step if needed. The asparagus is flavorful without melting the cheese in the oven, saving time and energy.
Reuse leftovers creatively. Extra asparagus works well in pasta, omelets, or grain bowls later in the week.
🥄 Instructions for Instant Pot Asparagus
Step 1: Wash your asparagus and trim the ends off. Cut them shorter if needed so that they fit into the Instant Pot. (Image 1).
Step 2: Pour one cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot.
Step 3: Place the trivet or steamer basket inside, and add the asparagus. Lay them flat if using a trivet, or stand them up if using a basket. (Image 2).
Step 4: Close the lid and seal it. Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 0-2 minutes. 2 makes them more tender, but 0 minutes was perfect for my skinny asparagus. When the timer has beeped, do a Quick Pressure Release.
Step 5: Remove the asparagus from the Instant Pot and place it into a bowl with olive oil, cheese, and seasonings. (Image 3). Toss to coat. (Image 4).
If desired, you can lay the cheese covered asparagus on a foil lined baking sheet and place it in the oven under high broil for 1 minute.
Serve warm. Enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Trivet or Basket. Use an Instant Pot steamer basket if you have one, or simply place the asparagus directly on the trivet.
- Adjust the Size. Trim the asparagus so they fit comfortably inside the Instant Pot. Spears can be slightly longer if standing in a basket, and it's fine if they touch the sides while cooking.
❄️ Storage and Reheating
Storage: Store cooked Instant Pot Asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave in short intervals or warm in a skillet over low heat.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
This Instant Pot Asparagus pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled fish, baked salmon, steak, or simple pasta and rice dishes for an easy meal.
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- Air Fryer Pork Loin RoastRecipe $10.27 / Serving $1.28
❓ Instant Pot Asparagus FAQs
To clean asparagus you should run them under cool water and gently rub the tips to help loosen and remove any grit. Asparagus grows up from the ground so it can be a dirty vegetable.
Also, when trimming the ends, if you grab either end of an asparagus in both hands and bend slightly, the asparagus will break right where the wooden-end is, leaving you a perfect juicy piece of asparagus instead of cutting them.
You can keep asparagus for about 3-5 days in the fridge before it goes bad before cooking. For maximum freshness, trim the ends slightly and place them standing upright in a cup of water instead of lying in a vegetable crisper drawer.
Instant Pot steamed asparagus can last in the fridge for about 3-5 days before needing to be eaten or tossed. This should give you plenty of time to work your way through a delicious batch of steamed asparagus.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Instant Pot Zucchini BoatsRecipe $6.23 / Serving $1.56
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- Instant Pot Beef Back RibsRecipe $15.34 / Serving $3.83
- Instant Pot Apple Pie FillingRecipe $7.30 / Serving $0.91
🐝 If you tried this Instant Pot Asparagus, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus, about 1 pound, trimmed - ($3.87)
- 1 cup water - ($0.00)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil - ($0.14)
- 2 teaspoon garlic, minced - ($0.12)
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice - ($0.06)
- ¼ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded - ($0.37)
Instructions
- Prepare the asparagus. Wash the asparagus and trim off the woody ends. Cut in half if needed so the spears fit inside the Instant Pot.
- Add water and load. Pour the water into the Instant Pot liner. Place a steamer basket or trivet inside and arrange the asparagus so it fits comfortably.
- Pressure cook. Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 0 to 2 minutes. Use 0 minutes for tender-crisp asparagus and up to 2 minutes for softer spears.
- Quick release. Perform a quick pressure release as soon as the cook time ends.
- Season. Transfer the asparagus to a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and Parmesan cheese, then toss gently to coat.
- Optional broil. For melted cheese, spread the asparagus on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil on High for about 1 minute.
- Serve. Serve warm.
Notes
- Cooking method. Use either a steamer basket or trivet. Spears may be slightly longer if using a basket.
- Cleaning tips. Rinse asparagus under cool water and gently rub the tips to remove any grit.
- Trimming ends. Bend a stalk until it snaps naturally to find where the woody end begins.
- Storage. Store cooked asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Nutritional Information
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