The Right Way to Store Asparagus to Keep It Fresh and Crisp

Asparagus is one of our favorite spring vegetables, something we look forward to during the dark days of winter. Once spring comes around, bright and delicious asparagus is in regular rotation on our menus. But to get the most from every bunch, it's important to know how to store this perennial vegetable—after all, who wants limp, old spears? They should always be green and crisp. Ahead, learn the best ways to store asparagus to keep it fresh for longer.

Buying Asparagus

The first step in storing asparagus happens before you get home. Choose the freshest asparagus you can find at the store or farmers' market—it will have a longer shelf life. Look for smooth skin and unspoiled tips. The asparagus should be firm and upright; do not buy limp asparagus. When selecting pencil-thin asparagus, make sure the skin is not wrinkled, as this is a sign of dehydration or woodiness.

How to Store Fresh Asparagus

Asparagus should always be stored in the refrigerator. Before storing it, remove any ties or rubber bands so the spears are not tied together.

Short Term Storage

If you intend to use the asparagus the day you buy it, wrap the spears in a damp cloth or paper towel and store it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. 

For Longer Storage

To keep asparagus at its freshest, store it as you would a bunch of fresh herbs. "I have tried all the ways, and this is just what keeps them from getting wrinkled and slimy better than anything else," says Jess Damuck, recipe developer, food stylist, and the cookbook author of Health Nut and Salad Freak.

1. Trim the ends of the spears, cutting off no more than an inch.
2. Stand them upright in a 2-cup glass measuring cup, wide-mouth mason jar, or a bowl with water covering the tips. (Don't pack them too tightly together; use two jars or cups if the asparagus is fat or your bunch is large.)
3. Cover the spears with a plastic bag.
4. Place in the refrigerator.

Check on the asparagus every day or so and refresh the water if it looks cloudy or has evaporated. 

How Long Asparagus Lasts

Fresh asparagus usually lasts three to five days in the refrigerator. If you store it like a bunch of herbs as outlined above, it should last longer—at least a week and, depending on how fresh it was when you bought it, up to 10 days.

Signs It's Getting Past its Best

If your asparagus starts to look limp, looses some green color, or appears wrinkled, these are all signs it’s time to use it up.

How to Revive Limp Asparagus

To revive wilted spears, trim the ends and submerge them in a bowl of water—they will plump up after about an hour in this chilly, refreshing bath.

How to Store Cooked Asparagus

Store cooked asparagus as you would other cooked food: in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last between three and five days.

Freezing Asparagus 

If you have a bumper crop of asparagus and want to save some for later, lucky you! Don't freeze it raw; rather, follow these steps. 

1. Blanch (parboil) the asparagus: Cook for between two and five minutes, depending on thickness.
2. Shock it in iced water to stop the cooking and preserve the green color.
3. Let the cooked asparagus cool.
4. Place on a rimmed baking sheet in the freezer until frozen. (This prevents the asparagus from freezing together in a hard lump.)
5. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze.

Frozen asparagus will last up to six months, but we generally use it within three months as the quality may start to decline after that time.