How to Sous Vide Asparagus?

Asparagus is one of the most delicious vegetables. It’s an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, especially Vitamin K.

But, asparagus is a delicate vegetable, and it can easily break apart when cooked. The best way to cook asparagus is to sous vide it.

Asparagus is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet. The easiest way to cook it is to simply boil it in a pot of water with some salt and lemon.

You can also grill or fry it, but the sous vide method will give you the best texture and flavor.

This method will give you perfectly cooked asparagus every time.

Why Cook Asparagus Sous Vide?

Asparagus is easy to cook, but it’s also easy to overcook. There’s a very fine line between snappy and soggy!

The real advantage of sous vide with vegetables like this is that it guarantees consistent results.

The asparagus will be firmer and more intensely asparagus-y tasting than with other cooking methods.

Freshness also makes a difference with flavor when you cook asparagus sous vide, so look for local, just-picked asparagus if you can. Locally grown asparagus is just going to taste better. 

How Long to Cook Asparagus Sous Vide?

In comparison to a lot of other sous vide recipes, asparagus cooks up fairly quickly—it can be ready within 6 to 10 minutes, depending on how thick the spears are.

Longer cook times are required for more dense vegetables, such as potatoes, and large cuts of meat.

If your asparagus is pencil-thin, cook them for 6 or 7 minutes and then check to see if they’re tender.

Cook asparagus that’s a little thicker for 7 or 8 minutes, then check it. If a fork doesn’t go into it easily, you need a couple more minutes.

When it’s done, the asparagus ought to be vivid green and tender.

See Also: How Long to Sous Vide Potatoes?

How to Select Asaparagus?

The number one rule when selecting asparagus is that the tips should be tightly closed for the freshest product.

The diameter of the stalks is more a matter of personal preference when sous vide cooking.

Color is a matter of preference. Asparagus can be green, purple, or white, depending on the variety. Make sure the color is not faded.

A good grocer will chill asparagus or store it standing upright in a bin of water.

Asparagus is considered part of the “Clean 15” meaning organic is nice but not imperative.

Time and Temperature for Sous Vide Asparagus

Sous vide veggies are typically cooked at high temperatures, around 180 degrees F, and asparagus is no different.

However, one nice change is the time: it only takes a few minutes to cook sous vide asparagus!

If your stalks are super thin, reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes. Otherwise, plan on a 12-minute cook.

So, for sous vide asparagus, you’ll cook at 180 degrees F for just 12 minutes.

What is the right texture for sous vide asparagus?

Unlike roasted asparagus, sous vide asparagus will maintain more of its original crunch, as long as it’s not overcooked.

Ingredients

To cook sous vide asparagus Ingredients required-

• A bunch of fresh asparagus
• Some garlic, butter, and salt.(The butter is pretty important, as this sous vide asparagus recipe poaches the veg in butter.)
• Topping with a squeeze of fresh lemon, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and fresh cracked pepper.
• For a non vegan sous vide dish, crumble some overnight sous vide bacon or prepare sous vide soft boiled eggs to serve on top.

How to refrigerate sous vide asparagus?

Store cooked asparagus in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. Don’t eat if it has lost its characteristic bright green color.

What to serve with sous vide asparagus

Sous vide asparagus pairs well with almost any protein, but especially so with seafood: salmon, white fish, or garlic sous vide shrimp kebabs are a few of our favorites.

They also go well with sautéed mushrooms and baked potatoes.

And if you just want to sous vide everything, make a batch of sous vide little potatoes.

If wanted to go a bit fancier, try making gourmet sous vide prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. It’s a favorite in my house, along with these sous vide Brussels sprouts.

See Also: How Long to Sear After Sous Vide?

Plating tips for asparagus

Try to avoid cutting sous vide asparagus and take advantage of the asparagus’s length to set it parallel to your protein. This will give interest and movement to your plate.

There’s a recipe for sous vide asparagus served with almonds in my new book – The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook. The book has 100+ recipes with an entire chapter on sous vide vegetables.

Frequently Asked Question

What is sous vide?

Sous vide is a technique of cooking food at a low temperature. It’s a method of cooking that uses vacuum-sealed bags to cook food for a long time.

The food is cooked in water and then sealed in a bag.

What’s the best way to cook asparagus sous vide?

The best way to cook asparagus sous vide is to use a vacuum sealer. You can cook it in the bag for up to three hours.

What’s the difference between cooking it sous vide and steaming it?

Steaming is a quick method of cooking. It involves boiling water and placing food in a pot. You don’t need to worry about sealing the bag, because you are cooking in a pot.

What’s the best way to store cooked asparagus?

You can either refrigerate it or freeze it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many different ways to cook asparagus, including boiling, steaming, and roasting.

But when you want to add a little bit of something special to your meal, cooking it sous vide is the way to go.

It’s a process that involves vacuum sealing the food in a bag, submerging it in hot water, and then cooking it at a precise temperature for a specified amount of time.

It’s a method that has been used in professional kitchens for years, and it’s becoming increasingly popular among home cooks and even some professional chefs.