How to Store Asparagus

Before storing asparagus, freezing asparagus or enjoying it in a delicious dish or salad, start out with the basics. That means washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to keep uninvited guests from crashing your meal.

Now, ready to get your prep on? Follow these simple steps to store asparagus that hasn't been cooked yet.

Step 1: Wrap It Up

Wrap the stem side of the asparagus in a wet paper towel.

Step 2: Bag It Up

Put the asparagus in a plastic bag, such as Glad® FLEX'N SEAL™ Quart Bags.

Step 3: Cool It Off

Pop the bag of asparagus in your fridge's crisper.

Keep in mind that it's not just about how to store asparagus but also where you store it. Certain fruits like apricots, nectarines, pears and plums give off a gas called ethylene as they ripen, which causes asparagus to go bad too quickly. So just be mindful to store these high-ethylene-producing fruits separately from your asparagus.

How to Freeze Asparagus

If you're looking to freeze asparagus, you'll want to give your spears a good blanching first. Not sure how? Follow these steps to prep your asparagus for the freezer.

Step 1: Get Your Boil On

Cook the spears in boiling water for two to three minutes.

Step 2: Give Asparagus the Cold Treatment

Remove the piping hot spears and plunge the asparagus into a bowl of ice water until cool.

Step 3: Drop Your Asparagus in a Freezer Bag

Next, drain the spears and set aside. Dry your asparagus off using a paper towel. Then, place your asparagus in a plastic freezer bag, like Glad® FLEX'N SEAL™ Freezer Quart Bags.

Step 4: Tuck Your Asparagus Away

Squeeze out as much air as possible and tuck the bag into your freezer. And that, my friend, is how you freeze asparagus.

How to Defrost Asparagus

You've learned how to store asparagus and how to freeze asparagus, so now you may be wondering how to thaw it? Well, the answer is don't. Thawing asparagus can cause it to lose crispness, so it's best just to cook the frozen asparagus straight away.

How Long Asparagus Lasts

Now that you're a pro at storing asparagus, you're probably wondering, "How long does asparagus last in the fridge?" Well, raw asparagus should keep for three to four days. And when it comes to freezing asparagus that's been blanched, it should keep for up to five months.

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