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    Home » Recipes » Side Dish

    Instant Pot Asparagus

    Published: Mar 11, 2020 · Updated: Apr 7, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 16 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pin for asparagus.

    Learn how to cook perfectly crisp and tender asparagus in the Instant Pot every time with this easy and fail-proof recipe!

    Plate of cooked asparagus with the Instant Pot in the corner

    Asparagus is a perfect spring-time veggie. And while it's easy to cook on the stovetop, there are times when it’s just more convenient to use the Instant Pot. It’s easy, quick, hands-off, and reliable.

    Cook perfectly crisp-tender asparagus in less than 15 minutes with this quick and easy recipe.

    Ingredients you'll need

    To get started, you'll need the following ingredients:

    • Fresh asparagus (I like to use spears with medium thickness when making this recipe). Rinse and dry before triming the ends of each stalk.
    • A cup of water
    • A few optional ingredients to add flavor, such as lemon juice, fresh herbs, extra-virgin olive oil (or melted butter), sea salt, black pepper

    You'll also need the following tools:

    • Knife
    • An Instant Pot (I use both the Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results)
    • A steamer basket or trivet
    • Tongs

    How to cook Instant Pot asparagus

    1. Add ingredients to Instant Pot: Pour 1 cup of water into the stainless steel insert before placing the trivet or steamer basket inside. Then, carefully arrange the asparagus onto the steamer basket.

    2. Pressure cook: Cook on High Pressure for 0 minutes.

    3. Quick-release steam: Once the pressure cooker reaches pressure, immediately quick release the pressure and carefully remove the lid. 

    Note: Release pressure as soon as your pressure cooker beeps to indicate it's come to pressure. Otherwise, you’ll end up with mushy vegetables.

    3. Remove: Using tongs, remove the cooked asparagus.

    Tongs picking up the cooked asparagus from the Instant Pot

    4. Add dressing and serve: In a separate plate, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss and serve.

    Serving suggestions

    Prepared asparagus can be served in endless ways. Here are some of my favorites:

    • Side dish: It’s such a versatile side dish and easy to serve with any main dish. Toss with extra-virgin olive oil (or butter), salt, and pepper. Or infused with more flavors, such as garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon juice.
    • Add dressing: Drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette, lemon tahini sauce or balsamic vinaigrette.
    • With a grain: Serve with rice (jasmine rice, black rice, or brown rice) or another grain (quinoa or wheat berries)

    Commonly asked questions

    How do I store leftovers? Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. Since it doesn't reheat well, I prefer to chop it up and add it to my salads or bowls.

    What size Instant Pot did you use? I’ve tested this recipe on both my Duo Mini 3-Quart and DUO 6-Quart with great results. However, you may need to tweak your settings based on preference, the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.

    A plate of cooked asparagus topped with flaky salt.

    More pressure cooker recipes

    • How to Cook Perfect Quinoa in the Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Chickpeas
    • Indian Chickpea Curry
    • Perfectly Hard-Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

    Are you looking to cook other vegetables in your pressure cooker? Check out beets, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli.

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it turned out. Save this easy recipe for later by pinning to your favorite recipe Pinterest board and be sure to tag me on Real + Vibrant’s Instagram to show me your creation!

    Editor’s note: This recipe was originally published on March 30, 2019. Since then, it’s been freshened up with more helpful details and made even more delicious.

    Plate of cooked asparagus with the Instant Pot in the corner.

    Instant Pot Asparagus

    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep time: 5 minutes
    Cook time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 108kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    Learn how to cook perfectly crisp and tender asparagus in the pressure cooker every time with this easy and fail-proof Instant Pot recipe! 

    Ingredients

    • 1 bunch asparagus
    • 1 cup water

    Dressing

    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, or melted butter
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Rinse and dry before trimming the ends of each stalk.
    • Pour 1 cup of water into the stainless steel insert of the Instant Pot before placing the trivet or steamer basket inside. Then, carefully arrange the asparagus onto the steamer basket.
    • Cook on High Pressure for 0 minutes.
    • Once the pressure cooker reaches pressure, immediately quick release the pressure and carefully remove the lid. 
    • Using tongs, remove from the Instant Pot.
    • In a separate bowl, drizzle cooked asparagus with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss and serve.

    Notes

    It’s extremely important to release pressure immediately (as soon as your Instant Pot beeps after coming to pressure), otherwise you’ll end up with a mushy dish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 108kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 156mg, Potassium: 455mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1701IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 54mg, Iron: 5mg
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
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    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. James Riley says

      July 27, 2020 at 4:32 pm

      Recipe say cook for 0 mins ?

      Reply
    2. Rick says

      May 09, 2020 at 4:40 pm

      Absolutely perfectly cooked. A little sea salt and butter made them delicious! Asparagus were crunchy and soooo tasty.5 stars

      Reply
    3. Franny says

      March 22, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      So easy to make - thank you!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        March 22, 2020 at 6:37 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Michelle says

      October 30, 2019 at 9:08 pm

      I really need to get my instant pot so often. I never thought of using it just to steam veggies. Great photos here!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 9:37 pm

        Thank you, Michelle!

        Reply
    5. Ashley says

      October 30, 2019 at 8:36 pm

      Wow! Who knew it could be so fast?! Thanks for the tip about releasing the steam immediately!

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 9:38 pm

        It's pretty quick! Thanks, Ashley!

        Reply
    6. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      October 30, 2019 at 11:59 am

      Going to make it again for a family gathering this weeI made this recipe last weekend and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 9:40 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    7. Katie says

      October 30, 2019 at 11:44 am

      Made this for my family and it was a hit!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 9:47 pm

        So happy to hear, Katie!

        Reply
    8. Anita says

      October 30, 2019 at 11:31 am

      What a neat way to prepare steamed asparagus. And I love your suggested dressing. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 9:47 pm

        Thanks, Anita! So glad it was helpful.

        Reply
    9. Kaitlin says

      October 30, 2019 at 10:48 am

      My steamed asparagus always comes out soggy but this technique made all the difference!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        December 07, 2019 at 9:47 pm

        So happy to hear, Katilin!

        Reply

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    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

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