How To Trim Asparagus The Right Way

Asparagus celebrates the start of spring. As days warm up and winter gives way to sunshine and blooming flowers, bunches of vibrant green stalks pop up at farmers' stands and grocery stores.

But whether you prefer your asparagus on the thick or thin side, it's essential to trim the pale ends of each stalk before cooking because they tend to be woody and tough. Learning how to trim asparagus properly will help ensure every asparagus dish is enjoyable for everyone at the table.

Should You Snap Asparagus?

If you grew up snapping green beans, you might think bending each asparagus stalk until the end snaps is the best practice. It's a simple method and doesn't even require a knife. The stalk will break right where it starts to get tough—or that's what you thought all these years.

The truth is that the bend-and-snap method can actually waste delicious asparagus. Where a stalk breaks depends on the overall thickness of the stalk (skinny stalks are more flexible), how you bend it, and even how fresh the asparagus is (super-fresh asparagus tends to be more rigid). So although it might look like you're getting rid of the tough ends, you're probably also snapping off too much of the edible green stalks.

The Best Way To Trim Asparagus

The best way to trim asparagus is also the most obvious: with a chef's knife and cutting board. Line up all the spears in a row and slice off the ends simultaneously. Cut right above where the stalks turn from white to green.

If you're still not convinced, compare two asparagus stalks of the same length and size side-by-side. Use the bend-and-snap method with one stalk and see how it compares to a stalk trimmed with a knife. The snapped stalk will probably be a few inches shorter.

And when you're talking asparagus—which can be pricey, even in season—a few inches can make a big difference.

What You Need

• Colander
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife
• Tea towel
• Bunch of asparagus
  

How To Properly Trim Asparagus

To get the most asparagus for your buck, follow this step-by-step guide for learning how to trim asparagus.

Step 1. Sort Your Asparagus

Unwrap or untie the asparagus bundle. Before you start, sort through your asparagus bundles and remove any stalks that look shriveled or dark. They won't be fit to cook. Depending on your dish, you may also want to sort the asparagus by size, removing any overly thick or skinny spears so that the asparagus will cook evenly.

Step 2. Wash Asparagus

Rinse all spears in a colander under cool water. Shake loosely to remove as much water as possible, then pat dry with a paper towel or tea towel to remove excess water. Too much water on the asparagus will prevent oil and seasoning from adhering to the vegetables.

Step 3. Trim Asparagus

Once dry, arrange the asparagus stalks so that the woody ends align. Then, use a large chef's knife to trim 1 to 2 inches off the ends of the stalks. Fatter spears may require more trimming than tender, thin spears.

Discard the woody asparagus ends, or save them for stock.

Do You Need to Trim Asparagus?

It is not necessary to trim asparagus. On some spears, especially fresh, pencil-thin stalks, the woody ends may tenderize once cooked. But on larger stalks, the ends of the asparagus are often woody and dense—Which makes them difficult to chew, no matter how soft the asparagus is after cooking.

When in doubt, trim the asparagus ends so you aren't left chewing for far too long on an inedible piece.