Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (2024)

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Make this refreshing quick pickled asparagus with everyday pantry ingredients like garlic, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Pickling has never been easier!

Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (1)

Love pickled veggies? Try out our pickled jalapenos recipe!

What are Pickled Asparagus?

Pickled asparagus is exactly what it sounds like. Fresh asparagus is pickled in a vinegar mixture, preserving the asparagus for up to two weeks. They retains its crisp texture, but a salty, sweet, and tangy flavor is added during the pickling process. It’s a wonderful side dish to have on hand for any last-minute needs.

How to Make Pickled Asparagus

Pickling can seem intimidating, but there is nothing intimidating about this quick-pickling method.

  • Prepare the asparagus: Cut off the ends of the asparagus spears. Place asparagus and sliced garlic cloves inside a jar tall enough to fit them.
  • Boil the liquid: In a medium pot, boil the water, white vinegar, sugar, peppercorns, and salt.
  • Pour liquid into jar: Pour the hot brine over the asparagus. Let it sit uncovered for 15 minutes, then seal with a lid.
  • Marinate: Marinate the asparagus (once cooled) in the fridge for at least 24 hours.

Hot tip: We love using these tall jars to store the asparagus. They’re the perfect height to cover the veggie fully.

Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (2)
Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (3)
Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (4)
Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (5)

Tips from the Kitchen

Make your pickled asparagus the best by following these quick tips.

  • Choose thin or medium asparagus: Thin to medium-sized asparagus spears will pickle the best. Tough, thicker spears don’t become as tender or flavorful when pickled.
  • Prepare the asparagus: Snap off the ends of the asparagus. The ends often don’t pickle too well. Here’s a quick video on how to break off the asparagus ends. There’s no need to blanch them prior to pickling.
  • Make it spicy: For an added kick, add a few slices of jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the pickling liquid.
  • Add more herbs and spices: For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like dill or parsley or spices such as celery seeds and mustard seeds.

Serving

Enjoy pickled asparagus straight out of the fridge as a refreshing, crispy snack. Or, place a few spears as part of a charcuterie board. For breakfast, add it to avocado toast with your other favorite toppings. For lunch, add it into a garlic bread sandwich or chop it into pieces and throw into a garden salad. When it’s time for dinner, serve them as a side veggie dish to a protein such as grilled chicken thighs or grilled ribeye steak.

Storage Tips

The whole reason behind pickling vegetables is to increase the life of the veggie. Pickled asparagus taste the best after 1-3 days of marinating, but will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.

FAQ

What is the gray stuff on pickled asparagus?

Occasionally pickled asparagus develops white/gray flecks. This is a normal reaction to a protein found in asparagus that reacts harmlessly with vinegar. Asparagus with these specks are safe to eat.

Why did my pickled asparagus shrivel?

Pickled asparagus might shrivel due to the vinegar pulling out liquid from inside the asparagus.

How do I know if the pickled asparagus is bad?

Pickled asparagus is bad when it smells off, tastes weird, or looks odd. Avoid eating asparagus that has been pickled for longer than two weeks.

What’s the difference between canning and pickling?

Canning is the use of containers to preserve foods, whereas pickling is the process of treating food with an acid to prolong shelf life. Pickled foods can sometimes be canned (like pickles), but not all canned foods are pickled (such as jam and jelly).

More Pickling Recipes

  • Pickled Mushrooms – Effortless quick-pickled mushrooms
  • Pickled Onions – Perfect on salads or steak sandwiches!
  • Quick Pickled Cucumbers – Pickled cucumbers that last up to four months!
  • Quick Pickled Beets – Crunchy, tangy beets that go great with goat or feta cheese

Recipe

Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (6)

Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe

Print Pin

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

Make this refreshing quick pickled asparagus with everyday pantry ingredients like garlic, vinegar, sugar, and spices. Pickling has never been easier!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb asparagus, ends snapped off
  • 5 garlic cloves sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp peppercorns

US UnitsMetric

Instructions

  • Prepare asparagus by cutting off the ends. Place the asparagus and sliced garlic cloves inside a jar tall enough to fit them.

  • In a medium pot, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and peppercorns. Bring the brine to a boil.

  • Pour the marinade over the asparagus. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then seal with a lid. Allow the asparagus to marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours.

Nutrition Facts

Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 75 Calories from Fat 3

% Daily Value*

Fat 0.3g0%

Saturated Fat 0.1g1%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.02g

Sodium 1754mg73%

Potassium 280mg8%

Carbohydrates 13g4%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 871IU17%

Vitamin C 8mg10%

Calcium 55mg6%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Quick Pickled Asparagus Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to blanch asparagus before pickling? ›

While blanching the asparagus is not strictly necessary, it's worth the time investment to allow that tasty brine to fully permeate the stalks. Blanching should be brief to soften the flesh enough to allow the brine to fully penetrate the firm stalks without cooking the vegetable to mush.

Is pickled asparagus healthy to eat everyday? ›

Is Pickled Asparagus Good for You? Pickled asparagus is full of fiber and probiotics, which makes it great for digestion. Asparagus, in general, is a great, healthy, and delicious vegetable source of Vitamin B6, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.

What is the GREY stuff on pickled asparagus? ›

The gray flecks are RUTIN, a plant based antioxidant, which is harmless. According to the University of Califorina Cooperative Extension, when asparagus is heated with vinegar, the bioflavonoid rutin is drawn out of the asparagus. It becomes insoluble and crystallizes, leaving the spots on the surface of the asparagus.

Does pickled asparagus need to be refrigerated? ›

We're also not canning the pickles, which means that you'll need to store them in the fridge. They should keep for about 2 weeks, though if you're anything like me, you'll polish them off way faster than that. Here's how you'll make them: First, prep the asparagus.

What happens if you don't blanch asparagus? ›

Like most vegetables, if frozen raw, the texture, taste, colour and nutritional value of asparagus deteriorates. Make sure you blanch or cook the veg first to preserve these elements.

Is it better to blanch or steam asparagus? ›

One easy way to cook asparagus is to blanch it. Not only is it quick, but blanching also helps retain the vegetable's vibrant green color. Plus, blanched asparagus results in a crisp-tender texture, perfect for recipes like Asparagus Salad with Eggs & Jambon de Bayonne and Tarragon Scallops on Asparagus Spears.

What is the disadvantage of eating too much asparagus? ›

However, eating asparagus can also have some side effects: Because of its high fiber content, asparagus can cause flatulence, stomach cramps, and gastric upset in some people. Asparagus contains asparagusic acid that may break down to sulfurous compounds and lend a funny smell to your urine.

What organs does asparagus help? ›

Asparagus contains potassium, an important nutrient for keeping your heart, bones, kidneys and nerves functioning and healthy. You may be surprised to learn that this stalky vegetable also consists of a compound called asparaptine, which may help improve blood flow, in turn lowering blood pressure.

Does asparagus clean your liver and kidneys? ›

Asparagus contains glutathione, a well-known antioxidant that promotes detoxification. It is also a good source of fiber, folate, iron, and vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as being beneficial to those with high blood pressure. Asparagus is also known to promote kidney and bladder function.

What are the weird spots on pickled asparagus? ›

Not to worry; those white/gray flecks are perfectly safe to eat. The flecks are actually a protein buildup called Rutin, a natural flavonoid in asparagus that sometimes reacts harmlessly with the vinegar.

Are pickled asparagus good for your gut? ›

We've heard great testimonials from some of our regular customers who tried our pickled asparagus and were amazed at how much it helped their digestion. They were able to say goodbye to bloating and constipation, and some even experienced a bowel cleanse that left them feeling lighter, cleaner, and more energized.

What are the white bumps on pickled asparagus? ›

But after preserving your prized asparagus, have you noticed some little yellow/white spots form on the surface? Is it safe to eat? The answer is yes, it is safe to eat. These little specks are called rutin.

What is the pink stuff on pickled asparagus? ›

These flakes are called rutin and occur naturally in canned asparagus. The asparagus is perfectly safe to eat as long as it was prepared and processed correctly.

Can you eat asparagus raw? ›

Asparagus, a vegetable with a high nutritional value, can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its chewy texture, cooking is the most common preparation method. However, thinly sliced ​​or seasoned raw asparagus can give the dish just as much flavor.

How long is pickled asparagus good for? ›

Refrigerate up to 4 weeks.

Do you need to blanch before pickling? ›

If you're using green vegetables — to make, for example, green bean pickles or zucchini pickles — you can blanch vegetables first in boiling water for two to three minutes and then shock them in an ice bath to preserve their color, but this step is purely optional.

What happens if you don't blanch asparagus before freezing? ›

But you can't just freeze fresh asparagus spears. You'll need to blanch them first. Blanching asparagus preserves the color and nutrition, and it keeps the texture and taste as close to fresh as possible. If you freeze raw asparagus, you can expect a mushy, mealy mess when it's used.

How long do you blanch asparagus before canning? ›

Cut into even lengths to fit containers. Water blanch small spears for 2 minutes, medium spears 3 minutes, and large spears 4 minutes. Reduce blanching time for shorter pieces. Cool promptly in cold water or ice water, drain thoroughly and pat dry.

What vegetables should be blanched before pickling? ›

Vegetables
  • red onion.
  • cauliflower.
  • carrots.
  • jalapenos.
  • cucumbe,
  • radishes.
  • beets.
  • green beans and asparagus are also fun but benefit from blanching first. The other veggies can go into the jar raw.
Sep 13, 2023

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