This list of Budget-Friendly Asparagus Recipes is filled with ideas for every meal, from sauces to side dishes and easy dinner ideas too.
For more ideas of what to cook, check out all of our recipes.
I absolutely love asparagus. Honestly, I would eat it with every meal if it wasn’t so darn expensive.
But, asparagus doesn’t have to feel like a splurge.
When you pair it more budget-friendly ingredients, you can stretch it into a delicious meal that your whole family will love and one that won’t break the bank.
If you need ideas for recipes to do just that, you’ve come to the right place.
This list is filled with recipes for side dishes, sauces with asparagus, and full meals. So you’ll be able to find something delicious to make with that bunch of asparagus spears sitting in your fridge.
Budget-Friendly Asparagus Recipes
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As we add more recipes with asparagus, we’ll be sure to update this list. So bookmark this page and come back to it later to see what we’ve added.
Asparagus Almondine
Asparagus almondine feels like a side dish you’d get at a high-end restaurant (and it is!), but it only takes 10 minutes to make, so you can make it at home anytime.
Crunchy almonds (the recipe’s namesake) are the perfect garnish for the cooked asparagus. And the combination will definitely impress all your guests.
Shaved Asparagus And Radish Salad
Asparagus is the star of this shaved asparagus and radish salad. But it’s the various textures that make it really fun.
The combination of the soft and crunchy vegetables, combined with the soft and crunchy toppings, really make this a great summer side dish.
Oven-Roasted Asparagus
If you’ve never made asparagus before, this oven-roasted asparagus is a great recipe to start with.
It’s a foolproof recipe that gives you asparagus that’s the perfect balance between soft and snappy. And the salty parmesan on top complements the asparagus so well.
Asparagus Carbonara
This asparagus carbonara is a great twist on the delicious classic recipe.
The way the asparagus pairs with the creamy cheese sauce makes this taste like an expensive, decadent recipe — even though it’s actually super budget friendly.
Grilled Asparagus Recipe
If you’re already grilling your proteins, like burgers or chicken, it makes so much sense to grill your sides too. And this grilled asparagus is the perfect side dish to barbecue.
The grill gives the asparagus a nice smoky flavor without you having to do anything extra. And, even better: This is unintentionally vegan, so it’s perfect to accompany any plant-based meals you’re grilling too.
Asparagus Pesto
Kale pesto is my favorite pesto, but don’t sleep on asparagus pesto. It’s delicious.
It’s the perfect sauce for orecchiette pasta when you’re having company you want to impress. It works great as a dip for bread and a sandwich spread too.
Asparagus: Frequently Asked Questions
Texture: Asparagus should be firm to the touch, but also bend slightly. Choose spears that aren’t squishy or flimsy.
Color: Make sure the color is bright and vibrant. If the color looks dull, don’t purchase it.
Buds: Each stalk should have a tight bud. If they don’t, or if they look like they’re about to fall off, skip it.
Size: Size doesn’t really matter for ripeness, but you want the stalks to be similarly sized so they cook evenly.
Rinse asparagus under water, making sure to clean under the tips and leaves in case there’s any grit there. Dry it completely because excess water can cause it to steam rather than sauté. Then, snap off the bottom of the asparagus (the woody ends) at its natural break.
If you have leftover raw asparagus, fill a tall glass with water and store the asparagus upright. It will last two to three days that way.
If you have leftover cooked asparagus, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days.
Asparagus is best eaten as soon as possible and leftovers don’t reheat that well, so try to only buy what you’ll be able to consume in the day or two after purchase.
What Does Asparagus Pair Well With?
Asparagus is an easy way to make any protein feel special. Some of our favorite dinners to serve with asparagus are:
- Grilled chicken (like Chicken Oscar with lump crab meat and Hollandaise sauce)
- Fish, steak, or pork chops
- Pasta (like Linguine with Clam Sauce)
- Fun weeknight dinners (like Pork Rind-Crusted Chicken Fingers)
- Summer grilling meals (like Grilled Shrimp Kabobs)
- And budget-friendly recipes (like Tuna Cakes)
No matter what you’re making, there’s an asparagus side dish to go with it.
Have you tried any of these Budget-Friendly Asparagus Recipes? Let us know what you thought in the comments.