Instant Pot Asparagus

This Instant Pot asparagus recipe couldn’t be any simpler, yielding ultra-tender spears of asparagus in the snap of a finger!

Why this recipe works

Instant pot asparagus is incredibly easy with just a handful of ingredients (if we’re counting seasonings!). This recipe yields very soft spears of asparagus, which is ideal for cream of asparagus soup, or for those who enjoy their asparagus on the ultra-tender side. Due to the steam and pressure, you won’t achieve the same crispness that you would get from roasted or grilled asparagus.

If you like your asparagus tender-crisp, we don’t recommend using the Instant Pot. While this is a great way for new pressure cooker users to learn how to use their Instant Pot, there are better ways to cook asparagus to get that crisp factor you’re looking for. For those who love softer spears, this is the recipe for you!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

ASPARAGUS – Choose bright green asparagus stalks with firm, dry tips. You want the stalks to be of similar widths as much as possible so they cook at the same rate; medium stalks are ideal. Smaller or thin stalks of asparagus are better suited for sauteeing or roasting.

ADDITIONS – Butter is a no-brainer, as well as a dash of garlic salt and black pepper. You can absolutely add garlic or seasonings as you see fit.

How to Make Instant Pot Asparagus

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. First, you’ll need to trim enough off the ends of the asparagus spears so that they fit into your pressure cooker.
2. With gloved hands, coat the spears with butter.
3. Season with garlic salt and pepper.
4. Add water to the Instant Pot and put the rack in place.
5. Place prepared asparagus spears in the pot and close the lid.
6. Pressure cook on low for ZERO minutes.
7. Once it comes to pressure, immediately do a quick release and remove the asparagus from the pot to prevent further cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

Serve your Instant Pot asparagus optionally topped with a squeeze of lemon juice, shredded Parmesan cheese, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Pair with steak, chicken, or fish, to name a few.

This is my go-to method for steaming asparagus to make cream of asparagus soup because it’s so hands-off and insanely simple!

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Broccoli
• Instant Pot Cauliflower
• Instant Pot Green Beans
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

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Instant Pot Asparagus

Instant pot asparagus is crazy easy to prepare in just 15 minutes – most of that time is from waiting for the Instant pot to come to pressure!

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IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

20 minutes mins

Calories: 48

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound asparagus spears medium width
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon butter well softened
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic salt
• ▢ ½ cup water

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  Instant pot
• ▢
  Chef’s knife
• ▢
  Mixing bowls

Before You Begin

• Choose bright green asparagus stalks with firm, dry tips. You want the stalks to be of similar widths as much as possible so they cook at the same rate, medium is ideal. Smaller or thin stalks of asparagus are better suited for sauteeing or roasting.

Instructions

• First, you’ll need to trim enough off the ends of the asparagus spears so that they fit into your pressure cooker.
  1 pound asparagus spears
• With gloved hands, coat the spears with butter.
  1 Tablespoon butter
• Season with garlic salt and pepper.
  1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• Add water to the instant pot and put the rack in place.
  1/2 cup water
• Place prepared asparagus spears in the pot and close the lid.
• Pressure cook on low for ZERO minutes.
• Once it comes to pressure, immediately do a quick release and remove asparagus from the pot to prevent further cooking.

Expert Tips & FAQs

• Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (1/4 pound) | Calories: 48cal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 317mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 945IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.