After a long stretch of heavy meals and empty produce shelves, asparagus is one of the first fresh things to show up and actually feel like a change. It’s crisp, green, and shows up right when you’re ready to stop pretending frozen vegetables are cutting it. These recipes use asparagus in ways that make the most of the season without making things complicated. You don’t need much to make it work, just a few simple ingredients and a reason to eat something that isn’t beige.
Bacon and Asparagus Fried Couscous
This pan-fried couscous uses bacon fat to crisp things up and bring a rich base to the dish, while fresh asparagus adds the brightness you expect this time of year. It’s the kind of meal that’s easy to throw together with ingredients you already have, but still feels right for spring. If you’re trying to make dinner feel like the season finally changed, this one gets you there fast.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Asparagus Fried Couscous
Shaved Asparagus Blood Orange Salad
This salad hits with sharp citrus, crisp asparagus, and a sprinkle of toasted quinoa for crunch. It’s light, quick, and exactly what you want when heavier meals start to feel out of place. The mix of fresh textures and clean flavors makes this one feel like spring on a plate without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Asparagus Blood Orange Salad
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
When asparagus shows up in the produce aisle, this is the easiest way to use it fast. Wrapped in bacon and crisped in the air fryer, these bundles cook in minutes and work as a side or snack. It’s the kind of recipe that reminds you spring food doesn’t have to be complicated to be worth making.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Air Fryer Crispy Asparagus Fries
These crispy asparagus fries are a lighter take on a classic snack, made easy in the air fryer or oven. Serve them with a quick lemon dijon dip and they suddenly feel like something way more seasonal than frozen fries. This is a great pick for spring when you’re ready to move away from heavier sides.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Asparagus Fries
Garlic Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Potatoes
Toss asparagus and potatoes on a sheet pan with balsamic, olive oil, and garlic, and let the oven do the rest. It’s a no-stress side dish that works for weeknights but holds up just as well for spring dinners with company. This one gets bonus points for feeding a lot of people without extra work.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Potatoes
Lemony Shaved Asparagus Salad
Bright lemon, salty parmesan, and thin shavings of raw asparagus come together in a salad that feels like it’s announcing the arrival of spring. It’s fresh, fast, and doesn’t need much else to be the highlight of the meal. Great on its own or next to something grilled once the weather finally cooperates.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Shaved Asparagus Salad
Asparagus Omelette Souffle
This fluffy omelette is loaded with asparagus and green onions, and it cooks up light but still holds together as a real breakfast or brunch. It’s the kind of dish that shows up when you’re ready for a seasonal reset but still want to keep things simple. A little goat cheese takes it from basic to something worth making again.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Omelette Souffle
Instant Pot Asparagus
This one’s proof you can make asparagus fast and not mess it up. A little garlic, butter, and oil is all you need to get perfectly tender asparagus in just a few minutes. It’s the easiest way to make a spring side without babysitting the stove or cleaning another pan.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Asparagus
One-Pot Parmesan Noodles with Asparagus
Noodles, asparagus, and parmesan all cook together in one pot for a quick dinner that feels like the weather finally warmed up. It’s simple but balanced, with just enough richness from the cheese and plenty of freshness from the asparagus. This is one of those low-effort dinners that still feels right for the season.
Get the Recipe: One-Pot Parmesan Noodles with Asparagus
Roasted Caesar Asparagus
Toss asparagus in Caesar dressing and roast it until crispy at the edges. It’s salty, bold, and a great change of pace from plain steamed vegetables. This one works well when you want something fast that still leans into spring without falling back on the same old sides.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Caesar Asparagus
Asparagus & Feta Quinoa Salad
This salad pulls together quinoa, fresh asparagus, and feta for a quick meal or side that holds up well in the fridge. It’s got enough protein to make it a full lunch and enough texture to make it interesting. Perfect for spring meal prep or as a dish to bring to a picnic once the weather turns around.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus & Feta Quinoa Salad
Asparagus Chicken Quinoa Bake
This bake uses chicken, quinoa, and asparagus to make a filling dinner that still feels light. It’s hearty without being heavy and comes together in one dish, which makes cleanup easy too. A good option when you want something that works for leftovers but still feels like it fits the season.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Chicken Quinoa Bake
Creamy Asparagus Casserole with Fresh Asparagus
Fresh asparagus bakes into a creamy casserole topped with crispy breadcrumbs for a side that works any time of year but makes the most sense in spring. It’s comfort food that doesn’t feel out of place now that the season’s shifted. Serve it with a simple protein or take it to a spring gathering.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Asparagus Casserole with Fresh Asparagus
Pickled Asparagus Recipe
Pickled asparagus adds a crisp, tangy bite to salads, sandwiches, and snack boards. It’s easy to prep ahead and a smart way to make asparagus last past its peak season. Perfect for when you buy a little too much and want to use it up before it turns.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Asparagus Recipe
Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart
Layer asparagus and cheese on puff pastry and bake until golden. It’s simple to make but looks like you put in real effort. This is one of those recipes that’s great for spring brunch or a light lunch when people stop by and you want something that feels just right for the season.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart
Asparagus Pecan Salad
Fresh asparagus, crunchy pecans, goat cheese, and dried cranberries come together in a salad that feels like it’s built for spring. A little balsamic pulls it all together, and it holds up well on its own or next to anything grilled. It’s colorful, easy to prep, and always gets finished.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus Pecan Salad
Ham Asparagus Scones
These savory scones combine bits of ham with asparagus for a bake that works on any spring brunch table. They’re flaky, rich, and hold their own next to eggs or fresh fruit. A great way to use up leftover ham and make asparagus feel like it belongs at breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Ham Asparagus Scones
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.