The Only Way To Prevent Asparagus From Turning Limp and Slimy, According to a Farmer

Asparagus tastes great—it's so earthy and vibrant. At peak springtime, I buy it as often as possible. Then I uncover stalks in the fridge that I forget about (for not too long), and they are limp and slimy. That’s not cool at all! So I set out to learn how to keep asparagus from turning icky before I get the chance to enjoy them.

The Best Way to Keep Asparagus Fresh

“Asparagus is essentially a cut flower stalk, so to keep it fresh you should treat it like a flower,” suggests Nino Budabin McQuown, a project manager with the Farmers Market Coalition and a former farmer who grew asparagus in upstate New York. 

Start by finding something that works as a vase. “To keep asparagus fresh straight from the field, my favorite thing is to place stalks upright in a mason jar with their bottoms submerged in fresh clean water, and then put them in the refrigerator,” says Budabin McQuown.

You can place a loose plastic bag over the asparagus tips to help protect them from damage if they’re jostled around in the fridge.

“It’s important to keep asparagus hydrated and cold to maintain its crispness and freshness,” says Budabin McQuown. “Another option is to wrap the base of your asparagus in a lightly moistened paper towel and put it in a sealable plastic bag.”

Where To Store Asparagus

Different foods fare better depending on where you keep them in the refrigerator. The fridge door, for example, is convenient but it’s not a great place for highly perishable items like meat and dairy. It can, however, be a good spot for an asparagus bouquet.

"Since I usually have them in a mason jar, I generally keep my asparagus in the refrigerator door, or anywhere tall enough to accommodate the stalks without bending or crushing them,” says Budabin McQuown. If you store your spears in a zip-top bag, then consider putting them in the crisper drawer.

Moisture Is Good 

Unlike some produce, like strawberries which can spoil faster when wet, asparagus likes moisture. Water is key to help asparagus stalks stay fresh. 

“Like any cut flower, asparagus keeps better when it’s hydrated,” says Budabin McQuown. “But the growing tips of asparagus stalks are delicate, so the whole vegetable should not be wet or submerged.”

How Long Asparagus Lasts

If stored correctly, asparagus can last four days to a week, depending on how fresh it was when you bought it. It’s pretty easy to tell when asparagus is no longer at its best.

“Asparagus gets floppy when it’s losing moisture, and the growing tips can begin to rot,” says Budabin McQuown.

Choose carefully when you’re shopping for asparagus. “Look for firm, well-hydrated stalks and tight, fresh-looking flowerheads,” says Budabin McQuown. “Asparagus that was picked past its prime will have heads that are starting to open, while asparagus that’s been stored improperly may be starting to go limp or rot at the tips.”