Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Asparagus

Free up your kitchen with this slow cooker lemon garlic asparagus recipe.  Asparagus slow cooks to perfection in a homemade sauce that is low-carb, paleo, vegan, and Whole30 compatible. The result is a flavorful side dish that pairs with a large variety of main courses. Instructions to make this easy lemon garlic asparagus in the Instant Pot are also included. 

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Asparagus

• Asparagus
• Lemon Juice
• Garlic
• Water
• Seasonings: dried basil, salt, red pepper flakes

How To Make Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Asparagus 

Slow Cooker

1. In a small bowl, mix together sauce ingredients.
2. Add asparagus to the bottom of the slow cooker.   Pour sauce on top.
3. Cook HIGH 1-2 hours, LOW 2-4. Garnish with lemon prior to serving.

Instant Pot

1. Add 1 cup of water to the base of the Instant Pot. Add the trivet or steamer basket inside.
2. Arrange asparagus onto the steamer basket.
3. Cook on steam for 1 minute OR high pressure 0 minutes. When done, quick release the pressure.
4. Using tongs, remove the asparagus from the Instant Pot.
5. In a small bowl, bowl, mix together sauce ingredients. Pour sauce on asparagus and toss to coat evenly. Garnish with lemon prior to serving.

What is asparagus?

Asparagus is a green vegetable with long spears. It’s packed with nutrients and is high in antioxidants, fiber, & vitamins A, C, E. Asparagus is grown and eaten around the world; it can be sauteed, steamed, grilled, and of course even slow cooked. Asparagus spears come in different sizes with some being thicker or thinner than others, shorter or longer.

Can you make this in the Instant Pot? 

While this recipe was originally written as a slow cooker recipe, you can also make it in the Instant Pot but it’s made differently. The asparagus is quickly steamed and then topped sauce after cooking.

Can you use frozen asparagus?

I do not recommend using frozen asparagus in the slow cooker; it will turn to mush very quickly during cooking. Yes, you can use frozen asparagus in the Instant Pot. With raw frozen asparagus, add an additional 1 minute on to the cooking time.  If you’re using frozen asparagus that has been blanched or already cooked, no need to change anything. 

What happened to the color on the asparagus?

If you find that your cooked asparagus has lost its bright green color, it’s okay & totally normal. It is more likely to happen if you cook the asparagus in the slow cooker versus the Instant Pot. Asparagus contain chlorophyll.  When cooked for long periods of time, chlorophyll turns a drab, grayish color. The taste however remains the same.

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover slow cooker lemon garlic asparagus in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker should you use?

I used a small 3.5-quart slow cooker but you can double this recipe and use a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot to feed a larger crowd.

Side Dishes

• Summer Vegetables

• Fiesta Kale Salad

• Red Skin Potato Salad

• Avocado Slaw 

• Crab Salad

Slow Cooker Asparagus

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Free up your kitchen with this slow cooker lemon garlic asparagus recipe.  Asparagus slow cooks to perfection in a homemade sauce that is low-carb, paleo, vegan, and Whole30 compatible. The result is a flavorful side dish that pairs beautifully with a large variety of main courses. Instructions to make this easy lemon garlic asparagus in the Instant Pot are also included.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 mins
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 bunch of asparagus, rinsed & trimmed
• 1 cup water (for Instant Pot only)
• 1 lemon (optional for garnish)

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more)
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. In a small bowl, mix together sauce ingredients.
2. Add asparagus to the bottom of the slow cooker.   Pour sauce on top.
3. Cook HIGH 1-2 hours, LOW 2-4. Garnish with lemon prior to serving.

Instant Pot

1. Add 1 cup of water to the base of the Instant Pot. Add the trivet or steamer basket inside.
2. Arrange asparagus onto the steamer basket.
3. Cook on steam for 1 minute OR high pressure 0 minutes. When done, quick release the pressure.
4. Using tongs, remove the asparagus from the Instant Pot.
5. In a small bowl, bowl, mix together sauce ingredients. Pour sauce on asparagus and toss to coat evenly. Garnish with lemon prior to serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size:
• Calories: 75
• Sugar: 3.9 g
• Sodium: 748.4 mg
• Fat: 2.3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0.8 g
• Protein: 1.7 g
• Cholesterol: 2.3 mg

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