Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Lemon Garlic Asparagus (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)

This lemon garlic asparagus can be made over time in the slow cooker or quickly in the Instant Pot. Using a homemade lemon garlic sauce, this side dish is perfect for weeknight family dinner or your next holiday gathering.

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Updated 2020 with Instant Pot instructions

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. Or pressure cooked depending on which method you use here. Asparagus spears come in different sizes with some being thicker or thinner than others, shorter or longer. Traditionally I would tell you to try to find short, thick asparagus spears for this recipe. But I’m updated this in the time of Covid-19 where people are facing food shortages so I’ll just say use whatever asparagus you can find.

before (slow cooker)

Cooking In The Electric Pressure Cooker

This recipe was originally written as a slow cooker recipe. If you’re making this in the slow cooker it’s very straight forward: add the asparagus, pour the sauce on top, let it cook. If you’re making this in the Instant Pot, it’s made differently. The asparagus is quickly steamed and then topped sauce after cooking.

after (slow cooker)

Using Frozen Asparagus In The Pressure Cooker

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

Other side dishes you might enjoy:

Avocado Slaw (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)

Slow Cooker Summer Vegetables

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole with Cauliflower Sauce

Slow Cooker Harvest Vegetables

What Happened To The Color?

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

not bright green

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.

PIN FOR LATER

Slow Cooker/Instant Pot Lemon-Garlic Asparagus (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)

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• Author: Fit SlowCooker Queen
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 mins
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Ingredients

• 1 bunch of asparagus, rinsed & trimmed
• 2–4  lemon slices
• 1 cup water (for pressure cooker)

Sauce:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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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. Top with lemon slices prior to serving.

Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)

1. Add 1 cup of water to the base of the pressure cooker. 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.

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