Everyone who has started on with a healthy lifestyle would know how changing the diet can change the entire experience. For this reason, people have started eating clean, and asparagus is an important part of this clean diet. On the other hand, if you want asparagus to cook something and have run out of it, we are sharing the asparagus substitutes for you!
Asparagus Substitutes
Asparagus is a well-known green vegetable that is famous for slender spears. It is usually added to salads, frittatas, and spring dishes. It’s safe to say that asparagus has a rich nutrient count and can be easily found in grocery stores. Generally, people steam the asparagus, and it goes perfectly as sides for the meal. In addition, it can be consumed with fish and lean meat after sauteing.
Asparagus actually has a strong and distinct flavor with a mildly bitter undertone. As for fresh asparagus, the taste will be milder. Some people also suggest that asparagus tastes similar to peas and broccoli. That being said, if you aren’t a fan of asparagus or have run out of it, you can check out the substitutes that we have mentioned below!
1) Broccoli
Broccoli can easily replace asparagus because of the similar flavor and taste profile. In addition, both asparagus and broccoli have a similar cooking method. That’s to say because users can steam and saute the broccoli. As for the nutrition count, broccoli offers vitamin K, vitamin C, iron, fiber, and potassium. It can be steamed for around ten minutes along with other veggies.
However, cooking time usually depends on the texture that you want to achieve. Also, it goes perfectly as a side dish with fish or meat (yes, just like asparagus). On the top, you can sprinkle the seasonings and olive oil.
2) Celery
In case you don’t even like broccoli, you can opt for celery because it’s a pretty decent substitute for asparagus. The celery has the ever-famous green sticks that deliver the perfect flavor and taste. The taste profile is identical to asparagus. Celery has a suitable nutrition count, such as fiber, folate, vitamin A, potassium, and vitamin K.
The best thing about celery is that it has a delicious flavor even when you eat it raw. That being said, you can add celery in the raw form (no need for cooking). However, if you want to cook celery, it can be sauteed or steamed. All in all, celery has a short cooking time which means you don’t need to cook it for too long (one to three minutes are fine!).
3) Leek
When it comes down to leek, it has a different flavor and texture when compared to asparagus, but it will still do fine as sides. This vegetable is loaded with magnesium, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin C, and iron. The best thing about leek is that it’s extremely versatile, so it can be prepared as you like. Leek can be added to soups and stews for seamless cooking.
Even more, the leek can be sauteed to be eaten as a side dish. However, it will taste equally delicious if eaten raw. As far as steaming is concerned, it can lose shape upon steaming. However, it won’t impact the flavor.
4) Green Beans
If you choose the correct preparation and cooking method, you will be able to substitute them for asparagus. The green beans are extremely nutritional and suit the needs of vegans and vegetarians. Green beans are loaded with fiber, vitamin A, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin K. As for preparation, green beans can be baked, steamed, fried, and sauteed.
On the contrary, if you want to retain the nutrients, the best option is steaming them. As far as sauteing is concerned, it can be sauteed with garlic, seasonings, and olive oil.
5) Lettuce
If you don’t want to involve in complicated cooking methods, you can opt for lettuce for replacing asparagus. This is mainly because the lettuce doesn’t need cooking and goes fine as sides for the majority of meaty recipes. The best thing about lettuce is that it can improve digestion since it has higher potassium, magnesium, and calcium content.
We have already mentioned that lettuce cannot be cooked, so you shouldn’t steam or sauté them either. All in all, it can be mixed up with other veggies for making salads!