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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Side Dish Recipes

    Quick Sesame Marinated Asparagus

    By: Amy Katz · Published: Mar 29, 2018 · Last modified: Apr 29, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan
    Plate of Quick Marinated Asparagus with text overlay.

    Cold Marinated Asparagus in a sesame vinaigrette is fresh and flavorful and takes less than 30 minutes to make with a only a handful of ingredients. The Asian-inspired marinade complements the asparagus without overpowering it.

    Platter of sesame seed topped marinated asparagus and serving utensils on a floral napkin.

    I've been making Marinated Asparagus for years, and this recipe is still one of my favorite ways to eat this seasonal vegetable. I love the combination of rice wine vinegar and toasted sesame oil.

    As when making Asian-style Air Fryer Green Beans or Silken Tofu Salad, a little sesame oil goes a long way. Only a quarter teaspoon is needed for the entire bunch of asparagus.

    And although you only need 15 minutes to marinate the asparagus, you can also make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until you're ready to eat.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Amy's tip
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing
    • FAQ
    • More asparagus recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • It's light yet flavorful and only requires 4 ingredients .
    • You can make it in under half an hour.
    • It's easy to make and goes well with a variety of dishes.

    Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients needed to make this recipe.

    For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Instructions

    Collage of 3 images showing how to make marinated asparagus.
    1. Blanch the asparagus spears in a pot of boiling water.
    2. As soon as they turn bright green, quickly remove them from the water and submerge them in a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process. Once the cooked asparagus is completely cool, remove the spears from the ice water and carefully pat them dry with kitchen towels.
    3. Toss with rice wine vinegar and sesame oil and let marinate for 15 minutes. Top with toasted sesame seeds and serve.

    Amy's tip

    There's nothing worse than soggy, overcooked asparagus. Be sure to keep your eye on the pot when blanching it and remove them when they are crisp-tender. And have your bowl of ice water ready.

    Serving suggestions

    Close up of plate of sesame marinated asparagus.

    While this quick sesame marinated asparagus goes well with a variety of foods, I particularly enjoy it with other Asian-inspired dishes like the following:

    • Air Fried Tofu with Lemon Sauce
    • Chickpea Stir Fry (Oil-Free)
    • Baked Teriyaki Tofu (Gluten-Free & Oil-Free)
    • Crispy Air Fryer Tofu with Sticky Orange Sauce

    Storing

    Leftover cold asparagus can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. However, it's best served the day it was prepared because it may become soggy.

    FAQ

    Bunch of asparagus in a Pyrex cup with water covered with a plastic bag.
    Should asparagus be refrigerated?

    Always store asparagus in the refrigerator. To keep it fresh longer, keep the rubber bands on and slice off the very bottom of the stalks. Place them in a glass of water like you would flowers. A Pyrex measuring cup works well. Then put a plastic bag over the top of the spears and refrigerate for up to a week until ready to use.

    What part of asparagus do you not eat?

    The entire asparagus is edible, but you will probably want to remove the tough woody stems. Hold each spear and gently bend it. It will naturally break at the start of the woody stem which you can then discard.

    Can you buy sesame seeds already toasted?

    Yes, you can buy sesame seeds already toasted in the spice aisle of the supermarket. Or you can toast raw sesame seeds yourself by heating them in a dry skillet for about 3 minutes over medium heat until golden brown. This will bring out their nutty flavor. Keep an eye on them and toss the pan frequently since they can burn easily.

    More asparagus recipes

    • Asparagus Avocado Salad
    • Lemon Asparagus Orzo One-Pot Meal
    • Lemony Creamy Vegan Pasta with Asparagus
    • 23 Best Vegan Asparagus Recipes

    And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.

    If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★

    📋 Recipe

    Marinated Asparagus on a platter topped with sesame seeds.

    Quick Sesame Marinated Asparagus

    Cold Marinated Asparagus in a sesame vinaigrette is fresh and flavorful and takes less than 30 minutes to make with a only a handful of ingredients. The Asian-inspired dressing complements the asparagus without overpowering it.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate Email recipe + ingredient list
    Special diet: gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegan
    Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: Asian, Fusion
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Marinating Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 29kcal
    Author: Amy Katz

    Ingredients

    • 1 bunch fresh asparagus, (1 to 1.25 pounds)
    • 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, (see notes)
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    Instructions

    • Wash the asparagus and discard the tough woody ends of the stalks. You can do this by bending each one until the woody end breaks off.
    • In a large pan, add about an inch of water and bring to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook it just a few minutes until tender and bright green. Be careful not to overcook it.
    • Transfer the blanched apsaragus to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Remove once it's completely cool and pat dry.
    • Arrange the asparagus on a serving dish. Toss with the rice vinegar and sesame oil. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
    • Top with sesame seeds before serving.

    Notes

    Toasted sesame seeds: If using raw sesame seeds instead of toasted, you can toast them yourself by heating them in a dry skillet for about 3 minutes over medium heat until golden brown. This will bring out their nutty flavor. Keep an eye on them and toss the pan frequently since they can burn easily.
    Storing: Leftover asparagus can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. However, it's best served the day it was prepared because it may become soggy.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 29kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 230mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 851IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

    Want to learn the 5 Secrets to Cooking the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Way? Join the the FREE 5-day mini course and get the secrets delivered to your inbox.

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    About Amy

    Amy Katz is a vegan recipe developer, photographer, and Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach. She loves sharing delicious plant-based Mediterranean diet recipes that home cooks of all levels can enjoy. Her easy vegan recipes have been featured on NBC News, Parade, VegNews, BuzzFeed, MSN, Greatist, PureWow, Brides, LIVEKINDLY, Insider, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. She lives in Orange County, California with the love of her life, Brad, and their adorable black cat, Ozzy.

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    Hi, I'm Amy! As a Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach, my passion is creating vegan Mediterranean diet recipes to inspire everyone to choose plant-based meals more often. At Veggies Save The Day you'll find simple delicious recipes that are easy to make any night of the week.

    More about me →

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    Amy holding an avocado like a heart

    Hi, I'm Amy! As a Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach, my passion is creating vegan Mediterranean diet recipes to inspire everyone to choose plant-based meals more often. At Veggies Save The Day you'll find simple delicious recipes that are easy to make any night of the week.

    More about me →

    Summer Favorites

    • Quick Italian White Bean Salad
    • Mediterranean Tomato and Zucchini Saute
    • Cauliflower Curry Vegan Grill Recipe
    • 5 Ingredient Vegan Lentil Salad

    Most Popular

    • Mediterranean Yellow Rice
    • 15 Minute Tomato Paste Pasta Sauce
    • Vegan Lemon Artichoke Pasta
    • Sauteed Green Beans with Mushrooms

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