Yes, you can use your sous vide machine for vegetables. It isn’t the answer for all vegetables though, you do need to be selective. So far I have cooked carrots and asparagus with wonderful success. We usually grill or roast asparagus, and it is delicious that way. Asparagus cooked by sous vide is similar to steamed but with a wonderful crunch and intense asparagus flavor. All the vitamins are intact and that green grassy taste jumps into your mouth with every bite. And sous vide timing is very forgiving, you don’t have to worry if you are distracted for a few minutes. Roasted or steamed asparagus will overcook in 30 seconds; turning drab, mushy and unappealing. Limp asparagus is not attractive. Sous vide asparagus stays bright green and crisp, the stem just as tender at the tips.
Sous Vide Asparagus
Method:
- Preheat the water with your sous vide machine to 185 degrees F (85 degrees C)
- Encase the asparagus in a vacuum bag or large zip lock bag (you may want to put a teaspoon in the bottom of the bag first). Try to get the asparagus in one layer. If you need to use two bags, separate the asparagus by size.
- Season as desired. For example lemon salt, butter, coconut oil, mint, slices of lemon, etc.
Cyprus Citron Lemon Flake Sea Salt
- If using vacuum, seal on the moist setting.
Asparagus in Vacuum Bag
- Once your water bath has heated to the appropriate temperature, add the asparagus to the hot water and set your timer for 10 minutes. Thicker spears may need to cook for longer, maybe 12 minutes. That is the reason for two bags if the spears in your bunch are different sizes. Squeeze the bottom of a spear to see if they are done to your liking.
- Cut open the bag and slide the asparagus onto a plate. Or, cool in an ice bag for using cold or reheating later.
You may note that this bag does not have a teaspoon, big error. As the contents of the bag heat, the air expands, causing it to float. I had to put a weight on top to keep the asparagus under water. Next time I will add that teaspoon. Don’t make my mistake.
Sous Vide Asparagus
The photo is fuzzy because of the steam rising. We couldn’t wait for it to cool before eating. Yum!