Thick, meaty asparagus is a spring treasure, but to make the most of its short season, you need to put those grassy-flavored spears in heavy rotation. To avoid an asparagus rut, vary your cooking methods. These sweet spears become crisp-tender in no time, so you can pull together an appetizer, side, or main dish with fresh appeal in a matter of minutes.

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Grilled Asparagus with Parsley-Tarragon Chimichurri

Chimichurri—a garlicky Argentinian herb sauce—is traditionally made with parsley as the primary herb. Here, the addition of fresh tarragon makes it an ideal partner for meaty grilled asparagus. Throw some steaks on the grill while you make the sauce, and dinner is done.

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Asparagus & Fried Eggs on Garlic Toast

The softly cooked egg yolks in this dish, which works well for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner, become a delicious sauce for the toast and asparagus.

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Garlicky Shrimp with Asparagus & Lemon

Plump shrimp and sweet asparagus get a flavor kick from ample garlic and crushed red pepper flakes in this easy saucy sauté.

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Shaved Asparagus Salad with Aged Gouda and Hazelnuts

Raw strips of asparagus are crisp, juicy, and great in salads. Allow the asparagus to marinate for no more than 15 minutes; any longer and it will begin to lose its crunchy texture.

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Asparagus & Mascarpone Gratin with Parmesan Breadcrumbs

This simple yet decadent dish is easy enough to make on a weeknight but special enough (and easily doubled) for a weekend dinner party.

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Stir-Fried Asparagus and Shiitake with Ginger and Sesame

Need dinner in a hurry? Here, the asparagus cooks in minutes and pre-sliced shiitake from the produce section of the supermarket will save you time when prepping the ingredients for this savory stir-fry.

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Linguine with Roasted Asparagus and Almond Pesto

Swap almonds for the usual pine nuts in this twist on classic pesto, and turn it into a one-dish meal with a few fat grape tomatoes and sweet asparagus.

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Roasted Salmon & Asparagus with Lemon Oil

Just five ingredients make up this simple meal that celebrates spring. The salmon and asparagus roast side-by-side on one baking sheet to minimize cleanup.

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Asparagus Salad with Orange, Prosciutto & Pistachios

This makes a pretty first course. Microwaving the asparagus is fast and produces plump, moist results. Be sure to use a loaf pan so the spears stay submerged in water as they cook.

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Broiled Asparagus & Artichokes with Vermouth Brown Butter

Frozen artichoke hearts are a rushed cook’s secret weapon. Here, they’re broiled with asparagus for deep flavor in minutes. If you don’t have any vermouth on hand for the sauce, you can use dry white wine instead.

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Fresh Tortellini with Asparagus, Peas & Mint

This easy weeknight recipe is a complete one-dish meal. Cooking the pasta, peas, and asparagus together is efficient, and adding goat cheese at the end creates a creamy sauce.

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Pan-Steamed Asparagus with Lemon-Caper Mayonnaise

Stirring a few brightly flavored ingredients into store-bought mayonnaise gives you a tangy sauce for simple steamed asparagus. The sauce is also delicious with fish, especially salmon.

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Raw Asparagus Pesto

This bright-green, fresh-tasting pesto is perfect for spreading on sandwiches, tossing with hot pasta, or slathering on crostini.

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Wilted Arugula Salad with Asparagus, Bacon & Almonds

You won’t believe how incredible this simple combination of crunchy almonds, crisp bacon, and tender asparagus and arugula is. It’s a game changer. The arugula will wilt as it sits, though, so serve it right away.

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Broiled Asparagus & Orange Slices with Olive Oil & Shallots

Only a handful of ingredients are needed for this quick, bright side, and despite being incredibly simple, it’s gorgeous on a platter, making it a company-worthy side.

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