Asparagus is a healthy and delicious vegetable that is a staple in many spring and summer dishes. When cooking with asparagus, recipes will often call for a specific volume, like 2 cups, rather than a number of spears. This can make it tricky to know exactly how much asparagus to purchase and prepare. So how many asparagus spears are in 2 cups? Let’s take a closer look.
What Factors Determine How Many Spears are in 2 Cups?
There are a few key factors that determine how many asparagus spears fit into a 2 cup volume:
Spear Thickness
Asparagus spears come in different thicknesses, from pencil-thin to jumbo. Thinner spears will fit more into a 2 cup volume than thicker, more robust spears. Pencil-thin asparagus can pack over 50 spears into 2 cups, while very thick jumbo spears may have as few as 8-12 spears per 2 cups. Most standard, medium spears are between 1/4 – 1/2 inch in diameter.
Spear Length
Spear length also impacts how many fit into 2 cups. Shorter cut spears, around 4-6 inches long, will fill a 2 cup volume more densely than very long, 8-10 inch spears. So for the same thickness spears, you can fit more of the trimmed short spears in 2 cups compared to uncut, long spears.
How Tightly Packed
The tighter and more compact the asparagus is packed into the measuring cup, the more spears will fit into the 2 cup volume. If loosely packed, there is more air space and spears are less densely packed, reducing how many fit into the cup. So 2 cups of very tightly packed asparagus can potentially contain more spears than loosely packed.
Asparagus Spear Sizes
When estimating how many spears are in 2 cups, it’s helpful to know the various sizes and thicknesses that asparagus spears are classified by:
Pencil Spears
Pencil asparagus spears are the thinnest, often around 1/8 inch diameter or less. They live up to their name and are about the thickness of a pencil. The slender spears cook quickly.
Standard Spears
The most common size seen in grocery stores, standard spears are between 1/4 – 1/2 inch in diameter. They offer a good balance of thickness and tenderness. This medium spear size works well for most recipes.
Large/Jumbo Spears
Jumbo or large spears are the thickest, usually over 1/2 inch in diameter. The thicker spears hold up well to grilling or roasting. Large spears are snappy and full of flavor.
How Length Impacts Volume
Along with thickness, the length of the asparagus spear affects how many fit into a 2 cup volume. Here’s a guide to common asparagus lengths:
4-6 inches
Shorter trimmed spears in the 4-6 inch range are common for fresh-cut asparagus sold in bundles. The shorter length helps the spears fit more densely in a 2 cup volume.
8-10 inches
A medium spear length of 8-10 inches is also popular. Spears are trimmed but still maintain a good proportion of the edible stalk. Longer spears may be loose and not packed as tightly into 2 cups.
10 inches and up
Uncut, extra long spears over 10 inches show off the maximum length of the asparagus stalk. These lengthy spears will pack the least densely in a 2 cup measure.
General Asparagus Spear Guidelines for 2 Cups
Taking spear thickness and length into account, here are some general guidelines for how many asparagus spears fit in 2 cups:
Pencil Spears
– Tightly packed: 55-65 spears
– Loosely packed: 45-55 spears
Standard Spears
– 4-6 inch length: 16-20 spears
– 8-10 inch length: 10-14 spears
Jumbo Spears
– 4-6 inch length: 10-14 spears
– 8-10 inch length: 8-12 spears
So thinner pencil spears will pack in the most, around 55-65 in 2 tightly packed cups. On the other end, thick jumbo spears loosely packed have the fewest at 8-12 spears in 2 cups. Standard 1/4-1/2 inch spears are in the middle with 16-20 spears per 2 cups.
Visualizing Asparagus Cup Volumes
To get a better visual for how spear thickness, length, and packing impacts the number of spears in 2 cups, here is a helpful comparison:
| Asparagus Type | Number of Spears | Appearance in 2 Cups |
|---|---|---|
| Pencil spears | 60 spears | Thinly packed spears reach the brim of the 2 cup volume. |
| Standard spears | 18 spears | Moderately packed spears come 3/4 up the 2 cup volume. |
| Jumbo spears | 10 spears | The thick spears only fill 1/2 to 2/3 of the 2 cup volume. |
You can see the difference the spear thickness makes in how compactly they fit in the measuring cup. Thinner spears fit more densely packed than thicker spears in the same 2 cup volume.
How to Get an Exact Spear Count
While these spear estimates for 2 cups are helpful guidelines, the best way to get an exact count is to:
1. Select your asparagus spears, taking note of thickness and length. Identify if they are pencil-thin, standard, or jumbo.
2. Trim the spears to your desired length. Many recipes call for 4-6 inch trimmed spears.
3. Take a 2 cup volume measuring cup.
4. Pack the asparagus tips facing up into the cup. Pack tightly and compactly for a dense spear count.
5. Once the cup is full to the 2 cup line, count the exact number of spears contained.
This will give you the precise spear quantity for the specific bunch of asparagus you are working with. Repeat this process each time you cook with new asparagus to get an accurate spear count.
How Much Asparagus to Purchase
Knowing approximately how many spears are in 2 cups makes determining how much asparagus to buy simpler. Here are some tips when shopping for asparagus for your recipe:
– For 4 servings, plan for about 2-3 bundles of asparagus or 1 pound. Each serving is approx 1/2 cup volume.
– Look for asparagus with firm, straight stalks and tightly closed tips. Avoid spears that look dried out or are bending.
– Select spears around 1/4-1/2 inch thick for best results with most recipes. Size the spears to the preparation method.
– For roasting or grilling, choose thicker spears over pencil-thin. Go for standard or jumbo thickness.
– For sauteeing, steaming, or stir-frying, thinner pencil spears will cook quickly and evenly.
– Purchase extra – asparagus cooks down in size so you’ll lose about half the raw volume once cooked and prepped.
Following these guidelines will help you pick the right amount of fresh asparagus for your planned 2 cup recipe.
Cooking Methods for Uniformly Sized Spears
Trimming asparagus spears to a uniform length before cooking results in evenly cooked spears. Here are some top cooking methods:
Roasting
Arrange trimmed spears on a sheet pan and roast at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, until tender. Coat spears in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic.
Grilling
Quickly grill trimmed spears over direct med-high heat, 2-3 minutes per side. Rotate spears for char marks. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Steaming
Stand trimmed spears upright in a steam basket. Steam over boiling water 4-5 minutes until bright green and fork tender. Shock in an ice bath to stop cooking.
Sauteeing
Heat oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Add trimmed spears and sautee for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly browned. Season with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan.
Stir-Frying
Heat oil in wok or skillet over high heat. Add trimmed spears and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir fry 1 minute more.
Portioning Cooked Asparagus into 2 Cups
When your roasted, grilled, or steamed asparagus is ready, you can easily portion it into 2 cup servings:
– Weigh out 12 oz of cooked asparagus (approx 2 cups or 4 servings).
– Spread spears evenly into a 2 cup microwavable dish. Or portion into individual ramekins.
– Cover and refrigerate extra portions for quick reheating later in the week.
– Reheat 1 ramekin in the microwave for 2-3 minutes before serving.
With trimmed, evenly sized spears you’ll get consistent portions in each 2 cup batch of asparagus.
Typical Asparagus Recipes Calling for 2 Cups
Here are some classic recipes that use 2 cups of asparagus. Knowing how many spears this equals helps ensure you prep the right quantity:
Asparagus Frittata
Whisk 8 eggs with cheese, milk, and herbs. Saute 1 lb trimmed asparagus cut into 2″ pieces. Combine asparagus and egg mixture in a skillet and cook over med-low heat until set.
Asparagus Quiche
Line a pie crust with 2 cups chopped asparagus pieces. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour filling over asparagus and bake at 375°F until set.
Asparagus Risotto
Saute chopped shallots in butter and oil. Add arborio rice and cook, stirring often. Add chopped asparagus and broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently, until creamy. Top with Parmesan.
Asparagus Pasta
Blanch 2 cups cut asparagus pieces for 2-3 minutes until bright green. Toss with hot pasta, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan.
Asparagus Soup
Saute chopped leeks and onions. Add 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth. Simmer 15 minutes. Blend in 2 cups chopped asparagus until smooth. Garnish bowls with creme fraiche.
Freezing Extra Asparagus in 2 Cup Portions
Have extra asparagus? Freezing is a great way to save it for later use. Here’s how:
1. Blanch trimmed asparagus spears 1-2 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Shock in ice bath.
2. Pat dry and tightly pack spears into 2 cup volume freezer containers or bags.
3. Remove air and seal. Freeze up to 10 months.
4. Thaw before using in recipes like quiches, frittatas, pasta, soups, and risottos.
Freezing in pre-portioned 2 cup amounts makes it easy to pull out just what you need for future recipes. The blanching process preserves the texture and flavor.
Pickling Asparagus in 2 Cup Jars
In addition to freezing, pickling trimmed asparagus spears is another preservation method. Follow this easy recipe:
Pickled Asparagus
Ingredients:
– 2 lbs trimmed asparagus spears
– 2 cups white vinegar
– 1 cup water
– 1 tbsp salt
– 1 tsp sugar
Instructions:
1. Sterilize two 1-cup jars.
2. Tightly pack spears into jars vertically.
3. Bring vinegar, water, salt, and sugar to a boil.
4. Pour hot brine over spears to cover.
5. Seal jars and refrigerate for 3-4 weeks before eating.
Enjoy these tangy, pickled asparagus spears as a snack or unique addition to sandwiches and charcuterie boards. The 1-cup jars conveniently hold a 2-cup portion.
Conclusion
When a recipe calls for 2 cups of asparagus, how many spears that equals largely depends on the thickness and length of the spears, as well as how compactly they are packed into the measuring cup. On average, 2 cups contains 10-20 standard sized spears – but pencil-thin spears can pack in over 50 per cup. Trimming spears to a uniform length results in even cooking. Buy extra when shopping since asparagus cooks down significantly in size. 2 cups of asparagus is perfect for adding to frittatas, pasta, risottos, and soups or pickling and freezing for later enjoyment. So the next time a recipe calls for 2 cups of asparagus, you can have confidence knowing approximately how many spears that entails.
