Instant Pot Horseradish Dill Asparagus: A Zesty Spring Side Dish

Spring has sprung, and with it comes a bounty of fresh, vibrant produce! Asparagus, with its tender stalks and delicate flavor, is a quintessential spring vegetable. While there are countless ways to prepare asparagus, the Instant Pot offers a quick, easy, and surprisingly delicious method for achieving perfectly cooked spears every time. This recipe for Instant Pot Horseradish Dill Asparagus elevates the humble asparagus with a zesty kick of horseradish and the fresh, herbaceous notes of dill, creating a side dish that’s both flavorful and sophisticated.

## Why Use the Instant Pot for Asparagus?

You might be wondering why you’d bother using an Instant Pot for asparagus when you could easily roast, grill, or steam it. Here’s why the Instant Pot is a game-changer:

* **Speed:** The Instant Pot cooks asparagus in mere minutes, making it a perfect weeknight side dish.
* **Consistency:** The Instant Pot delivers consistent results, ensuring your asparagus is cooked to your desired level of tenderness every time. No more overcooked, mushy asparagus!
* **Flavor Infusion:** The Instant Pot allows the horseradish and dill to infuse the asparagus with their flavors more effectively than other cooking methods.
* **Minimal Effort:** Simply toss the ingredients into the Instant Pot, set the timer, and walk away. No babysitting required!

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start, gather these ingredients:

* **1 pound asparagus, trimmed:** Choose asparagus spears that are firm and bright green. Thicker spears will require slightly longer cooking times.
* **1 tablespoon olive oil:** Adds richness and helps the seasonings adhere to the asparagus.
* **1 tablespoon prepared horseradish:** Use prepared horseradish, not horseradish sauce. The amount can be adjusted to your preference – start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.
* **1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped:** Fresh dill is essential for the best flavor. If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use dried dill, but use only 1 teaspoon.
* **1/2 teaspoon salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
* **1/4 teaspoon black pepper:** Adds a touch of spice.
* **1/4 cup water:** This is necessary for creating steam inside the Instant Pot.
* **Optional: Lemon wedges for serving:** A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the flavors and adds a touch of acidity.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your Instant Pot Horseradish Dill Asparagus:

**Step 1: Prepare the Asparagus**

* Wash the asparagus thoroughly under cold running water.
* Trim the tough ends of the asparagus. You can either snap them off where they naturally break or cut them off with a knife. About 1-2 inches from the bottom is usually sufficient.

**Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Instant Pot**

* Pour the water into the Instant Pot.
* Place a steamer basket or trivet inside the Instant Pot. This will prevent the asparagus from sitting directly in the water and becoming soggy. If you don’t have a steamer basket or trivet, you can create a makeshift one by crumpling aluminum foil into a ball and placing it in the bottom of the pot.
* Arrange the trimmed asparagus spears in the steamer basket or on the trivet.
* In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, horseradish, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
* Pour the horseradish dill mixture over the asparagus, ensuring that the spears are evenly coated.

**Step 3: Pressure Cook the Asparagus**

* Close the Instant Pot lid and seal it securely. Make sure the pressure release valve is set to the ‘Sealing’ position.
* Press the ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ button on the Instant Pot. Set the cooking time to **0 minutes** for thin asparagus spears or **1 minute** for thicker spears. This might seem counterintuitive, but trust the process!

**Step 4: Quick Release the Pressure**

* Once the cooking time is complete, immediately perform a ‘Quick Release’ by carefully moving the pressure release valve to the ‘Venting’ position. Be careful of the hot steam that will be released.
* Once all the pressure has been released, carefully open the Instant Pot lid.

**Step 5: Serve and Enjoy**

* Carefully remove the asparagus from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a serving dish.
* Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus, if desired.
* Serve immediately and enjoy!

## Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Asparagus

* **Don’t overcook the asparagus:** Overcooked asparagus will be mushy and unappetizing. The short cooking time in the Instant Pot ensures that the asparagus remains tender-crisp.
* **Adjust cooking time for asparagus thickness:** Thicker asparagus spears will require a slightly longer cooking time (1 minute instead of 0 minutes). Thinner spears may only need 0 minutes.
* **Use fresh dill:** Fresh dill provides the best flavor. If you must use dried dill, use only 1 teaspoon.
* **Taste and adjust seasonings:** After cooking, taste the asparagus and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or horseradish to your liking.
* **Don’t skip the steamer basket or trivet:** This prevents the asparagus from sitting directly in the water and becoming soggy.

## Variations and Additions

* **Add garlic:** Mince a clove of garlic and add it to the horseradish dill mixture for extra flavor.
* **Add red pepper flakes:** For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the horseradish dill mixture.
* **Add Parmesan cheese:** Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the asparagus after cooking for a cheesy twist.
* **Substitute other herbs:** If you don’t have dill, you can use other fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or tarragon.
* **Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze:** A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness and acidity.
* **Lemon zest:** Adding lemon zest to the mix will enhance the citrusy flavor profile.

## Serving Suggestions

Instant Pot Horseradish Dill Asparagus is a versatile side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Here are some serving suggestions:

* **Grilled or roasted chicken:** The zesty flavor of the asparagus complements the savory flavor of grilled or roasted chicken.
* **Salmon or other fish:** The asparagus is a delicious accompaniment to salmon, tuna, or other types of fish.
* **Steak:** The asparagus provides a fresh and flavorful counterpoint to the richness of steak.
* **Pasta dishes:** Serve the asparagus alongside pasta dishes with creamy sauces or pesto.
* **Eggs:** This asparagus is a great side for brunch with eggs benedict or a simple omelet.
* **As part of a spring vegetable platter:** Include the asparagus in a spring vegetable platter with other seasonal vegetables like radishes, peas, and carrots.

## Storage Instructions

* **Refrigerate:** Leftover Instant Pot Horseradish Dill Asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the asparagus in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook it.
* **Freezing:** Freezing cooked asparagus is not recommended as it can become mushy and lose its flavor and texture.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Per serving, based on 4 servings)

* Calories: 60
* Fat: 4g
* Saturated Fat: 0.5g
* Cholesterol: 0mg
* Sodium: 250mg
* Carbohydrates: 4g
* Fiber: 2g
* Sugar: 2g
* Protein: 2g

(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)

## Recipe Card

**Instant Pot Horseradish Dill Asparagus**

A quick, easy, and flavorful side dish featuring asparagus cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot with a zesty horseradish dill sauce.

**Prep Time:** 5 minutes
**Cook Time:** 1 minute
**Release Time:** 2 minutes
**Total Time:** 8 minutes
**Servings:** 4

**Ingredients:**

* 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
* 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 cup water
* Lemon wedges for serving (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Wash and trim the asparagus.
2. Pour water into the Instant Pot and insert a steamer basket or trivet.
3. Arrange the asparagus in the basket or on the trivet.
4. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, horseradish, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. Pour the mixture over the asparagus.
6. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the pressure release valve to ‘Sealing’.
7. Press ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ and set the time to 0 minutes for thin spears or 1 minute for thick spears.
8. Perform a quick release immediately after cooking.
9. Carefully remove the asparagus and transfer to a serving dish.
10. Squeeze lemon juice over the asparagus, if desired.
11. Serve immediately.

**Notes:**

* Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of the asparagus spears.
* Use fresh dill for the best flavor.
* Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

## Conclusion

This Instant Pot Horseradish Dill Asparagus recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights or any time you want a quick, easy, and flavorful side dish. The Instant Pot ensures perfectly cooked asparagus every time, and the horseradish dill sauce adds a zesty kick that will tantalize your taste buds. So, grab a pound of fresh asparagus and give this recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed! It’s a healthy, delicious, and impressive side that’s perfect for spring and beyond. Enjoy!