Perfectly Steamed Asparagus

It’s a simple recipe that highlights the unique flavor and texture of the spears. Your only concern as a cook? Avoid overcooking them! Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables. I love its unique, delicate flavor. In fact, I like it so much that I sometimes eat it as a snack - simply sprinkled with salt or dipped in melted butter. I make the occasional grilled or roasted asparagus. But my favorite way to eat this wonderful vegetable is the simplest. I’m a big fan of steaming it.

Ingredients

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty side dish. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need: Fresh asparagus: I like to use medium-thickness spears when making this recipe. I find that the very thick ones are not as tasty, and the very thin ones are somehow less satisfying. Melted butter: You can also drizzle the asparagus with olive oil. Lemon juice: For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Seasonings: Kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Instructions

Steaming asparagus is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

Expert tip

If the asparagus is ready before you are ready to serve it (perhaps the main dish is still cooking), you should still remove it to a serving plate. Cover it with foil to keep it warm. It’s better to serve it crisp at room temperature than to overcook it in an attempt to keep it warm.

Frequently asked questions

Variations

The best way to vary this recipe is to change the dressing you add to the cooked asparagus. You could use olive oil, for example, instead of butter. And white wine vinegar can replace the lemon juice. You can also add various seasonings, including onion powder, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Another tasty option is to sprinkle the finished dish with some dry-grated parmesan cheese.

Serving suggestions

Anything goes with this side dish. It’s truly versatile. But I usually try to serve it with a main dish that I can make on the stovetop, so that I don’t have to use both the oven and the stove. So I often serve steamed asparagus with any of the following main dishes:

Gluten-free chicken tendersChicken pattiesSpicy meatballs

Storing leftovers

Leftovers keep in the fridge in a sealed container for about 3 days, but they won’t be as good as fresh. I prefer to chop them cold and add them to a salad, such as this asparagus salad, rather than try to reheat them. Sometimes I wrap them in prosciutto slices for an improvised cold version of prosciutto-wrapped asparagus.

👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.