Go Back

Steamed Asparagus

A quick and easy recipe for steaming asparagus, resulting in tender, crisp spears bursting with freshness and flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish, Vegetable
Cuisine: American
Calories: 27
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1 pound asparagus spears Choose firm and vibrant asparagus.
  • Water For steaming.
  • Lemon juice or zest For flavor enhancement.
  • Olive oil For drizzling.
  • Balsamic vinaigrette Optional for added sweetness and tang.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus by snapping them off at their natural break.
  2. Place the spears in a steamer basket.
Cooking
  1. Fill a wide skillet with about half an inch of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Ensure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
  3. Once boiling, place the steamer basket with asparagus into the skillet, cover with a tightly-fitted lid, and steam for about 3 minutes.
  4. Check for doneness: asparagus should be tender but still firm.
Serving
  1. Remove the steamer basket from the skillet and serve the asparagus.
  2. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette before serving.

Notes

Choose firm asparagus for the best results. To keep asparagus fresh, store upright in a glass of water in the refrigerator. Consider adding garlic or herbs to the steaming water for enhanced flavor.