Easy Steamed Asparagus Recipe
Now, lemme tell you, my husband? He’s a meat-and-potatoes kinda guy. Getting him to eat anything green is usually a battle. But THIS? He actually ASKS for it. Like, “Hey, can we have that asparagus thing again?” It’s a freaking miracle. One time, I was running late getting dinner on the table (surprise, surprise!), and I just threw some asparagus in the steamer. He actually ate it all! No complaints! He was actually mad when there was nothing left. I knew then that I struck gold with this simple recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Steamed Asparagus Recipe
- It’s so fast, it’s practically illegal. Like, from fridge to table in under 10 minutes.
- Even picky eaters will eat it. I swear, it’s like green vegetable kryptonite.
- You only need a few ingredients. Less shopping, more Netflix. Amen.
- Asparagus is good for you (allegedly). So, you know, you can feel virtuous while you’re shoveling it in.
- It goes with everything. Chicken, fish, steak, tofu… you name it, asparagus is its friend.
How to Make It
Okay, so first things first, grab your asparagus. Give it a good rinse, because, you know, dirt. Then, snap off the woody ends. You know, the kinda pale, tough part? Just bend it and it’ll snap naturally. That’s how my grandma did it.
Now, find a pot that has a steamer basket (or one of those foldable steamer things). Add a bit of water, not too much. You don’t want the asparagus drowning, just steaming. Bring that water to a boil.
Once it’s boiling like crazy, toss the asparagus in the steamer basket. Cover the pot and let it steam for, like, 5-7 minutes. It should be bright green and tender-crisp. Nobody likes mushy asparagus, yuck.
While it’s steaming, melt some butter in a small dish (or just nuke it, I won’t judge). Squeeze in some lemon juice and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk it all together.
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When the asparagus is done, carefully transfer it to a serving dish. Pour that lemony buttery goodness over it. Serve it. Watch it disappear. You’re welcome!
Ingredient Notes
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- Asparagus: Fresh is best, obvi. But if you only have frozen, thaw it first and pat it dry. Otherwise, it’ll be watery (been there, done that).
- Butter: Real butter, people. Don’t even think about margarine. It just won’t be the same. Olive oil works in a pinch but butter gives you that extra bit of flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is always better, but bottled works when you’re in a hurry. Just don’t use the concentrate stuff. Blech.
- Salt & Pepper: Don’t skip it! It brings out all the flavors. I like using sea salt but table salt is fine.
Recipe Steps:
- Rinse asparagus and snap off the woody ends.
- Fill a pot with a steamer basket with water and bring to a boil.
- Add asparagus to the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 5-7 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Melt butter and whisk in lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer asparagus to a serving dish and pour the butter mixture over it.
- Serve immediately.
What to Serve It With
Honestly, anything! Grilled chicken or fish is fantastic. It also rocks alongside a juicy steak. If you’re vegetarian, try it with some quinoa and a fried egg. Seriously, asparagus is a team player.
Tips & Mistakes
- Don’t overcook it! Mushy asparagus is a crime against humanity. Aim for tender-crisp.
- If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can use a colander set inside a pot. Just make sure the colander isn’t touching the water.
- Add a little garlic powder to the butter sauce for extra flavor.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings. Everything Bagel seasoning is pretty great here.
Storage Tips
If you have leftover asparagus (which is rare, in my house), store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for a couple of days. You can reheat it in the microwave, but honestly, I usually just eat it cold. It’s surprisingly good straight from the fridge. I’ve even been known to eat it for breakfast. Don’t judge me!
Variations and Substitutions
- No lemon? Use lime! Or a splash of white wine vinegar.
- Don’t have butter? Olive oil works just fine.
- Feeling fancy? Sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top.
- Want it spicy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce.
- Once I skipped the lemon juice because I ran out. I added a little vinegar. It wasn’t the same, but hey, it worked.
- If you don’t have fresh asparagus, frozen will work. Just don’t overcook it!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Easy Steamed Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Wash and trim the asparagus by cutting off the woody ends.
- In a large pot with a steamer basket, bring 1 inch of water to a boil.
- Place the asparagus in the steamer basket, cover, and steam until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove asparagus from steamer and immediately toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
