Cooking

Steamed Asparagus

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Asparagus is a delicious and delicate spring favorite.

Steamed asparagus is an easy side dish or perfect prep for adding to pasta.

plated Steamed Asparagus with melted butter

A Favorite Steamed Veggie

Asparagus is an elegant veggie that needs little more than some butter and salt.

Steaming is a favorite way to cook asparagus to tender-crisp. It keeps a bright green color, preserves nutrients, and is ready in minutes.
Frozen asparagus can be cooked the same way by adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
Serve hot with a drizzle of homemade hollandaise sauce, or chill and add to an Italian pasta salad.

prepping asparagus to make Steamed Asparagus

How to Steam Asparagus

To prepare the asparagus, rinse in cool water and shake it dry.
Gently bend each spear, and the bottom of the asparagus will naturally snap off the woody ends.
Place a steamer basket in the bottom of a large saucepan or pot with a lid and add about an inch of water.
Once the water is simmering over medium-high heat, use tongs to place the asparagus in the basket and cover.

No Steamer Basket? No Problem!

If you have a small strainer that fits in the bottom of the pot, use that, or you can use just enough water to cover the bottom of a saucepan (adding more if needed).

The water should not touch the steamer basket or strainer in the pot, so add just a little bit. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t evaporate and pour in a little more if needed.

Tips for Perfect Steamed Asparagus

Like most steamed vegetables, asparagus is easy to prepare and full of flavor.

Choose asparagus spears of the same width to ensure even cooking.
Avoid overcrowding the steaming basket and ensure the basket doesn’t touch the water.
Asparagus can vary in thickness so cooking time can vary. Cook thinner spears for about 3-4 minutes and medium spears for about 4-6 minutes or until they reach desired doneness.

Serving Suggestions

Cooked spears can be served warm, at room temperature, or even chilled in salads.

Swap the butter or olive oil for garlic butter.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over top (or add some lemon zest) or sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Season the steamed asparagus and top with a runny poached egg. Break the egg over the asparagus as you serve it.

More Asparagus Recipes

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Steamed Asparagus

Follow these handy tips for a quick and easy asparagus side dish!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Wash asparagus under cool water and shake a little bit to dry.
Snap off the bottom stem of each spear.
Place water in the bottom of a saucepan and line with a steamer basket ensuring the water doesn’t touch the basket. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
Place asparagus in the basket, cover and allow to steam 4-6 minutes depending on thickness and desired doneness.
Place asparagus on a plate, toss with butter and season with salt & pepper. Serve warm.

Nutrition information is for asparagus only.

Choose asparagus spears of the same width to ensure even cooking.
Avoid overcrowding the steamer basket and ensure the basket doesn’t touch the water (or the asparagus will boil instead of steam).
Asparagus can vary in thickness so cooking time can vary. Cook thinner spears for about 3-4 minutes and medium spears for about 4-6 minutes or until they reach desired doneness.
Cooked spears can be served warm, room temperature or even chilled in salads.
Leftovers can be refrigerated by storing in airtight containers for 4-5 days.
To freeze, cool completely and transfer to freezer bags. Squeeze the air out and store for 2-3 months.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

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