Steamed Asparagus (Quick and Easy)
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This simple Steamed Asparagus (Quick and Easy) is the best! Bright green, tender, juicy, and full of fresh flavors, these steamed asparagus are a tasty and healthy side dish ready in less than 10 minutes with a few basic ingredients.
Try my Roasted Asparagus or Bacon Asparagus next! Serve with Easy Oven Baked Cod Recipe (Lemon Butter and Herb).
Quick Look: Steamed Asparagus (Quick and Easy)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 4 people
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, can be made Vegan
- Method: Stove top
- Technique: Trim the asparagus, place in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover, and steam until bright green and just tender.
- Flavor & Texture: Light, fresh, and tender with a subtle natural sweetness
Why This Easy Side Dish Always Shines
The delicious asparagus remains light, tender, and buttery while keeping its shape and flavor with a gentle steam and a simple coating of extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and Parmigiano cheese. The trick to perfect steamed asparagus is simple: don’t overcook it! Just a few minutes of steaming preserves its vibrant color, natural sweetness, and crisp-tender texture, making it an effortless side that feels a little special.
Serve with Roasted Ham or Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs and Mashed Potatoes made with Garlic or Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes.
Made With Amore,
“Seriously I have not had asparagus so perfectly cooked. Just the right texture since I followed the recipe to steam the asparagus.”
– Gayle
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients that highlight the natural flavor and tenderness of fresh asparagus.
- Fresh Asparagus: Choose firm, bright green stalks; thicker asparagus holds up better to steaming.
- Olive Oil: Use extra virgin for the best flavor and a light, buttery coating.
- Lemon Juice & Zest: Adds bright, fresh citrus notes that enhance the natural flavor of asparagus. You can also cut wedges for serving.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Simple seasoning that brings out the sweetness of the vegetables.
- Parmigiano Cheese & Fresh Basil (Optional): Freshly grated cheese adds savory, nutty richness, while basil adds a fragrant, herbaceous finish.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Hollandaise Sauce: Make a hollandaise sauce and pour it over the top of the steamed asparagus for a creamy feel.
- Garlic Cloves: Add crushed garlic cloves to the boiling water, and it will infuse in the asparagus as it steams.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top of the cooked and seasoned asparagus for a spicy kick. Pair with Blackened Cod (Oven Baked).
- Balsamic Vinegar: Swap the lemon for balsamic vinegar. You may also like Italian Flat Green Beans Recipe (with Tomatoes and Garlic).
How To Make Steamed Asparagus (Quick and Easy)
Steamed asparagus with bright lemon and olive oil is a quick and easy way to cook this healthy vegetable! Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Wash and dry the asparagus. Trim the bottom 1 to 1 1/2 inches to remove the tough end or woody stem from the bottom of the asparagus. Next, in a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, basil, salt and pepper, and parmigiano cheese. Whisk until combined. Cover and set aside.
- Steam Asparagus (without steamer basket): Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the skillet (about 3/4 cup for a 12-inch skillet).
- Add the asparagus, cover with lid, and steam over medium-high heat until tender and bright green, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Place the asparagus on a serving platter using a slotted spoon or kitchen tongs, draining away any water. While warm, toss gently with the prepared dressing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Steamed Asparagus (Quick and Easy) FAQs
While a steamer can be a convenient way to cook asparagus, having one is unnecessary. You can steam asparagus using various other kitchen tools, such as a large pot with a steamer basket or a colander that fits inside a pot with a lid. You can also steam asparagus by using a little water in a large pot and laying the asparagus on top of that. The water will evaporate while cooking and cause a steam effect.
No one likes mushy asparagus! The best way to prevent it from getting mushy is to slightly steam it for 3-5 minutes and quickly remove from heat and place it in a water bath, or cold serving dish.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If you’re making the recipe ahead-of-time, once the asparagus is crisp-tender (a little underdone), transfer it to the ice bath to stop the cooking. Once cooled, dry with paper towels —Refrigerate in a paper-towel-lined airtight container. When ready to serve, heat in a saucepan over medium heat with olive oil for 2 minutes to warm. Add a squeeze of lemon, and serve.
Serving Suggestions
This steamed asparagus recipe is super versatile. Pair it with a main dish like this Oven Baked Salmon Steaks, Baked Salmon with Pesto, and Cheese Sauce Pasta Recipe. For another side, try my Creamy Parmesan Rice, as the flavors go together beautifully.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook: Steam just until bright green and tender-crisp to preserve flavor, color, and texture.
- Trim Evenly: Snap or cut the woody ends off each stalk so they cook evenly.
- Use Thick Stalks When Possible: Thicker asparagus holds up better to steaming and gives a more satisfying bite.
More Asparagus Recipes
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Steamed Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 large bundle asparagus, I prefer the thicker variety
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup freshly grated parmigiano cheese, parmesan cheese
- Lemon wedges for serving
- 3 Fresh basil, torn into small pieces
Instructions
- Wash and dry the asparagus. Trim the bottom 1 to 1 1/2 inches to remove the tough end or woody stem from the bottom of the asparagus.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, basil, salt and pepper, and parmigiano cheese. Whisk until combined. Cover and set aside.
- Steam Asparagus (without steamer basket): Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan- large skillet (about 3/4 cup for a 12-inch skillet). Add the asparagus, cover with lid, and steam over medium-high heat until tender and bright green, 3 to 5 minutes. Poke the thickest part with a fork to test for doneness.
- Steam Asparagus (with steamer basket): Add water to a pot to reach just under the steaming basket. Add the steamer basket and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, add the asparagus—steam with the lid on for 2 to 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Poke the thickest part with a fork to test for doneness.
- Season: Place the asparagus on a serving platter using a slotted spoon or kitchen tongs, draining away any water. While warm, toss gently with the prepared dressing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook: Steam just until bright green and tender-crisp to preserve flavor, color, and texture.
- Trim Evenly: Snap or cut the woody ends off each stalk so they cook evenly.
- Use Thick Stalks When Possible: Thicker asparagus holds up better to steaming and gives a more satisfying bite.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I love steamed asparagus for Easter dinner. But I am having a large crowd, and pretty much need to have everything prepared ahead of time.
Can I prepare these the night before, or several hours before guests arrive? And bring them up to room temperature about an hour prior to serving?
Let me know your best advice on how to achieve the best results with this asparagus recipe… And my time restrictions.
Many thanks!
Hi! I would prepare the dressing the day before and store in a jar in the fridge. Steam the asparagus (it’s fast!) before ready to eat and top with the prepared dressing! You can steam the asparagus ahead of time, store in the fridge, and reheat a bit- the only down side is the will get a little softer. They will taste great either way. Have a great celebration.
Yummy side dish
Happy you loved it!
Seriously I have not had asparagus so perfectly cooked. Just the right texture since I followed the recipe to steam the asparagus.
So happy it turned out amazing for you! it is my favorite way to enjoy asparagus these days.
I’ve made Asparagus like this before many times. This recipes was easy and yummy. Thanks for sharing.
So happy you loved it, Mel!
Definitely a perfect veggie side dish. Loved the lemon and parmesan on these. I actually roasted them in the oven and it worked great.
Roasting asparagus is another great option for this recipe! Yumm.
So good,, and fairly easy to make! Plus its different than other ways I have prepared asparagus!
Happy to bring you a new way to make asparagus!
I made this tonight and it was so good! my family loved it! I will definitely be using this recipe again and again!
Yay! I am making it on repeat with all the fresh asparagus this season.
I’ve made my own lemon parm asparagus before but Elena’s so much better I’ll do it this way from now on! That basil takes it a new level and I now consider it essential.
Yes! That light dressing is everything and is super easy to make. So happy you loved the asparagus prepared in this way.