Steamed Asparagus

This Steamed Asparagus is tender and flavorful. It is a simple dish that is steamed and then drizzled with brown butter for a rich and scrumptious flavor.

This recipe for Steamed Asparagus is so simple, yet so flavorful. The stalks of asparagus are steamed to just the right amount of tenderness, then salted and topped with a rich and nutty brown butter. The flavors are absolutely delicious and you can easily make this as a side dish on even the busiest of nights. The steamer basket allows you to get just the right level of tenderness so you can cook this dish while preparing the main course.

This healthy side is full of vitamins and minerals, and steaming won't lose them like boiling or other cooking methods might. This is a great way to enjoy a really beneficial vegetable in your diet, and it's so easy. You'll find yourself wanting to make this dish again and again. Let's look at what you'll need to make this Steamed Asparagus.

Video Tutorial

Main Ingredients

• Asparagus. You can use regular or white asparagus.
• Salt. Use more or less, depending on personal preferences.
• Butter. I like to brown the butter for extra flavor.

How to make Steamed Asparagus

1. Pour about 1 inch of water into a large saucepan and set up a collapsible steamer inside. Bring it to a boil. (In the meantime, trim the asparagus, if needed).

2. Now, lay the asparagus in the steamer, cover, and steam until tender, about 6-8 minutes (depending on how tender you like the asparagus).

3. Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter, season with salt, and drizzle with melted browned butter. You can also add a splash of lemon juice, if desired.

Helpful Tips & Tricks

• Choose good quality asparagus. When choosing your asparagus, look for ones that arrear green and fresh.
• Trim the asparagus. The ends of the stalks are tough and fibrous so it's best to trim off those woodsy bits before you steam them.
• Don't overload the steamer. To get even steaming, make sure you aren't overloading the steamer. Otherwise, you won't get even cooking throughout.
• Brown the butter. Doing this step adds a rich, nutty flavor to the Steamed Asparagus that you will love.

Variations to this Recipe

• Add other vegetables. You can make this dish with a variety of other vegetables as well, such as brussels sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, onion, or broccoli.
• Try different seasonings. Add some onion powder, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, paprika, or cayenne pepper to these Steamed Asparagus.
• Add garlic. Try this with minced garlic for extra flavor. You can also add garlic powder if you prefer.
• Make it vegan. Instead of butter, use plant-based butter or olive oil on these asparagus stalks for a rich flavor that's also vegan.

How to Store and Reheat it

Store any leftovers of this Steamed Asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat them, just splash some water into a pan and heat on the stovetop for a few minutes.

What to Serve this Steamed Asparagus with

• Pasta. Serve this Steamed Asparagus with your favorite pasta dishes, like this Mushroom Spinach Pasta, Pasta with Chickpeas, Spaghetti with Olive Oil and Garlic, or Easy Angel Hair Pasta.
• Grains. Enjoy this dish with nutritious grains, like rice, sorghum, bulgur, and quinoa. It goes well with Rice with Mushrooms, Quinoa with Eggs and Vegetables, and Easy Bulgur Salad.
• Proteins. Make it the side dish to some Chicken Burgers with Avocado Corn Salsa, Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast, Sofritas, or Air Fryer Pork Chops.
• Soup. This veggie is delicious with soup, such as this Hearty Beef Barley Soup, Hearty Mushroom Soup, Quick Orzo Soup, Easy Lemon Lentil Soup, or Chickpea Noodle Soup.

This is a great dish to have on your meal plan. It's simple, flavorful, and only needs 3 ingredients. It's the perfect accompaniment to so many main courses or even other side dishes for a light meal. You'll love serving this healthy recipe to your family and friends. Enjoy!

More tasty veggie recipes:

• Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Easy Sautéed Napa Cabbage
• Baked Okra
• Steamed Green Beans