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Perfectly tender-crisp asparagus spears, steamed to bring out their natural sweetness. A simple, elegant side dish that's ready in minutes and pairs with almost any meal.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Asparagus
Set Up the Steamer
Steam the Asparagus
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This recipe goes great with these complete meals
Perfectly tender-crisp asparagus spears, steamed to bring out their natural sweetness. A simple, elegant side dish that's ready in minutes and pairs with almost any meal.
This american recipe takes 10 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 22.86 calories per serving with 2.49g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for side.
Season and Serve
Add a few smashed garlic cloves, lemon slices, or fresh herbs like thyme to the steaming water to infuse the asparagus with subtle flavor.
After steaming, toss the asparagus with a drizzle of sesame oil, a splash of soy sauce, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the hot steamed asparagus just before serving. The heat will melt the cheese slightly.
Toss the finished asparagus with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and finely chopped fresh parsley or dill.
Asparagus is a nutrient-dense vegetable, providing a good source of fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, E, and K.
The high fiber content promotes regularity, while a prebiotic fiber called inulin feeds beneficial bacteria in your gut, contributing to a healthy digestive system.
It is rich in antioxidants like glutathione, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which help protect your cells from the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress.
Asparagus contains the amino acid asparagine, which acts as a natural diuretic, helping the body flush excess salt and fluid, which can be beneficial for blood pressure.
A 115g serving of plain steamed asparagus contains approximately 23 calories, making it a very low-calorie side dish.
Yes, it is very healthy. Steaming is a cooking method that preserves nutrients well. Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, as well as folate and fiber. It's also low in calories and sodium.
The ideal steamed asparagus is 'tender-crisp'. It should be bright green in color and you should be able to easily pierce the thickest part of the stalk with a fork, but it should still have a slight bite and not be limp or mushy.
Yes. Place the prepared asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Cover the dish and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes, depending on your microwave's power and the thickness of the spears. Check for doneness and drain any excess water before serving.
This is a classic sign of overcooking. Asparagus cooks very quickly. Even an extra minute or two can take it from perfectly tender-crisp to soft and mushy. Be sure to check it at the lower end of the recommended cooking time.