Best 20 Steamed Asparagus Recipes

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Asparagus, a spring vegetable known for its delicate flavor and vibrant green color, takes center stage in this culinary exploration. Steaming, a gentle cooking method, preserves asparagus's natural goodness while enhancing its unique taste. This article presents a collection of steamed asparagus recipes, each offering a distinct twist on this classic vegetable. From a simple yet elegant steamed asparagus with lemon and butter to a more elaborate version featuring a flavorful vinaigrette dressing, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Additionally, a unique recipe incorporating steamed asparagus into a refreshing salad promises a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Whether you seek a quick and easy side dish or a vibrant main course, these steamed asparagus recipes are sure to satisfy your culinary cravings.

Here are our top 20 tried and tested recipes!

SIMPLY STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Simply Steamed Asparagus image

Makes even tough asparagus, tender and tasty! Try using vinaigrette dressing in place of the butter too.

Provided by KIMIRAEJ

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Asparagus

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 bunch asparagus spears
1 teaspoon butter
¼ teaspoon salt
3 cups water

Steps:

  • Place water in the bottom half of a steamer pan set. Add salt and butter, and bring to a boil.
  • Trim the dry ends off of the asparagus. If the spears are thick, peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler. Place them in the top half of the steamer pan set. Steam for 5 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the asparagus, or until asparagus is tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 31.7 calories, Carbohydrate 4.4 g, Cholesterol 2.7 mg, Fat 1.2 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 160.1 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON BUTTER



Steamed Asparagus with Lemon Butter image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/2 pound fresh asparagus
Salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Steps:

  • Wash asparagus and trim off bottom of stems by about 2 inches. In a large skillet, bring about 1/2 inch of water to a rapid boil. Season the water with salt and add the asparagus. Cook the asparagus for 2-3 minutes or until bright green and just tender. Drain the asparagus and add butter to the skillet. Stir in the zest and juice. Return the drained asparagus to the skillet and toss to coat. Serve immediately

STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Steamed Asparagus image

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     side-dish

Time 9m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 3

1/4 cup water
1 pound fresh asparagus, 1 to 1 1/2 inches cut off the bottom
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Pour or spritz the water onto 4 paper towels. Spread out the paper towels and lay the asparagus on top of the dampened towels. Sprinkle with the salt. Roll up the asparagus in the dampened towels. Lay the bundle, seam side down, in the microwave. Microwave on high until the asparagus is just crisp tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the microwave using tongs and carefully unwrap. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

TROUT AMANDINE, STEAMED ASPARAGUS, AND NEW POTATOES



Trout Amandine, Steamed Asparagus, and New Potatoes image

Timing tip: Set a deep pot filled midway with water on the stove for your potatoes. It will come to a boil while you prepare the appetizer tray.

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
1 1/4 pounds thin asparagus spears
10 blades fresh chives, snipped or chopped
8 (4-ounce) lake or rainbow trout fillets
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus a drizzle for potatoes
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup (about 6 ounces) whole blanched almonds
A handful fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 lemon, wedged

Steps:

  • Place oven on low and rest a platter on an oven rack.
  • Add potatoes to a deep pot of boiling water; just enough to cover potatoes. Salt water and add potato halves. The potatoes will cook for about 12 minutes for fork tender.
  • Hold asparagus spears at each end. Snap asparagus tips from tough ends by bending spears. Place spears in a colander. Rest colander on top of the potato pot and place a cover over the colander. The asparagus will steam while the potatoes cook. Do this the last 5 or 6 minutes that the potatoes are cooking.
  • Potatoes will be just about done when the last of your trout is going into the skillet (method follows.) When the potatoes are tender, take a minute to drain them and return them to warm pot. Leave asparagus covered and set aside. Dress potatoes with chives, a drizzle of olive oil and a little salt. Leave in warm pot until trout is on the table, then transfer to a serving bowl.
  • Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Combine egg and milk in a tin pie plate, beat with a fork. Place a cup of flour in a second pie tin and season well with salt and sparingly with pepper. Coat trout fillets in egg and milk, then in seasoned flour. Collect fillets on a plate until all of them are dredged and ready to be cooked.
  • Add 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to your skillet, half a turn of the pan in a slow stream. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons butter to the pan. When the butter foams, add trout and gently saute 4 fillets for 2 or 3 minutes on each side, until golden. Transfer trout fillets to warm platter in oven.
  • Return pan to the stove and add 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin oil and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter. When butter foams, repeat cooking process. When all of the trout is cooked, add last tablespoon of butter to the pan. When the butter melts, add almonds and brown until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Remove trout from oven and pour almonds over the platter. Garnish platter with chopped parsley, lemon wedges, steamed asparagus spears, and potatoes.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH HERB SAUCE



Steamed Asparagus With Herb Sauce image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Categories     easy, side dish

Time 35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 pounds asparagus
10 fresh basil leaves
4 sprigs watercress, plus additional watercress for garnish
5 large mint leaves
1 small handful parsley
1 tablespoon chopped chives
Course salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Wash the asparagus carefully and gently scrape them to remove all trace of soil. Tie together, according to size, with string. Put the asparagus into two inches of boiling, salted water. Cook, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, according to size; the asparagus should remain al dente. Drain and put into cold water briefly to cool rapidly and to maintain color. Drain on paper towels, then place on a round platter, tips toward the center.
  • Prepare a sauce with the remaining ingredients. Place all the herbs except for the additional watercress in a blender, add the salt and pepper, and blend for a second. Add the lemon juice and then the oil in a trickle to the blender on low speed. Pour the sauce over the cooled asparagus. Garnish with the reserved watercress. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 155, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 576 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH GINGER GARLIC SAUCE



Steamed Asparagus with Ginger Garlic Sauce image

Categories     Wok     Garlic     Ginger     Vegetable     Steam     Stir-Fry     Quick & Easy     Low Cal     Asparagus     Spring     Healthy     Sesame     Gourmet

Yield Serves 4 as an Entrèe with Rice or 6 as a Side Dish

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon medium-dry Sherry or Scotch
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger root
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted lightly
Accompaniment: Cooked rice, if desired

Steps:

  • In a steamer set over boiling water, steam asparagus, covered, until just crisp-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well.
  • In a 1-cup measure, stir together cornstarch and water until dissolved and stir in soy sauce, Sherry or Scotch, sugar, salt and sesame oil.
  • Heat a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until hot and add vegetable oil. Heat vegetable oil until hot but not smoking and stir-fry ginger root and garlic 30 seconds. Add asparagus and stir-fry 30 seconds. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to asparagus. Bring liquid to a boil, stirring, and stir-fry mixture until asparagus is well coated. Sprinkle asparagus with sesame seeds and toss.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Steamed Asparagus image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 16m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 2

1 bunch asparagus
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Set up a steamer, fill the bottom with water and bring to a boil. If the asparagus are very thick, peel them. Start about 2-inch down from the tip of the stalk and peel. It is not necessary to peel thin asparagus. Cut the asparagus to fit into your steamer basket. Cover and steam until the asparagus are bright green and tender, but still somewhat crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes for thick asparagus and 3 to 5 minutes for thin asparagus. Remove from the steamer and season with salt and pepper.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE



Steamed Asparagus with Shallot Vinaigrette image

Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Categories     Side     Steam     Low Fat     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Low Cal     Low Sodium     Asparagus     Spring     Healthy     Low Cholesterol     Vegan     Shallot     Bon Appétit

Number Of Ingredients 7

Asparagus
Red wine vinegar
Extra-virgin olive oil
Finely chopped shallots
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Drizzle steamed asparagus with a vinaigrette of red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, finely chopped shallots, and chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Steamed Asparagus image

Provided by Molly O'Neill

Categories     easy, quick, side dish

Time 15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 pounds asparagus, ends snapped off, stalks peeled

Steps:

  • Combine the lemon juice, olive oil and water in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Place the asparagus in a steamer basket over the liquid. Cover and simmer until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Place the asparagus on a clean towel and pat dry. To serve, stand the asparagus up in 1 or 2 glasses.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 182, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 3 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams

STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Steamed Asparagus image

This member of the lily family has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. Asparagus is at its peak from February through June and is a good source of fiber, folic acid, and potassium.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 1/2 pounds asparagus
1 tablespoon butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pepper

Steps:

  • Place asparagus in a steamer basket set over boiling water. Steam, covered, until easily pierced with a sharp knife, 2 to 6 minutes.
  • Toss with butter, salt, and a pinch of pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 66 g, Fat 4 g, Protein 5 g

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH ALMOND BUTTER



Steamed Asparagus With Almond Butter image

From Bon Appetit. A little fancier way to serve asparagus than just the traditional steamed or roasted method. Asparagus is steamed and topped with a lemon almond butter that is seasoned with shallots, garlic and parsley. Delish! Note that cooking time includes time required to steam the asparagus.

Provided by Epi Curious

Categories     Vegetable

Time 50m

Yield 8 , 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped (fresh)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon peel, grated
2 lbs asparagus, fresh, trimmed
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Steps:

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy small skillet over low heat. Add shallots and garlic and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Pour into medium bowl. Add remaining 6 tablespoons butter, parsley, lemon juice and lemon peel to shallot mixture and whisk to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Steam asparagus until crisp-tender. Set aside.
  • Place butter mixture in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add almonds and cook until butter browns, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add asparagus and stir until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper; divide among plates and serve.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON



Steamed Asparagus With Lemon image

Make and share this Steamed Asparagus With Lemon recipe from Food.com.

Provided by rochsann

Categories     Vegetable

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 2

1 lb asparagus, rinsed and trimmed
1/2 lemon

Steps:

  • Steam asparagus gently until tender, certainly not mushy.
  • Put asparagus in bowl, and squeeze lemon half over the asparagus until fairly well-covered.
  • Salt, pepper, and/or butter are optional, but I like the dish as is.

SIMPLY STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Simply Steamed Asparagus image

Spring is the best time to take advantage of the subtle, grassy taste of fresh asparagus. Once steamed, it goes well with eggs, ham, and cheese, or even more intense flavors, such as soy sauce and ginger.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 1

1 pound trimmed asparagus

Steps:

  • Place a steamer basket in a large pot filled with 1 inch water. Bring to a boil. Add 1 pound trimmed asparagus, cover, and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 6 minutes.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH PISTACHIOS AND BROWN BUTTER



Steamed Asparagus With Pistachios and Brown Butter image

This versatile brown butter sauce could enhance all sorts of other vegetables, or fish for that matter. But it just so happens to be a delightful pairing with perfectly cooked fresh green asparagus.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, easy, lunch, quick, weekday, vegetables, appetizer, side dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 1/2 pounds medium asparagus, tough ends snapped off
Salt and pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped sage, plus 12 whole sage leaves
2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup toasted pistachios, crushed

Steps:

  • Put a large wide skillet on the stove. Add about 1 inch water, salt it well, cover the skillet, and place over high heat. When water comes to a rapid boil, add asparagus in one layer, cover, and cook for 2 minutes, or just until barely done.
  • Drain asparagus and keep warm loosely wrapped in a kitchen towel.
  • Return skillet to stovetop over high heat. Add butter and swirl pan, then add chopped sage and sage leaves.
  • When butter gets foamy, lightly browned and nutty-smelling, a minute or two, stir in lemon juice and zest and turn the heat to low.
  • Put cooked asparagus back in pan and season with salt and pepper. Shake pan gently to coat with butter sauce. Using tongs, transfer asparagus to a large warmed platter. Spoon remaining sauce over asparagus, sprinkle with pistachios and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 136, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 314 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

MICROWAVE STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Microwave Steamed Asparagus image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     side-dish

Time 10m

Yield 1 serving

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 to 6 large asparagus, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, for topping

Steps:

  • Put the asparagus in a microwave-safe dish and sprinkle with the olive oil and 1 tablespoon water, season with salt and pepper and top with the tarragon. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and seal well. Microwave for 2 minutes. Top with freshly shaved Parmesan and serve immediately.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH ORANGE BUTTER SAUCE



Steamed Asparagus With Orange Butter Sauce image

Make and share this Steamed Asparagus With Orange Butter Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by januarybride

Categories     Vegetable

Time 20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 lbs fresh asparagus
1/2 cup butter (may sub margarine)
1/3 cup minced shallot (may sub white part of green onions)
1 1/4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1/3 cups orange juice

Steps:

  • Rinse asparagus well, trim bottoms an stand upright in a steamer with water to cover 1/2 inch of the stalks.
  • Steam until crisp-tender, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Drain and keep warm.
  • In the meanwhile, melt 1T of butter in a wide frying pan over medium heat. Add shallots/onion and cook, stirring until soft.
  • Add mustard and juice. Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to 1/3 cup.
  • Remove sauce from heat and stir in remaining.
  • Place asparagus on a serving platter and top with the sauce.

MICROWAVE STEAMED ASPARAGUS TIPS



Microwave Steamed Asparagus Tips image

What I love about this recipe is the ease of preparation. The asparagus comes out still crisp. To make things easier I use a Tupperware microwave steamer and I have a gadget called "Misto" that you put olive oil in to mist your foods. Cooking time includes standing time.

Provided by Gadgetsmidnight

Categories     Vegetable

Time 10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 lb ripe asparagus
1/2 cup water
olive oil
seasoning salt, to taste

Steps:

  • Clean fresh Asparagus and snap off wooden ends. Discard wooden ends or use in another recipe.
  • Place water in bottom of steamer.
  • In steamer basket lay the Asparagus with tips pointing towards the outer edge of basket.
  • Mist Asparagus with olive oil or drizzle lightly with olive oil.
  • Sprinkle with seasoned salt. I usually eyeball this, but it is around 1/2 teaspoon.
  • Place in Microwave. Microwave on high 2 to 3 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes.
  • Enjoy.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH OLIVE BUTTER



Steamed Asparagus with Olive Butter image

If you love olives, try this combination of flavors to liven up simple steamed asparagus. Butter, garlic, lemon juice, and olives give great flavor and take asparagus to the next level.

Provided by Bibi

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Asparagus

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 pounds fresh asparagus, trimmed
¼ cup unsalted butter
½ teaspoon minced garlic
4 pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ teaspoon lemon zest

Steps:

  • Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add asparagus cover, and steam until desired tenderness is achieved, 6 to 9 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in olives and lemon juice; heat thoroughly, but do not boil, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Place steamed asparagus in a serving dish and pour sauce on top. Garnish with lemon zest and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152.2 calories, Carbohydrate 9.2 g, Cholesterol 30.5 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 127.6 mg, Sugar 4.2 g

MENA'S SIMPLE STEAMED ASPARAGUS



Mena's Simple Steamed Asparagus image

This is a quick and easy way to prepare a steamed asparagus side dish in the microwave.

Provided by Malina Bleeding Heart Morris

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Asparagus

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 bunch fresh asparagus
¼ cup water
1 lemon
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • Take each spear of asparagus and break it towards the end, wherever it naturally snaps, to remove woody ends. Place asparagus in a microwave-safe glass container with a lid. Pour in water.
  • Roll lemon on a flat work surface to release the juices; slice in half. Squeeze each half over the asparagus. Sprinkle with pepper and garlic powder.
  • Cover container and place in the microwave. Cook on high until tender-crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 28.6 calories, Carbohydrate 7.4 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 3.6 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

SIMPLE STEAMED THICK ASPARAGUS



Simple Steamed Thick Asparagus image

Don't be tempted to undercook the asparagus; the stalks should be tender and bend slightly when held in the center.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Quick & Easy Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 bundles thick asparagus (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Trim and peel tough ends of asparagus stalks. Fill a large saute pan with 1/2 inch cold water; bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Place asparagus in saute pan, working in batches if necessary, and cover tightly with a lid or foil. Let steam until asparagus is tender and slightly limp, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter; drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Tips:

  • Choose the right asparagus: Look for spears that are firm, straight, and have tightly closed tips. Avoid spears that are limp, wilted, or have brown or yellow spots.
  • Prepare the asparagus: Wash the asparagus spears thoroughly and trim off the tough ends. You can also peel the asparagus spears if desired, but this is not necessary.
  • Steam the asparagus: There are two main ways to steam asparagus: in a steamer basket or in a microwave. To steam asparagus in a steamer basket, fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Place the asparagus spears in the steamer basket and set it over the boiling water. Cover the saucepan and steam the asparagus for 3-5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. To steam asparagus in the microwave, place the asparagus spears in a microwave-safe dish with 1/4 cup of water. Cover the dish and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
  • Season the asparagus: Once the asparagus is steamed, season it with your favorite seasonings. Some popular options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, and butter.
  • Serve the asparagus: Steamed asparagus can be served as a side dish or as a main course. It can also be used in salads, soups, and stir-fries.

Conclusion:

Steaming is a healthy and delicious way to cook asparagus. It preserves the asparagus's nutrients and natural flavor. Steamed asparagus can be enjoyed as a side dish, main course, or ingredient in other dishes. With its versatility and health benefits, steamed asparagus is a great addition to any meal.

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