Knowing how to steam asparagus, either on the stove or in the microwave, is a skill that leads to healthy side dishes and easy mix-ins for pasta salads. This tutorial covers everything you need to know about steaming asparagus!
Knowing how to steam asparagus is a skill that every veggie-loving home cook can easily master. Steaming asparagus is a quick and easy way to serve this tasty veggie as a side dish or an ingredient in your favorite recipes. Plus, it’s a healthy cooking method that helps to retain the asparagus’s nutrients and natural flavor.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Steaming? That sounds so boring!” But trust me, steamed asparagus can be anything but boring. It’s quick, easy, and a great way to showcase the natural flavor and texture of this versatile vegetable. The method is similar to steamed cauliflower.
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HOW TO CHOOSE ASPARAGUS
When choosing asparagus, look for bright green, firm stalks. The tips should be tightly closed and the stalks should be uniform in size. Avoid limp asparagus spears or ones with soft spots, which can indicate that it’s past its prime.
🔪HOW TO TRIM ASPARAGUS
To trim asparagus, snap off the woody ends where they naturally break. Hold the asparagus spear with two hands – one at the midpoint of the spear and the other near the root end of the spear. Bend the asparagus. It should snap off at the naturally break point. Discard the woody bottom piece. Alternatively, you can use a knife to cut off the ends.
- STEAMER BASKET: A regular collapsing stainless steel steamer basket does the trick. Spread it out completely to fit into the pan.
- PAN: To fit the asparagus properly, I set the steamer basket in a large skillet with a tightly fitting lid, such as an everyday pan.
- CONTAINER: If microwaving the asparagus, use a microwave-safe container that fits the asparagus properly. I prefer a glass container like these ones.
See recipe card below for full ingredients list & recipe directions.
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HOW TO STEAM ASPARAGUS
PREPARE THE ASPARAGUS: Trim the woody ends off of the asparagus by snapping them off at the natural break. See How to Trim Asparagus above for more details. Place the spears in the steamer basket, opened wide.
BOIL THE WATER: Fill the skillet with about ½-inch of water and bring it to a boil. The water should be low enough so that doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
STEAM: Place the steamer basket in the skillet, open as wide as it can go. Place a tightly fitted lid on the skillet. Steam for about 3 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender, but still a little firm. Avoid overcooking it.
The cook time varies depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears. Very thin (early spring) spear could take as little as 1 minute to steam.
SERVE: Serve with a squeeze of lemon or one of the flavor variations listed below.
ASPARAGUS IN THE MICROWAVE
Steaming asparagus in the microwave produces surprisingly good results. Prep the asparagus as suggested above, snapping off the woody ends. Pour 1 tablespoon of water into the bottom of a microwave-safe dish..
Add the asparagus, cover with a microwave-safe plate and cook on HIGH for approximately 3 minutes, or until the spears are tender (but slightly firm) when pierced with a fork. Adjust the cook time depending on the thickness of the spears.
Or try Air Fryer Asparagus.
FLAVOR VARIATIONS
- LEMON: After steaming your asparagus, toss it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Top with a sprinkle of lemon zest for extra flavor. If desired, add a little melted butter.
- GARLIC PARMESAN: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and minced garlic over your steamed asparagus for a tasty and flavorful twist.
- SOY SESAME: Drizzle steamed asparagus with soy sauce and a touch of sesame oil for a savory Asian-inspired flavor.
- BALSAMIC GLAZED: Whisk together balsamic vinegar and honey, then drizzle over your steamed asparagus for a sweet and tangy glaze.
- HERB INFUSED: Add some fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil to white balsamic or white wine vinegar and olive oil for a fragrant and flavorful touch.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Steamed asparagus is an easy side dish and can be served straight from the steamer with a squeeze of lime or a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. Or try one of these ideas:
PASTA SALAD: Cut it into 1-inch pieces and stir into a pasta salad or rice noodle salad.
GREEN SALAD: Cut into 1-inch pieces and incorporate into a green salad with sliced hard-boiled egg. Drizzle with a balsamic dressing or Greek salad dressing.
WRAP SANDWICH: Lay the whole spears on top of your favorite wrap sandwich fillings. Try them in Egg Salad Collard Green Wraps or Edamame Hummus Veggie Wraps.
PICNIC: Pack cold, cooked asparagus for a picnic. Dip it into a container of your favorite dressing.
MAKE-AHEAD AND STORAGE
Steamed asparagus can be served hot or cold. Cool the steamed asparagus to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a steamer basket to steam asparagus?
Using a steamer basket is my preferred way to steam asparagus. However, you can also steam asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with a lid or a plate resting on top. Add 1 tablespoon of water to the dish before steaming.
How do I know when the asparagus is done steaming?
The asparagus should be tender but still have a slight crunch. Test it with a fork to see if it’s done to your liking.
Can I steam asparagus without a steamer basket or microwave?
Yes, you can also steam asparagus in a pot with a lid. Simply add a few inches of water to the pot, place a heat-proof plate on top of the water, and arrange the asparagus on the plate. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the asparagus for a few minutes.r
Is steamed asparagus a good source of nutrients?
Yes, steamed asparagus is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and folate. Steaming asparagus also helps to retain its nutrients better than other cooking methods.
Other Asparagus Recipes You’ll Love
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Printable Recipe
How to Steam Asparagus
Knowing how to steam asparagus, either on the stove or in the microwave, is a skill that leads to healthy side dishes and easy mix-ins for pasta salads.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 23kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus spears
- Water
Optional:
- Lemon juice or zest
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinaigrette
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Instructions
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Trim the woody ends off of the asparagus by snapping them off at the natural break. Place the spears in the steamer basket opened wide.
-
Fill the a wide skillet (with a lid) with about ½-inch of water and bring it to a boil. The water should be low enough so that doesn’t touch the bottom of the steamer basket.
-
Place the steamer basket with the asparagus in the skillet, open as wide as it can go. Place a tightly fitted lid on the skillet. Steam for about 3 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender, but still a little firm. Avoid overcooking it.
-
The cook time varies depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears. Very thin (early spring) spear could take as little as 1 minute to steam.
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Serve with a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of balsamic dressing.
Notes
Nutritional calculations do not include any toppings, such as olive oil or dressings.
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I provide nutritional information for my recipes as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using the LoseIt! calculator. While I attempt to provide information that is as accurate as possible, you should calculate the nutritional information independently before relying on it.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.25of the asparagus | Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.4g | Protein: 2.5g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 2.3mg | Fiber: 2.4g | Sugar: 2.1g
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