Wheat Free Steamed Asparagus with Brown Butter
Asparagus season deserves a recipe this good, and this one delivers with almost no effort. Fresh spears are steamed right in a skillet until they're vivid green and just tender — that perfect bend without the flop — then finished with one of the most rewarding techniques in cooking: brown butter. Watching the milk solids turn golden and catching that first wave of nutty aroma is genuinely one of the small joys of being in a kitchen. The whole dish comes together with butter, sea salt, fresh parsley, and optional thyme, which means every single ingredient is naturally free of wheat and grain-based additives — no substitutions needed, no label-checking required. For anyone navigating wheat sensitivities, simple side dishes can sometimes feel like an afterthought, but this one feels intentional and a little luxurious. Serve it the moment the brown butter hits the platter, because the flavors are at their absolute peak right away.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, woody ends snapped off
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Arrange the asparagus in a single layer in a large skillet. Add enough cold water to reach about 1/4 inch up the sides of the pan. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then steam for 3–5 minutes, until the spears are bright green and just tender when pierced at the thickest point with a paring knife — they should bend slightly but not flop.
- 2
Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter using tongs and discard the steaming water. Pat the skillet dry or use a separate small light-colored saucepan for the butter.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!