Beef Free Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Bright, crisp asparagus dressed in good olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon is one of those side dishes that looks far more impressive than the effort it takes to make. Steaming keeps the spears vivid green and perfectly tender without waterlogging them, so every bite has that satisfying snap. The finishing drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil adds a silky richness, while the lemon juice cuts right through it with a clean, citrusy lift. A little lemon zest scattered over the top takes the whole thing to another level if you have a spare minute. This is the kind of recipe that pairs beautifully with almost anything on the table — grilled fish, roasted chicken, pasta, you name it. Simple ingredients, zero fuss, and a result that genuinely tastes like something from a nice restaurant.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ lb fresh asparagus, tough ends snapped off
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pour about 1 inch of water into a large skillet or wide saucepan and set a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- 2
Arrange the asparagus in the steamer basket in a single layer. Cover and steam until the spears are bright green and just tender when pierced at the thickest point with a paring knife, 4–6 minutes for medium spears or 6–7 minutes for thick spears.
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