Fish Free Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Bright, grassy asparagus gets the simple treatment it deserves here — steamed just until tender and vibrant, then finished with a drizzle of good olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon. The whole thing comes together in minutes, making it one of those effortless sides that somehow looks and tastes far more impressive than the effort involved. Steaming keeps the spears crisp-tender rather than waterlogged, so every bite has that satisfying snap. A little lemon zest scattered over the top at the end adds a fragrant citrus punch that ties everything together beautifully. There are no hidden sauces, broths, or condiments to worry about — just clean, whole ingredients you can see and trust. It pairs well with just about anything on the table and is the kind of dish that disappears fast, so you might want to make extra.
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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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