Nitrate & Nitrite Free Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Fresh asparagus is one of those vegetables that genuinely shines when you keep things simple, and this steamed preparation is proof. The spears come out vibrant green and just tender — not mushy — with a clean snap that holds up beautifully under a drizzle of good olive oil and a squeeze of bright lemon juice. For anyone navigating a diet free from nitrates and nitrites, this dish is a natural fit: every single ingredient is a whole, unprocessed food with nothing hidden in the label. There are no cured meats, no packaged sauces, no preservatives to second-guess — just asparagus, citrus, olive oil, and a pinch of sea salt. The optional lemon zest takes it from simple side dish to something that feels genuinely restaurant-worthy. It comes together in under ten minutes and pairs easily with almost any main, making it one of the most effortless clean-eating wins you can put on the table.
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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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