Shellfish Free Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Bright, crisp, and finished with a glossy drizzle of good olive oil, this steamed asparagus is the kind of simple side dish that makes a weeknight dinner feel a little more special. Steaming keeps the spears vibrantly green and perfectly tender without waterlogging them, so every bite has that satisfying snap. Fresh lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt do all the heavy lifting in the flavor department, and a little lemon zest on top adds a fragrant, citrusy punch if you want to take it up a notch. The whole thing comes together in one skillet with a steamer basket — no fancy equipment, no complicated technique. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, roasted fish, or really anything that needs a fresh, clean vegetable alongside it. Clean ingredients, zero fuss, and genuinely delicious results every single time.
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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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