Spice Free Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Fresh asparagus has a natural sweetness and grassy brightness that really shines when you keep the seasoning simple, and this steamed preparation lets every bit of that flavor come through. The spears are cooked just until tender and vivid green, then finished with a drizzle of good olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt — nothing more, nothing less. For anyone avoiding spices, this kind of dish is a genuine find, because so many vegetable sides sneak in garlic powder, pepper blends, or seasoning mixes that can cause real problems. Here, every ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify, so you can cook and eat with total confidence. The optional lemon zest adds a fragrant, citrusy lift that makes the whole platter feel a little more special without introducing anything complicated. It comes together in minutes and works beautifully as a side for almost any main course you have going.
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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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