Turkey 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 whole meal feel more intentional. Fresh spears are steamed just until tender and vibrantly green, then hit with lemon juice and a pinch of sea salt for a clean, zesty finish. The optional lemon zest takes it one step further, adding a fragrant citrus punch that really wakes everything up. There's no meat, no poultry, no hidden proteins to worry about — just honest vegetables and pantry staples that come together in minutes. It pairs beautifully with fish, pasta, grain bowls, or really anything you're already making for dinner. The steaming method keeps the asparagus from going limp or waterlogged, so every spear has that satisfying snap and bright color that makes this dish as pretty on the plate as it is easy to pull off.
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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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