Vegetarian Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Bright, grassy asparagus and a squeeze of fresh lemon are one of those combinations that just make sense, and this simple preparation lets both shine without any fuss. The spears are steamed until they hit that perfect sweet spot — vivid green, just tender, with a little bite still left in them. A drizzle of good extra-virgin olive oil and a hit of lemon juice bring everything together, and the optional zest adds a fragrant citrus punch that takes the whole dish up a notch. It's the kind of side that looks effortlessly elegant on a platter but comes together in under ten minutes with barely any cleanup. No butter, no cheese, no animal products of any kind — just clean, produce-forward ingredients that happen to be naturally plant-based. Serve it alongside pasta, grain bowls, or a frittata for a complete spread that feels fresh and seasonal no matter the occasion.
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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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