Xanthan Gum Free Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Fresh asparagus deserves a preparation that lets it shine, and this steamed version does exactly that. A quick steam over boiling water keeps the spears vivid green and perfectly tender without turning them mushy, while a drizzle of good olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice add brightness that feels almost effortlessly elegant. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of thickeners and stabilizers — no hidden additives to worry about, just whole, clean food on your plate. The optional lemon zest takes the citrus note up a notch and is absolutely worth the extra thirty seconds if you have a zester handy. It comes together in under ten minutes and works beautifully as a side for almost any main course, from a simple weeknight dinner to a more dressed-up spread. Clean, vibrant, and genuinely delicious.
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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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