Steamed Asparagus

Name: Steamed Asparagus With Lemon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 small bunch asparagus; 2 lemon wedges

Steamed asparagus is a tender, minimal-ingredient side dish finished with lemon, salt and pepper. It cooks in minutes and complements any protein.

🥗Vegetarian 🏷️Steamed 🏷️Asparagus 🏷️Vegetable 🏷️Side dish

Total

25 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$8–$13

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recette Magazine

Ingredients

1 small bunch asparagus
2 lemon wedges

2 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Pour ½ cup water into a Suvie pan and then set a Suvie roasting rack inside the pan. Arrange asparagus spears on top of the rack. Place pan in the top zone of Suvie, input settings and cook now.
2
Set Bottom Zone to None and Top Zone to Steam for 20 minutes.
3
Remove asparagus from Suvie and transfer to a serving platter. Season with salt and pepper to taste and a squeeze of lemon.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Snap asparagus at the natural breaking point (usually 1–2 inches from the base) to remove the woody lower stem without waste.
Don't overcrowd the steamer basket; arrange spears in a single layer for even cooking.
Asparagus is done when the tip bends slightly and the stalk is tender but still has a light crunch—oversteaming makes it mushy.
Dress immediately after steaming while warm so the lemon and seasoning absorb into the tender spears.

Substitutions

Lemon wedges → lime wedges or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar (lighter, more herbaceous flavor)
Fresh asparagus → frozen asparagus, thawed (slightly softer texture but acceptable)
Salt and pepper → garlic powder, Parmesan, or fresh herbs like dill or tarragon (adds depth)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate steamed asparagus in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or serve chilled.

Equipment

steamer basket or colander

Common Questions

How long does asparagus take to steam?

Most asparagus steams in 4–7 minutes depending on thickness. Thin spears cook faster; thicker ones may need up to 10 minutes. Test for tenderness with a fork.