This Steamed Asparagus recipe is easy to prepare and full of flavor. Lemon zest & olive oil top off this quick nutrient-dense side dish.
Your family will love this quick, nutrient-packed side dish. Yum! Lemon zest & a drizzle of olive oil finish the Steamed Asparagus, giving it a full-bodied flavor with minimal effort.
Steamed Asparagus is a favorite weeknight side dish. I’m reminded of when my boys were little. Owen (our picky eater) decided he could eat the “tree” but not the “trunk” of the asparagus. Although he’s now 15-years-old, this memory still makes me laugh.
Unlike my daughter, Rashele, I do not have weekly meals planned out. If I were to plan beforehand, it would definitely stop the last minute panic when dinner needs to be on the table. Although I have a few foods that are quick and easy to throw together, Steamed Asparagus is at the top of the list. Incidentally, my meal plan method is according to what type of meats are defrosting in the fridge. Vegetable and side dishes are based on that.
Steamed Asparagus is a nutrient-dense side dish. According to Dr. Axe, “Asparagus … is high in folic acid and is also a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and vitamin C, and thiamine. Extensive research into asparagus nutrition has resulted in this funny-looking vegetable being ranked among the top fruits and vegetables for its ability to reduce the effect of cell-damaging free radicals. Packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, asparagus has been used as a medicinal vegetable for 2,500 years. The list of asparagus nutritional benefits is long, for it helps your heart, digestion, bones and even cells.”(1)
Steamed Asparagus is quick and oh sooo tasty. Just rinse and snap off the fibrous ends, discarding the woody part into the compost pile (I like to feed them to the goats & chickens). Put the spears into boiling water. Parboil for 2 minutes. Parboiling is a process of cooking food in boiling water for a short time to retain the color and to help preserve nutrients. Drizzle pure olive oil on top, along with some balsamic vinegar or lemon zest with salt and pepper to your liking. If you tolerate cheese, Parmesan would be a nice topping. Wallah, your bright green, tasty vegetable is ready to serve.
What makes this Steamed Asparagus nutrient dense?
- Fresh asparagus (one of the few vegetables that does NOT have to be organic as it has a low pesticide residue)
- Authentic olive oil (healthy monounsaturated fats, large amounts of antioxidants, strong anti-inflammatory properties)
- Organic Lemon Zest (a spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and fiber)
- Sprinkling of Celtic or Himalayan sea salt (contains a variety of trace minerals and NO bleaching chemicals)
♥ Shelly
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Steamed Asparagus
This Steamed Asparagus recipe is quick, tasty and the perfect addition to any meaty meal, adding a rich green, eye appealing color to your dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Asparagus organic
- 2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp lemon zest or flavored balsamic vinegar egar
- sea salt
- black pepper fresh ground
Instructions
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Heat water on high in large skillet. Water should be 2 inches deep and lightly salted.
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Rinse the asparagus spears throughly. Break off the woody or white fibrous ends and discard.
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Leave whole if the spears will fit in the pan or cut on the diagonal into 2 inches sections.
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Parboil the spears for exactly 2 minutes. Drain off hot water.
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Toss with olive oil and lemon zest/balsamic vinegar and serve warm or at room temperature. Salt & pepper to taste.
Tools used to make this recipe (click photo or link to purchase):
Don’t forget to pin this Steamed Asparagus with Lemon Zest & Olive Oil {Easy} to your favorite Pinterest board for later!
References:
- Babcock, J. (2017, June 21). Asparagus Nutrition, Health Benefits, & Recipes. Retrieved November 22, 2017, from https://draxe.com/asparagus-nutrition/
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