Steamed Asparagus is such a quick and easy way to enjoy fresh asparagus. This spring time vegetable has it’s own delicious unique flavor that is a great side to so many meals.
Life with kids is busy, especially around dinner time so I try to keep my meals healthy and simple with easy side dishes like this steamed asparagus.
Steamed Asparagus
Steaming vegetables usually calls for for a steaming basket but I find that I can get pretty similar results without having an extra kitchen gadget in my cupboard or having to wash another dish. All you need is a pan, lid, and little bit of water. For more vegetable side dishes, try Sauteed Zucchini and Squash, Broccoli Bacon Salad, or Roasted Green Beans.
How to Store Asparagus:
Unless you’re eating your asparagus within a day of purchasing, you need to store it properly to prolong its life. Here’s how:
- Trim about 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the bottom of the stems. (Just like you do with flowers.)
- Place in a container filled with about 1/2 inch of water so that all stems are submerged. (I like to keep the rubber band on to prevent them from falling all over.)
- Loosely cover the top of the stems with a plastic bag.
- Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and change/add water as needed.
How to trim asparagus:
Before cooking the asparagus, you’ll need to prep it after rinsing it off. No knife or cutting board required!
The bottom of each stem of asparagus has a tough woody portion that isn’t pleasant to eat. This needs to be removed.
Some people estimate how much to cut off the end by how it looks or just giving it an inch or two trim. This isn’t always accurate and can lead to wasting good portions of asparagus or leaving on some undesirable difficult to chew pieces.
The BEST way to trim asparagus is by snapping off the ends. Let me show you how it’s done:
- Hold the base of the asparagus between your thumb and index finger of one hand and place the other about 2-3 inches higher on the stem.
- Bend the asparagus until it snaps. Discard the tough end and repeat with remaining stems.
Hand this trimming step over to your kids! It gives the kids an entertaining activity as well as exposes them more to the vegetable. More hands on expose with a food increase a child’s curiosity and desire to try new foods.
How long does asparagus last?
In a bag kept in the fridge, asparagus only lasts for 3-4 days before its tips start to get mushy and limp.
When stored in a container of water in the fridge, they will last for 10-14 days.
Cooked asparagus should be stored in the fridge and eaten within 4 days.
How to know when Asparagus has gone bad:
The tips of asparagus start to deteriorate first. They will turn a dark brownish color, feel mushy when pinched, get limp and bendy, start to look slimy, and have an off putting smell.
How to Cook Asparagus
There are many delicious ways to cook asparagus. Asparagus can be roasted in the oven, cooked it on the grill, blanched, steamed, stir fried, or baked within other dishes like these Mini Quiches.
I’m often using the oven for baking things like Honey Wheat Rolls, Twice Baked Potatoes, or Cornflake Chicken so I prefer to prep my vegetables quickly on the stove top so that everything can be warm and ready at the same time. This steamed asparagus is a frequent side dish in our home.
You can steam asparagus in a covered pan or in a deep pot with a steamer basket.
How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove:
- In the bottom of a 10 inch pan, add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup water, enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Add the asparagus, cover, and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until it is crisp-tender (can be easily poke with a fork but is still a little firm).
- Drain off any remaining water.
- Add pats of butter and use tongs to place asparagus on top of it. Let it sit a minute to melt and then give the asparagus a toss. Sprinkle with salt, fresh cracked pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve immediately.
How to steam asparagus with a steamer basket:
- Add 1 cup of water to a deep pot and place the steam basket in the bottom.
- Cover with lid and bring to a boil. Add the asparagus, cover, and steam for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Safely remove steamer basket and place asparagus in a serving dish.
- Push the pats of butter between the spears and let them melt. Give spears a toss and season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
Why does asparagus make your pee smell?
During digestion, the asparagus’ sulfurous amino acids break down into chemical components that have a pungent smell. This odor can be produced as soon as 15 minutes after consuming asparagus.
About only 25% of people report having this side effect but the reality is that everyone produces smelly pee after eating asparagus. The reason 75% report no detection of odor is because they don’t have the gene that allows them to smell the compound… so count yourself lucky if you can’t smell it. And if you can, you’ve got a good sense of smell!
TOOLS USED TO STEAM ASPARAGUS:
LOOKING FOR MORE ASPARAGUS DISHES? CHECK OUT THESE:
- Honey Garlic Chicken & Asparagus
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Asparagus Ribbon Pizza
- 20 Minute Simple Salmon & Asparagus
- Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Steamed Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound Asparagus, rinsed and trimmed
- 1 tablespoon butter, sliced in half
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- In the bottom of a 10 inch pan, add about 1/2 to 3/4 cup water, enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Cover and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Add the asparagus, cover, and cook for about 2 minutes until it is crisp-tender (can be easily poked with a fork but is still a little firm).
- Drain off remaining water.
- Add pats of butter and use tongs to place asparagus on top of it. Let it sit a minute to melt and then give the asparagus a toss. Sprinkle with salt, fresh cracked pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve immediately.
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