Steamed Asparagus

This Steamed Asparagus is so delicious, yet so simple. It's cooked with rich plant-based butter and garlic for a scrumptious flavor.

This Steamed Asparagus is a versatile, easy, and flavorful dish that works with almost any main course or side. Fresh asparagus stalks are steamed in salted water, butter, and seasoned with garlic powder for a super delicious dish that can be put together in just 10 minutes.

This is an easy recipe to make variations to, so you can work with the ingredients you have on hand and what you want to serve it with. Since it's so easy, you can whip it up even on busy weeknight evenings. And since it's healthy and packed with vitamins and minerals, you can feel great about serving it to your family. Let's take a look at the 4 ingredients needed for this Steamed Asparagus recipe.

Video Tutorial

What you'll need

• Asparagus. Fresh stalks.
• Plant-based Butter. Use your favorite brand.
• Garlic Powder. For flavor.
• Salt. To salt the steaming water.

How to make it

1. Into a large skillet, add water and salt, then stir. Put the asparagus in the water and cover the pan with a lid. Cook over medium heat until the water has evaporated.

2. Once the water has evaporated, turn the heat off and add the plant-based butter. Cover the pan with the lid again and wait for a minute, letting the butter melt.

3. Lastly, sprinkle the garlic powder on top. Then gently move the asparagus around in the pan to spread the garlic powder evenly across the stalks. Serve.

Tips for the best Steamed Asparagus

• Use good quality asparagus. Choose asparagus stalks that are plump and firm. Avoid ones that look faded. The tips should look like they are tightly closed.
• Salt the water in the pan. By adding salt to the water, the asparagus stalks will absorb the flavor as the water steams and evaporates. If you add it later, less flavor would be infused into the asparagus.
• Trim the ends off the asparagus. The ends of the stalks are quite fibrous and tough. Trim them off before putting them in the pan to cook. You can cut them or just bend and snap off the ends.
• Put a lid on the pan. This is a must-do for this recipe. The lid traps the heat and water to steam the asparagus. Doing this melts the butter and softens and cooks the stalks to tenderness.

Add-ins and Substitutes

• Substitute different seasonings. Besides garlic powder, you can also prepare this Steamed Asparagus with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, paprika, or Cajun seasoning.
• Use extra garlic. If you love the taste of garlicky vegetables, then add some minced garlic to this dish at the same time as you add the butter.
• Add other vegetables. Try making this recipe with other vegetables, such as onion, zucchini, broccoli florets, mushrooms, and brussels sprouts. They all make tasty additions.
• Substitute the butter. If you haven't got any plant-based butter on hand, you can also use olive oil or avocado oil in its place.

How to Store

Store any leftover Steamed Asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When you're ready to reheat it, just warm the asparagus in the microwave for a few minutes. You can also place it back on the stove in a pan to heat.

What to Serve with it

• Proteins. Make this a side dish to protein-packed dishes like Quick Maple Sriracha Tofu, Vegan Black Bean Burgers, or Black Bean Tacos.
• Grains/Beans. Serve this Steamed Asparagus alongside grains and beans, such as Mushroom Rice, Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad, Vegan Rice and Beans, or Quick & Easy Chipotle Pinto Beans.
• Pastas. Pair it with your favorite pasta, including Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Spinach, Creamy Lemon Spaghetti, or Mushroom Bolognese Pasta.
• Soup. Enjoy this vegetable along with a bowl of Vegan Potato Soup, Red Lentil Soup, Spinach Orzo Soup, or Cabbage Soup.

I hope you love this recipe for Steamed Asparagus as much as we do. It's a quick and easy recipe that you can make simple variations to when you need to. And with such delicious buttery, garlicky flavor, it's always a favorite in my house. Enjoy!

More tasty vegan recipes:

• Cauliflower Steaks with Chermoula Sauce
• Roasted Curried Cauliflower
• Oven Roasted Zucchini Recipe
• Simple Roasted Broccoli