How to Steam Asparagus
on Feb 28, 2024, Updated Jun 27, 2024
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Get perfect, bright green, tender asparagus in a matter of minutes!
Besides roasting or grilling, steaming asparagus is one of the best ways to cook this beloved spring vegetable, and it takes just minutes. This easy cooking method results in spears that are as crisp or tender as you like, with a beautiful bright green color locked in. Luckily for asparagus lovers, there are a couple of easy ways to steam asparagus, which I list below. (Technically, the second method is not considered steaming since the asparagus is cooked in the water — but the results are the same.)
Steamed asparagus is one of those classic, ever-relevant sides that works well alongside just about anything. For a really delicious, traditional American meal, pair steamed asparagus with Mashed Potatoes and a cut of steak, like pan-seared Rib-eye or grilled Sirloin. It pairs just as well with non-red-meat options, like Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Vegetables or Tofu with Peanut Sauce.
Table of Contents
Steamed asparagus is also perfect to add to salads, like this Vegetarian Spring Orzo Salad or a Farro and Vegetable Salad. Or, give it a sauce! Try a drizzle of Chermoula sauce or Horseradish Sauce.
How to Steam Asparagus: Get perfect, bright green, tender asparagus in a matter of minutes! Crisp, crisp-tender, tender-however you like it!
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What Is Steaming?
Steaming is cooking food through moist heat. When water becomes hot, simmering, or boiling, it vaporizes, which causes steam. The difference between steaming and boiling depends on whether or not the food is immersed in the water. If the food remains suspended above the water, then it is being steamed.
How to Steam Asparagus
- Prep asparagus: Trim the bases from the asparagus. If the asparagus is large and/or the skin seems thick, peel the bottom few inches of skin from the stalk. Prepare a large bowl of ice water if you are going to chill the asparagus after cooking.
- Set up steamer: If you have a pot with a steamer basket insert, you are all set. But if you don’t, and you have a steamer basket of any sort, find a pot large enough to hold the basket and proceed with your homemade steamer.
- Boil water: Simply fill the pot with an inch or two of water, fit the steaming basket on top, and bring it to a boil.
- Add asparagus: Place the asparagus in the basket no more than a few layers deep, cover the pot, and steam for the desired length of time (see below for a cooking time chart).
- Remove and serve: When the asparagus is cooked to your liking, remove it from the basket. Either serve warm or cool in an ice bath (see below).
Steaming Asparagus Without a Steamer
This is actually a more convenient way of lightly cooking asparagus than steaming.
- Prep asparagus: Trim the bases from the asparagus. If the asparagus is large and/or the skin seems thick, peel the bottom few inches of skin from the stalk. Prepare a large bowl of ice water if you are going to chill the asparagus after cooking.
- Heat water: Heat an inch or so of salted water in a large pot that’s big enough for the asparagus to lie flat. If your pot isn’t large enough to fit the asparagus in a horizontal layer, that’s okay as long as there is enough room for the asparagus to fit into the pot with the lid tightly placed on top.
- Cook the asparagus: Once the water has come to a boil, place the asparagus in the pot and cover. It should be no more than two layers deep. Return the water to a simmer.
- Drain and serve: When the asparagus is cooked to your liking (see below for cooking times), drain the asparagus. Either serve warm or cool in an ice bath (see below). Think about finishing these with a drizzle of lemon butter.
How to Cool Asparagus in an Ice Bath
Whichever way you choose to steam your asparagus, if you are planning to serve them cold or at room temperature, you will want to stop the cooking as soon as they’re ready so that they don’t lose their color or get too soft.
This is done by draining the asparagus and plunging it into a bowl of ice water or an ice bath. It’s also called “shocking” the asparagus. The immediate dunk in ice-cold water stops the cooking process and locks in the vibrant green color.
You can leave the asparagus in the ice bath for a minute or so if you are planning to serve it at room temperature. If you want to serve them cold, you can also leave the stalks in there for several minutes to become totally chilled.
You can also place the asparagus in a colander and run cold water over the spears to stop the cooking, but that uses up a lot of water.
Hot Steamed Asparagus
If you are planning to serve your asparagus warm, skip the ice bath. They will keep cooking once you drain them or remove them from the heat. In this case, you want to cook them for a shorter amount of time, as indicated in the chart below. Plan to take them out when they are a bit more crisp than you would like; they will soften as they finish cooking in their own heat.
How Long to Steam Asparagus
These are approximate cooking times. Again, note that the asparagus will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat, so plan accordingly.
When you poke the spears with the tip of a sharp knife, you should feel barely any resistance. The color should be bright green.
| Asparagus Size | Approx. Diameter | Steaming Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thin spears | ¼-inch diameter | 2 to 4 minutes |
| Medium spears | ½-inch diameter | 4 to 6 minutes |
| Large spears | ¾-inch diameter | 6 to 8 minutes |
| Jumbo Spears | 1-inch diameter | 8 to 10 minutes |
FAQs
You can steam, grill, or roast asparagus. All these methods have their own respective benefits. Steaming is easiest; grilling is great if you like a good char or if you are cooking a bunch of veggies at once. Roasting really brings out the natural flavor of the asparagus while also elevating the taste by adding a little fat and a more exciting texture.
No, you don’t need to soak your asparagus, but it’s good practice to rinse it before cooking.
Storage
Before you cook it, asparagus can last up to 1 week in the fridge. After cooking, make sure to seal your steamed spears in an airtight container. They should last up to 5 days in the fridge.
What to Serve With Steamed Asparagus
More Steamed Asparagus Recipes
- Asparagus with Herb Dipping Sauce
- Spring Cobb Salad
- Spring Vegetable Salad
- Spring Vegetable and Rice Salad
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How to Steam Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds asparagus
- Water (as needed)
Instructions
- Trim the bases from the asparagus. If the asparagus is large and/or the skin seems thick, peel the bottom few inches of skin from the stalk. Prepare a large bowl of ice water if you are going to chill the asparagus after cooking.
Method 1:
- Place an inch of salted water in a large pot, big enough for the asparagus to lie flat in. If your pot isn’t large enough to fit the asparagus in a horizontal layer, that’s ok, as long as there is enough room for the asparagus to fit into the pot with the lid tightly placed on top.
- Once the water has come to a boil, place the asparagus in the pot no more than a few layers deep and cover the pot. Return the water to a simmer. When the asparagus is cooked to your liking (see chart above), drain the asparagus.
- Either serve the asparagus warm or cool in a bowl of ice water if you plan to serve the asparagus cold.
Method 2:
- Fill a pot with a steamer basket insert and a lid with an inch or two of water. Fit the steamer basket on top, and bring the water to a boil.
- Place the asparagus in the basket no more than a few layers deep, cover the pot tightly, and steam for the desired length of time. When the asparagus is cooked to your liking (see chart above), drain the asparagus and either serve warm or cool in a bowl of ice water if you plan to serve the asparagus cold.
