Steaming Asparagus: How Long In The Oven?

Steaming asparagus is a quick and easy way to cook this tasty spring vegetable. It is also a healthy cooking method, preserving the bright green colour and nutrients of the asparagus. To steam asparagus, you will need a steamer pan set, or a large saucepan with a steamer basket or small strainer. First, trim the dry ends off the asparagus and lightly peel thicker spears with a vegetable peeler. Then, place the spears in the steamer, sit this above boiling water and cook until tender. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the asparagus, but it should take around 3-5 minutes for thin spears and 4-10 minutes for thicker ones. Once cooked, serve the asparagus warm or cold with a variety of toppings, such as butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice or parmesan cheese.

Trimming asparagus spears

Step 1: Sort Your Asparagus

Before you start trimming, go through your asparagus bundle and remove any stalks that look shrivelled or dark, as these won't be suitable for cooking. Depending on your recipe, you may also want to sort the asparagus by size, separating any thick or skinny spears to ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Wash the Asparagus

Rinse all the spears in a colander under cool water. Shake off any excess water and then pat the asparagus dry with a paper towel or tea towel. Removing excess water will ensure that oil and seasoning can properly adhere to the vegetable.

Step 3: Trim the Asparagus

Now it's time to cut off the woody ends of the asparagus. Line up the asparagus stalks on a cutting board, with the ends facing the same direction. Using a large chef's knife, slice off about 1 to 2 inches from the ends of the stalks, cutting right above where the white part turns green. Thicker spears may require more trimming than thinner, more tender spears. You can discard the woody ends or save them for stock.

While some people prefer to snap the asparagus by hand to remove the woody parts, this method can result in unnecessary waste, as it doesn't provide a precise break point. However, if you do choose to snap the asparagus, make sure to do it where the green part of the stalk starts to fade to white.

With your asparagus nicely trimmed, you're now ready to cook it in your steam oven!

Steamer pan setup

To cook asparagus using a steamer pan setup, you will need a steamer pan set, which typically consists of two halves: a bottom half for boiling water and an upper half for steaming the asparagus.

First, fill the bottom half of the steamer pan with about 3 cups of water, or enough to reach a depth of about 1 inch (or 0.5 inches in some recipes). You can also add butter and salt to the water for extra flavour. Bring this to a boil.

While the water is heating up, prepare your asparagus spears. Trim the dry, woody ends off the asparagus. If the spears are thick, you may want to peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler.

Once the water is boiling, place the asparagus spears in the top half of the steamer pan set. Cover the pan and steam the asparagus until it is tender but still slightly firm. This should take around 3-5 minutes for thinner spears and 5-10 minutes for thicker ones.

Be careful not to overcook the asparagus, as this can negatively impact its texture and taste. It should be tender but still have a slight crunch when you test it with a fork.

If you don't have a steamer pan set, you can use a steamer basket inserted into a large pot or saucepan. Simply fill the pot with enough water to reach the bottom of the steamer basket, bring it to a boil, and then place the asparagus-filled basket into the pot to steam.

Avoiding overcooking

To avoid overcooking asparagus in a steam oven, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, it is important to trim the dry, woody ends off the asparagus spears. If the spears are thick, they may also need to be peeled lightly with a vegetable peeler.

Secondly, the cooking time will depend on the thickness of the asparagus. In general, asparagus should be steamed for 3-5 minutes for thinner spears and 5-10 minutes for thicker spears. It is ready when it is tender, but still crisp. To test this, pierce the asparagus with a knife; if it goes through easily, the asparagus is done.

To prevent overcooking, keep an eye on the asparagus during the steaming process. It is better to serve asparagus at room temperature than to overcook it by keeping it in the steamer for too long. If the rest of your meal is not yet ready, remove the asparagus from the steamer and cover it with foil to keep it warm.

Finally, if you are using a steam oven, ensure that it is not too crowded, as this can cause the asparagus to steam rather than roast and become soggy.

Topping ideas

Steamed asparagus is a versatile dish that can be topped with a variety of ingredients to enhance its flavour and texture. Here are some topping ideas to elevate your steamed asparagus:

Butter, Olive Oil, or Vinaigrette

Asparagus pairs well with butter, especially when melted. Drizzle it over the asparagus for a rich and indulgent touch. Alternatively, opt for a healthier choice like olive oil, which adds a subtle fruity flavour. If you're looking for something lighter and tangier, try vinaigrette dressing.

Lemon Juice

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a bright, acidic note to the asparagus. It helps to balance the dish and enhance the natural flavour of the vegetable.

Salt and Pepper

A liberal seasoning of salt and pepper is a simple yet effective way to elevate your asparagus. Kosher salt or regular salt will do, and freshly ground black pepper adds a bold, sharp bite.

Garlic

Garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a few ways. You can use garlic powder as a seasoning, or add slightly mashed fresh garlic to your butter or olive oil for a more intense flavour.

Cheese

Cheese lovers can enjoy grated Parmesan cheese on their steamed asparagus. It adds a salty, savoury note and a nice textural contrast to the dish.

Spices and Herbs

For added depth of flavour, try experimenting with spices and herbs. Red pepper flakes, onion powder, and dried thyme can be used to create a more complex profile.

Dips

Asparagus can be enjoyed as a snack with dips such as cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt. This allows for a variety of flavour combinations to suit your taste.

These topping ideas provide a range of options to suit different preferences and dietary needs. You can keep it simple with salt and pepper, go classic with butter and lemon, or get creative with dips and spices.

Asparagus serving suggestions

Asparagus is an incredibly versatile vegetable, pairing well with a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:

• Salads: Asparagus can be a delicious addition to a salad, especially when paired with other springtime ingredients like peas, radishes, and broad beans. Try a pea, asparagus, and burrata salad with mint salsa verde, or a Middle Eastern-style asparagus and broad bean fattoush.
• Pasta: Asparagus goes well with almost any pasta sauce, but some specific suggestions include a veggie pesto pasta with zucchini and asparagus, asparagus and lemon spaghetti with peas, and asparagus, chilli, and feta farfalle.
• Rice dishes: Try asparagus with a family-friendly risotto, or a hearty chicken and asparagus pie.
• Eggs: Asparagus and eggs are a classic combination. Try an asparagus and meatball orzo, or a crab and asparagus omelette.
• Fish and seafood: Asparagus pairs well with fish and seafood, especially salmon and tuna. Try honey garlic-glazed salmon with roasted asparagus, or garlic herb-marinated tuna steak. For something a little different, seared lemon butter scallops or crab cakes are also great options.
• Meat: Asparagus can be served with beef, chicken, or pork. For beef, try Bavette steak (broiled garlic flank steak) with asparagus and mashed potatoes or rice. Chicken options include BBQ baked chicken thighs, cast iron chicken breast with garlic butter, or chicken Katsu. For pork, how about ham and cheese asparagus, or crispy gnocchi with cavolo nero pesto, asparagus, and peas?
• Soup: A super-green vegetable soup with asparagus, spinach, and shallots is a tasty option.
• Dips: Asparagus can be enjoyed as a snack, dipped in melted butter, cream cheese dip, sour cream dip, or Greek yogurt dip.
• Other: For a simple side dish, serve asparagus with butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Asparagus can also be fried in a beer batter and served with Outback Ranch dressing, or wrapped in bacon or prosciutto.

Remember, when cooking asparagus, steaming is a great option as it's fast, easy, and doesn't require any butter or oil. Just trim the ends, place in a steamer basket, and steam for 3-5 minutes until tender.

Frequently asked questions