Microwaved Asparagus Recipe

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings

Whether you're pressed for time or it's too hot to turn on the oven or stove (or both are occupied with other dishes), using the microwave is a quick and easy solution for cooking asparagus. A bit of onion and garlic powder, lemon juice, and butter enhance the natural flavor of asparagus and make for a delicious side dish. Serve alongside roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or your favorite pasta.

Microwave asparagus recipe

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, rinsed

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for asparagus
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  2. Trim the tough root ends from the asparagus spears, then cut them into 2-inch lengths. Place in a microwave-safe bowl with a lid.

    Trimmed asparagus
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  3. Sprinkle the asparagus with the kosher salt, onion powder, and garlic powder.

    Salted asparagus
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  4. Pour in the lemon juice and dot with the butter.

    Pour on lemon
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  5. Cover with a lid and microwave on high power for 2 to 3 minutes.

    Put in bowl
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  6. Stir to distribute seasonings.

    Mix
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  7. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes until the asparagus is tender. Stir once more before serving.

  8. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Microwaving asparagus works best with thin to medium-sized spears; thicker stalks will take longer to cook and may cook unevenly.
  • Check the tenderness of the asparagus after the first 2 to 3 minutes since microwaves can cook at different rates.
  • After rinsing the asparagus, leave any water that clings to the spears; this will help them steam.

Asparagus Nutrition

Asparagus is a delicious and nutritious vegetable. It's a great source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E, and K, and is full of antioxidants. This spring vegetable should be a part of any healthy diet.

Ways to Serve

This seasoned microwaved asparagus can be served hot, room temperature, or cold. In addition to a side dish, the seasoned microwaved asparagus can be part of a variety of recipes. Use in an asparagus pie, risotto, a cold pasta salad, or stir-fry. The microwaved asparagus can also be a pizza topping, added to vegetable lasagna, as part of a veggie wrap, or the star of a vegetable salad.

Recipe Variations

  • Fresh herbs pair beautifully with asparagus; once finished cooking, add some minced dill, chives, tarragon, or parsley and toss.
  • Add about a teaspoon of lemon zest along with the other seasonings for a boost of lemon flavor.
  • Top the cooked asparagus with a chopped hard-boiled egg.
  • Sprinkle some toasted breadcrumbs over the finished asparagus.
  • Once cooked, mix in a tablespoon or so of grated Parmesan cheese or feta cheese.
  • Add some crispy pancetta to the finished dish.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
53 Calories
3g Fat
5g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 53
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 355mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 9mg 47%
Calcium 29mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 267mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)