Microwave Asparagus

If you’ve ever tried to Microwave Asparagus and weren’t happy with the results, try this recipe—zesty, garlicky, and deliciously easy!

Fresh roasted asparagus spears drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, on a white plate. A nutritious, healthy vegetable side dish perfect for balanced eating and fitness-focused meals.

Sometimes, you just want a quick and healthy side dish on the dinner table. That’s what I like about this microwave asparagus recipe. In only ten minutes, you’ll get a steaming platter of lemony, garlicky deliciousness. I love how quickly asparagus steams in the microwave—it cooks to the perfect consistency. Just add some olive oil, lemon, and a sprinkle of savory seasonings, and you’re set.

Although I say in the recipe card that the prep time takes five minutes, that’s more of an estimate. Once you get the hang of trimming asparagus, you’ll likely finish much quicker. I find that snapping the ends of an entire bunch takes me less than two minutes these days. It’s much quicker than cutting, and because the ends snap off at the perfect point, I don’t have to worry about wasting any of the good part of the spears.

One of the nice things about microwaving asparagus is that you don’t have to pat them dry after rinsing. After all, the asparagus steams in the microwave, so that bit of water may actually help! However, on the stovetop, leftover moisture can mess with the cooking process. And when you add oil to the mix, wet asparagus can cause oil to splatter. Expect a mess—and maybe some splatter-induced burns—I’m speaking from experience!

If your microwave bowl is too small for some of the longer spears, go ahead and cut or snap them in half so that they all fit flat in the bowl. Similarly, you want to make sure all your asparagus have a similar thickness. Thinner spears will need less time in the microwave, while thicker ones might require an extra minute or two.

Also, if you plan to double the amount, cook them in batches. The spears shouldn’t lie on top of one another or crowd the dish. Follow these tips, and you’ll see why this has become my go-to method for weeknight veggies!

Fresh asparagus on a white platter with lemon, salt, and pepper shakers, ready for healthy meal preparation.

Why I love asparagus

It wasn’t always this way. I can easily remember back to a time when I’d turn my nose up at the thought of asparagus. You could steam, sauté, fry, bake, broil, grill, or microwave asparagus, and I still wouldn’t touch them. Because of my dislike, I didn’t serve asparagus to my own children when they were young.

Today, all that has changed. I love that asparagus is such a versatile vegetable. While I may not enjoy the smell while they cook, when properly seasoned or added to a stir-fry, the flavors are amazing. I even like them slightly steamed and chilled and added to a vegetable platter with various dips. And, while it’s polite in public to cut them with a fork and knife, at home I pick them up with my fingers and munch on them from tip to end. Because I think you’ll agree that asparagus is a fun vegetable to eat!

Fresh roasted asparagus spears drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, on a white plate. Perfect for a healthy, low-calorie meal or side dish.

How do I store leftovers?

Allow the asparagus to cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. If you’ve steamed the asparagus in a glass dish with a lid, you can also refrigerate them in that. Reheating is easy. Place the asparagus in a covered dish and microwave for about 30 seconds.

Fresh roasted asparagus spears on a white plate, healthy vegetable side dish for a nutritious meal.

Serving suggestions

I have two schools of thought for how to serve microwave asparagus. The first is to make them part of a complete, healthy meal, with entrées such as Pan-Seared Salmon, a spicy Cajun Chicken, or even a Grilled Cod. But I also like to add asparagus to a not-so-healthy meal. That way, I feel like I’m still doing something good for my body. For example, when those pizza cravings hit, I make Gluten-Free Pizza Dough and top it with plenty of sauce, cheese, and asparagus. Or, I serve them when I transform a healthy chicken breast into the most amazing Keto Crack Chicken. And, of course, I want a wholesome vegetable side dish when I know that this Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe is waiting. So, there you have it. Any time is a good time to make asparagus.