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    Meals » Recipes » Side Dishes

    How to Microwave Asparagus (Easy Recipe)

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Mar 22, 2023 by Dee

    Learn How to Microwave Asparagus in just 3 minutes with this easy recipe. Steamed asparagus with lemon and Parmesan is a quick, healthy side dish perfect for spring. It pairs beautifully with your favorite main dish and tastes absolutely delicious. via @meamel

    Learn How to Microwave Asparagus in just 3 minutes with this easy recipe. Steamed asparagus is a quick, healthy side dish perfect for spring. It pairs beautifully with your favorite main dish and tastes absolutely delicious.

    Jump to Recipe -
    microwave asparagus with Parmesan cheese and lemon on platter
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Cook Asparagus in the Microwave
    • How Long to Steam Fresh Asparagus in Microwave
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQ
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    We have been cooking asparagus in the microwave oven for ages. It's the best way to cook fresh asparagus for a simple side dish and our favorite way to cook many fresh vegetables.

    Microwaved asparagus is a super easy side dish and takes just a few minutes to make. Even though I love making Sautéed Asparagus with Bacon and Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus for Easter and other special occasions, the microwave cooking method is the easiest way to get tender asparagus in minutes.

    Some of our other favorite microwave recipes are Baked Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, Green Beans, Carrots, ramen noodles and Cauliflower.

    Ingredients

    There are just a few simple ingredients in this easy recipe. Find them in your grocery store or farmers market.

    • Fresh asparagus
    • Butter -- for extra flavor
    • Seasonings -- sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder
    • Water -- to help steam asparagus in the microwave

    How to Cook Asparagus in the Microwave

    I used one bunch of asparagus for this microwave asparagus recipe, but the same method applies for 2 or more bunches. I usually make 2 bunches at once for the whole family. Tip -- Choose medium to thin stalks for even cooking!

    First, rinse the asparagus under cold running water. No need to pat it dry. The excess water droplets will help build up steam as the asparagus steams in the microwave.

    Next, trim the asparagus to remove the woody ends. You can hold each end in your hands and bend the stalks until they break. Or, cut about 1 ½ to 2 inches off at the bottom. No need to have them perfectly even unless you want to.

    bend asparagus in 2 hands

    I usually bend the asparagus to get an idea of where they should be cut. Sometimes, it looks like too much will get cut off, so I'll leave a little more of the stem on.

    Then, place asparagus into a microwave-safe baking dish or microwave-safe bowl. They don't have to be in a single layer, but you may have to toss asparagus during the cooking process if you do have a double layer.

    Add a tablespoon of butter and toss in a pinch of sea salt, garlic powder and pepper.

    I add 1 teaspoon of cold water, but you don't have to add extra liquid if you don't want to.

    raw asparagus with butter in glass baking dish

    Place the dish in the microwave, and cover, making sure to allow some steam to escape during the cooking process.

    I use a plastic microwave cover for this, but you can use a paper towel, damp paper towels, microwave-safe dish or plastic wrap.

    asparagus in microwave with cover

    How Long to Steam Fresh Asparagus in Microwave

    Steam 1 bunch of asparagus in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes on high power. 3 minutes will give you tender crisp asparagus. Cooking it for 4 minutes will make it even more tender.

    I usually cook 2 bunches of asparagus for 4 to 5 minutes. The perfect cook time will vary with your microwave wattage.

    Keep in mind that food continues to cook after microwaving, so don't cook it for too long. It's better to try a shorter cook time and add another minute if you want!

    steamed asparagus in glass baking dish

    For extra flavor, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the cooked asparagus. This part is completely optional, but so good!

    How to Store and Reheat

    Store leftover asparagus in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. It doesn't take long to reheat -- maybe 30 seconds in the microwave is all you need.

    microwave asparagus on a white platter with lemon slices and parmesan cheese

    Expert Tips

    Choose medium to thin asparagus stalks for even cooking and best flavor. Thick asparagus spears are more fibrous and harder to chew.

    Always use a microwave-safe dish for microwave cooking.

    Cook asparagus for the shortest recommended cooking time. You can always add a few seconds to the cooking time if needed.

    Recipe FAQ

    Is it safe to cook vegetables in the microwave?

    Yes, it's perfectly safe to microwave vegetables. They retain more nutrients this way because the cooking time is so short.

    What's the best seasoning for microwave asparagus?

    Keep the seasonings simple and light with a little salt and pepper and garlic powder. Or, jazz up plain asparagus with butter, a squeeze of fresh lemon and grated Parmesan cheese for amazing flavor!

    Recipe

    microwave asparagus on white platter with lemon slices and parmesan cheese

    How to Microwave Asparagus

    Published by Dee
    Learn How to Microwave Asparagus in just 3 minutes with this easy recipe. Steamed asparagus is a quick, healthy side dish perfect for spring. It pairs beautifully with your favorite main dish and tastes absolutely delicious.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 3 mins
    Total Time 8 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 48 kcal

    Equipment

    • microwave

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 bunch fresh asparagus
    • 1 teaspoon cold water
    • 1 tablespoon butter optional
    • pinch sea salt, pepper, garlic powder optional

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse asparagus under cold water, and trim off ends
    • Place in microwave safe dish. Optional -- add 1 teaspoon water, 1 tablespoon butter and pinch of sea salt, garlic powder and pepper
    • Place dish in microwave, cover, making sure to vent for steam. Cook for 3 minutes for tender crisp and 4 minutes for softer texture

    Notes

    For 2 bunches of asparagus cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
    All microwave ovens are different. Perfect texture and cook time varies with wattage, power, make and model.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 48kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 27mgPotassium: 228mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 938IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    I hope you enjoy this easy asparagus recipe as much as we do. Microwaved asparagus is a family favorite around here!

    If you do try this delicious side dish, please leave a star rating and/or comment.

    For the latest recipes and easy recipes anyone can make, be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow on social media.

    This easy asparagus recipe was first published in 2021 and updated in 2023.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jim says

      April 27, 2021 at 12:58 pm

      Made these last night and they were awesome and so easy really. Everybody needs something easy to make that taste great these days.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Cathy says

      April 26, 2021 at 4:42 am

      Love this quick and easy method!

      Reply
    3. Catalina says

      April 23, 2021 at 10:12 am

      I've never tried to make asparagus in the microwave until now. It was so easy !5 stars

      Reply
    4. Erin Dooner says

      April 22, 2021 at 9:44 pm

      I also didn't know this was possible! Definitely going to try it.

      Reply
    5. Amanda Livesay says

      April 22, 2021 at 4:33 am

      I had no idea you could steam asparagus in the microwave! This is our new favorite way to make it.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 22, 2021 at 11:15 am

        Thanks, Amanda. It's so quick and easy this way!

    6. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      April 22, 2021 at 3:25 am

      I'm just loving this Microwave Asparagus.5 stars

      Reply
    7. Allyson Zea says

      April 21, 2021 at 10:31 am

      Wow I never knew you could microwave asparagus! Thanks for the tips!5 stars

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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