Steamed Asparagus with Orange Butter Sauce

Elevate your side dish game with this vibrant and elegant recipe for Steamed Asparagus with Orange Butter Sauce. Crisp, tender asparagus is delicately steamed to perfection, then cooled in an ice bath to lock in its vibrant green hue and fresh texture. The star of the dish is a luxurious orange butter sauce, made by blending freshly squeezed orange juice, a hint of zest, and creamy, melted butter for a balance of tangy sweetness and velvety richness. Finished with a sprinkle of parsley for a pop of color and flavor, this quick and easy asparagus recipe is perfect for special occasions, holiday meals, or a refreshing weeknight dinner. Ready in just 20 minutes, this vibrant vegetable side is as visually stunning as it is delicious—a perfect pairing for roasted meats, seafood, or vegetarian entrées.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.33 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups ice cubes
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Wash the asparagus thoroughly and trim the woody ends by snapping them off where they naturally break.

Step 2

Prepare a steaming setup by filling a pot with 1 cup of water. Place a steamer basket or insert in the pot, ensuring it stays above the water level.

Step 3

Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, add the asparagus to the steamer basket.

Step 4

Cover the pot with a lid and steam the asparagus for 4-5 minutes, or until bright green and tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking to preserve the texture.

Step 5

While the asparagus steams, prepare the ice bath by filling a large bowl with 2 cups of ice and water. Once the asparagus is done steaming, immediately transfer it to the ice bath to stop the cooking process, ensuring vibrant color and crisp texture.

Step 6

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the orange juice, orange zest, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken and meld the flavors.

Step 7

Remove the asparagus from the ice bath and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Arrange the asparagus on a serving platter.

Step 8

Drizzle the orange butter sauce over the asparagus evenly. Optionally, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and presentation.

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy this flavorful, refreshing side dish!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1318.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	542.0

Total Fat 48.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 124mg	0%
Sodium 614.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 27.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.4g	0%
Total Sugars 15.3g
Protein 11.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 149.3mg	0%
Iron 10.0mg	0%
Potassium 1097.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 74.2%

Protein: 7.6%

Carbs: 18.2%