Steamed Asparagus (with Basil Vinaigrette)

This Steamed Asparagus is boosted in flavor with Basil Vinaigrette, and this has the best flavors of spring and summer! Don’t miss my tip for using asparagus stems, and if you like asparagus and the idea of basil-flavored vinaigrette, you’ll to love this recipe.

PIN Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette to try it later!

Easy Steamed Asparagus is turned into a special side dish with the addition of flavorful Basil Vinaigrette! This has been one of my favorite ways to cook asparagus for years, so it’s my Friday Favorites pick this week! And asparagus is on sale in my grocery store, and when it gets less expensive I find myself cooking it over and over.

Basil Vinaigrette is a treat I look forward to every year for drizzling on tomatoes, vegetables, and grilled chicken or fish. And asparagus with basil vinaigrette also tastes amazing! This weekend I’ll be getting basil plants to go out on the patio, so it’s a perfect time to make this recipe. I hope you try it if you’re also a fan of asparagus and fresh basil!

What ingredients do you need?

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe with ingredient amounts.)

• asparagus
• salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
• Basil Vinaigrette

How else can you cook the asparagus for this recipe?

If you’re not into steaming the asparagus, you can serve Basil Vinaigrette over that’s Roasted or Grilled.

What is Basil Vinaigrette?

Basil Vinaigrette is vinaigrette dressing that’s bumped up in flavor with freshly chopped basil. You can also use purchased basil pesto to make the dressing, although I love the intense basil flavor of the dressing made with basil puree. See my recipe for Basil Vinaigrette for the simple instructions for making this spring and summer dressing!

More Sauces to serve Steamed Asparagus:

I love the basil vinaigrette used in this recipe, but asparagus would taste great with any of these other sauces or dressings:

• Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette
• Peanut Butter Tahini Sauce
• Green Goddess Salad Dressing
• Mustard-Herb Sauce
• Asian Soy-Sesame Dressing
• Roasted Red Pepper Aioli with Garlic
• Easy Gremolata
• Mediterranean Salad Dressing

How low in carbs is Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette?

This amazing way to serve barely-cooked asparagus drizzled with basil vinaigrette has only 4 net carbs per serving!

How to Make Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette:

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

1. Start water boiling or turn on steamer while you peel the bottom part of the asparagus and then cut asparagus into 2 inch pieces.
2. Steam until asparagus is barely cooked, about 5 minutes from the time the steam starts.
3. I used the stovetop steamer (affiliate link) I got from my stepmother Norma, but an electric steamer (affiliate link) would also work. 
4. When it’s barely tender, drain asparagus well.
5. Puree the fresh basil and mix with your favorite no-sugar vinaigrette dressing to make basil vinaigrette.
6. Arrange steamed asparagus on a plate, season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper, and drizzle over desired amount of basil vinaigrette.
7. That’s it! Serve steamed asparagus hot or room temperature, with more basil vinaigrette on the side to add at the table!

Make it a Low-Carb Meal:

The steamed asparagus that’s served with flavorful basil vinaigrette would taste great with these main dishes:

• Slow Roasted Salmon with Butter, Garlic, Capers, and Lemon
• Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs
• Almond and Parmesan Baked Fish
• Marinated Grilled Pork Sirloin Chops
• Greek Lamb Souvlaki

Want more amazing ways to cook asparagus?

Check out my big collection of Low-Carb and Keto Asparagus Recipes for so many fun ways to cook this favorite spring vegetable.

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Yield: 4 servings

Steamed Asparagus (with Basil Vinaigrette)

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Combine the best of spring and summer in this barely steamed Asparagus that's kicked up in flavor with Basil Vinaigrette!

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus
• salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup Basil Vinaigrette

Instructions

1. Start water boiling in your stovetop steamer or electric steamer (affiliate links).
2. Trim off the woody ends of the asparagus, and then lightly peel the lower part of each stalk with a vegetable peeler. This allows you to use more of the asparagus than if you just break off the pieces, and it helps the stems cook as quickly as the asparagus tips. (You may still have to trim off a few inches if the ends are very woody.)
3. After peeling, cut each spear into pieces about 2 inches long, cutting on the diagonal.
4. Steam asparagus until barely tender, being careful not to overcook. (I would start checking about 5 minutes after the steam starts; you may prefer a minute or two longer, depending on how crisp you like it.)
5. While asparagus steams, make Basil Vinaigrette.
6. To serve, drain asparagus well and arrange on plate.
7. Season the steamed asparagus with salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste, and drizzle Basil Vinaigrette over. Enjoy!

Notes

I recommend making the full recipe of Basil Vinaigrette because it's good on so many things.

I used Newman’s Own Classic Oil and Vinegar Dressing (affiliate link) for this recipe; be sure to use a dressing that’s Gluten-Free or Vegan if you’re following one of those diets.

You can make the basil vinaigrette with purchased basil pesto if you don’t have fresh basil.

This recipe created by Kalyn.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 45Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 234mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

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Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette is a perfect side dish for low-carb and Keto eating plans. It’s also great for any phase of the Original South Beach Diet.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Side Dishes to find more ideas like this one. Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

Blogger Info:
This recipe for Steamed Asparagus served with basil vinaigrette was first posted for an asparagus event hosted by blogger Kevin Weeks. Kevin passed away in 2012, and is greatly missed in the food blogging community. The recipe was last updated with more information in 2026.