Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette
Combine the best of spring and summer in this recipe for barely-steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette, and don’t miss my trick for using more of the asparagus stems!
PIN Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette to try it later!
Fresh asparagus has been on sale in my favorite grocery stores, and when asparagus starts to get less expensive I find myself wanting to eat it over and over. I’ve already shared my picks for Favorite Low-Carb and Keto Asparagus Recipes, but while it’s asparagus season I’m going to remind you of a few more asparagus favorites back in the archives that you may have missed. And this Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette has been one of my favorites for years! A few weeks ago I got my first basil plants of the season to go in the kitchen window, so it’s a perfect time to make this.
Basil Vinaigrette is a spring and summer treat I look forward to every year for drizzling on tomatoes, vegetables, and grilled chicken or fish, and asparagus with basil vinaigrette tastes just as amazing! If you don’t have fresh basil you can use purchased basil pesto to make the dressing, although I love the intense basil flavor of the dressing made with basil puree.
And you may want to make extra basil vinaigrette because it’s good on so many things! Check out Basil Vinaigrette for lots more ideas using my absolute favorite summer condiment. And get to the grocery store and get a few basil plants if you don’t have any yet!
How to Make Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette:
(Scroll down for complete recipe with nutritional information.)
- Start water boiling or turn on steamer while you peel the bottom part of the asparagus and then cut asparagus into 2 inch pieces.
- Steam until the asparagus is barely cooked, probably about 5 minutes from the time the steam starts. I used a stovetop steamer (affiliate link) I got from my stepmother Norma, but an electric steamer (affiliate link) would also work.
- Drain asparagus well.
- Puree the fresh basil and mix with your favorite no-sugar vinaigrette dressing to make the basil vinaigrette.
- Arrange asparagus on a plate, season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper, and drizzle over desired amount of basil vinaigrette.
- That’s it! Serve hot or room temperature, with a little more basil vinaigrette on the side to spoon over at the table. Enjoy!
More Asparagus Recipes You Might Like:
Breakfast Casserole with Asparagus, Mushrooms, and Goat Cheese ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen
Cheesy Asparagus Tart ~ Ezra Pound Cake
Baked Eggs and Asparagus with Parmesan ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen
Asparagus Salad with Sesame Chile and Lime Dressing ~ The First Mess
Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Hearts of Palm ~ Kalyn’s Kitchen
Combine the best of spring and summer in this barely steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette! I recommend making the full recipe of Basil Vinaigrette because it's good on so many things. I used Newman’s Own Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing (affiliate link) for this recipe; be sure to use a dressing that’s Paleo, 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 any fresh basil, but that version will not be Paleo or Vegan. This recipe created by Kalyn. 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.
Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
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
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
This is a perfect side dish for low-carb and low-glycemic eating plans and any phase of the South Beach Diet and with the right ingredient choices this Barely Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette can easily be vegan and Paleo.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Side Dishes to find more ideas like this one. Use the Diet Type photo index pages to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to Follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Blogger Info:
This recipe was first posted as part of a month-long asparagus event hosted by blogger Kevin Weeks, whose blog is no longer online. Kevin passed away in 2012, and is greatly missed in the food blogging community.
13 Comments on “Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette”
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Love the healthy options you share.
Thanks Robin; glad you like it!
What a wonderful green combination! I love simple treatments for asparagus.
Thanks Lydia; I love this recipe!
Certainly one of the sad parts of asparagus only being around for such a short time is that you can't pair it with many summer veggies…but love how you've dressed it in this basil vinaigrette! Two of my favorite things in every bite.
Thanks Joanne! I could eat that Basil Vinaigrette on almost anything.
I love asparagus and what a great combo when tossed with basil.
Thanks for sharing and have a great trip.
Ilva, tfp, nerissa, and Christine, do try making this. It was so delicious. Thanks for visiting.
The asparagus in my fridge is just begging to be made into this tantalizing recipe. Thanks for sharing it!
It looks so good. And who cares if it makes your pee smell funny. The taste of it is imcomparable.
That looks delicious. I love asparagus.
This sounds really good kalyn, I’m bookmarking it!