Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette

Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette can combine the best flavors of spring and summer, and don’t miss my tip for using asparagus stems! And if you like asparagus and the idea of basil-flavored vinaigrette, you’re going to love this recipe.

PIN Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette to try it later!

Steamed Asparagus with Basil Vinaigrette has been one of my favorite ways to cook asparagus for years, and I’m recommending it as my Friday Favorites pick this week! And asparagus has been on sale in my favorite grocery store, and when it starts to get less expensive I find myself wanting it to eat it over and over.

The steamed asparagus in this recipe is kicked up with my favorite Basil Vinaigrette that’s a 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! This weekend I’ll be getting my first basil plants of the season to go out on the patio, so it’s a perfect time to make this. And you may want to make extra basil vinaigrette because it’s good on so many things!

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

Can you cook the asparagus in other ways for this recipe?

If you’re not into steaming the asparagus, you can definitely serve this Basil Vinaigrette over Roasted Asparagus or Grilled Asparagus.

What is Basil Vinaigrette?

Basil Vinaigrette is a vinaigrette dressing that’s bumped up in flavor by the addition of fresh chopped basil. 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 the version with pesto won’t be dairy-free. See my recipe for Basil Vinaigrette for the simple instructions for making this spring and summer dressing!

How low in carbs is the 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 the asparagus is barely cooked, about 5 minutes from the time the steam starts with my pan. I used a stovetop steamer (affiliate link) I got from my stepmother Norma, but an electric steamer (affiliate link) would also work. 
3. Drain asparagus well.
4. Puree the fresh basil and mix with your favorite no-sugar vinaigrette dressing to make the basil vinaigrette.
5. Arrange the steamed asparagus on a plate, season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper, and drizzle over desired amount of basil vinaigrette.
6. That’s it! Serve the asparagus hot or room temperature, with a little more basil vinaigrette on the side to spoon over at the table. Enjoy!

Make it a Low-Carb Meal:

This 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

Continue to Content

Print

Yield: 4 servings

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 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 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 any fresh basil, but that version will not be Paleo or Vegan.

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.

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating (under the PRINT button in the recipe) or share a photo of your results on Instagram! THANKS!

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 and 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 with Basil Vinaigrette 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. The recipe was last updated with more information in 2025.

Share This: