Looking for new side dish ideas? Try this Asparagus with Lemon Dill Sauce! The asparagus is lightly steamed and topped with a delicious sauce loaded with lemon juice and fresh dill. This recipe is a great healthy option and goes perfectly with seafood. Try the sauce on top of your favorite fish too!
I always look forward to this time of year when everything is growing and there is a bounty of delicious fresh fruits and vegetables available. It’s so fun to go to the store or farmer’s market and browse through all the produce! Everything is so colorful and smells wonderful! So when my favorite veggies are in season, I try to use them as much as possible.
Asparagus was never one of my favorites as a kid, but it is one of the very few vegetables my picky husband will eat, so I’ve grown pretty fond of them myself. I like experimenting with different recipes, but in my opinion it’s hard to beat simple steamed asparagus paired with a delicious, creamy sauce! And this one is AMAZING!
The recipe is so simple and takes just a few minutes to put together. It starts with giving the asparagus a quick steam followed by a brief dip in an ice bath. This stops the cooking process so the asparagus stays perfectly crisp but tender. It also helps keep that gorgeous bright green color! Then the sauce is made with a basic roux of butter and flour, and I add 2% milk to create the base of the sauce. You could substitute half-and-half, whole milk, or probably even skim milk… I just use whatever I have on hand! Then I add in lemon juice and fresh dill which gives the sauce amazing flavor! It’s always more fun to eat your vegetables when you have an incredible sauce to go with them! Your kids will never be so happy to eat their vegetables, I promise : )
This recipe is great with all different kinds of meat, but goes exceptionally well with seafood. You could make a double batch of the sauce and use it for both your asparagus and meat if you’d like!
I mentioned before that I’m trying to get in shape this Summer, and I’m doing a pretty darn good job of it so far! (If I do say so myself!) I love recipes like this when I’m trying to eat healthy because they are quick to make, only use a few ingredients, and don’t taste like diet food! The asparagus is very low calorie, but the flavorful sauce adds the perfect amount of decadence. Try this awesome side dish with your next meal!
Click HERE to view a printable version of this recipe!
Asparagus with Lemon Dill Sauce
2 pounds fresh asparagus
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup 2% milk
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
Trim the asparagus and steam 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender. Then dip asparagus in ice water to stop the cooking process. Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add flour and let cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Then add milk and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes over medium heat until sauce is thickened. Remove from heat and add lemon juice, dill, and salt. Stir to combine and serve over asparagus.
Recipe inspired by Taste of Home
Try these healthy recipes too!
Crunchy Romaine Strawberry Salad
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P.S. I’m sharing this post at some awesome link parties… Check them out HERE!
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The Weary Chef features weekly menus of tasty, quick dinners PLUS kid dinner ideas, bonus recipes, and Friday cocktails! Follow The Weary Chef on Facebook and Twitter to never miss a recipe!
This post has been sponsored by:
The Weary Chef features weekly menus of tasty, quick dinners PLUS kid dinner ideas, bonus recipes, and Friday cocktails! Follow The Weary Chef on Facebook and Twitter to never miss a recipe!
Absolutely beautiful photos! I love asparagus, I’ll have to try it with this lemon dill sauce – Yum!
This looks beautiful, healthy and delicious. Will definitely be pinning this. Saw this on Craft-O-Maniac link party and wanted to say hi! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah @ Domestically-Made.com
YUM! I love asparagus too, and I’m all about sauces! Thank you for the recipe – I will pin!
I just posted a few veggie sauce recipes too. So happy it’s summer with all of the vegetables!
Liz this looks INCREDIBLE!! I love asparagus and lemon/dill sauce is my favorite! Definitely making this one! Thanks for joining us each week at Monday Funday! Sharing this on our FB page! 😉
Yummy! Looks delicious. Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies — and the sauce would be a great addition!
– Lora
This looks so good! I love lemon and dill together!
We love asparagus; can’t wait to try this out! YUM!
Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Crafts – you were featured today!!
–Mandy, http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com
Hey there! Hopping over from The inspiration exchange…I will try this recipe for sure!Your blog is very nice:-)Come and check me if you have a minute at http://placeofmytaste.blogspot.com/
This looks so good. I love asparagus, one of my favorite veggies. Saw your post from Get Schooled Saturday.
Featured you tonight at Monday Funday! 😉
I sooooo GOTTA try that sauce! YUM!!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer… From Dream To Reality last week! Looking forward to partying with you again tomorrow evening!
Yum! I’m totally pinning this. We have been eating asparagus A LOT this summer. Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.
is it possible to make this sauce ahead of time and just heat it up when ready to serve?
I haven’t tried making the sauce ahead before, so you’ll have to let me know how it turns out!