Steak Seasoning Elevates Asparagus To The Savory Veg Hall Of Fame

If you're an asparagus person, you have likely perfected the exact method for seasoning your stalky greens so that they transform into a deliciously zesty side dish. You might just be a salt and pepper sprinkler, or maybe you go all out, dashing it with a bit of this and that from your spice cabinet and topping it off with a drizzle of lemon. Even if you don't care for asparagus much, there are plenty of ways to kick up the flavor that just might make you a convert. That's the beauty of this diverse veggie. Not only that, but asparagus is rich in antioxidants, vitamin K, and dietary fiber, and contains other essential minerals and antioxidants that the body can greatly benefit from (via Healthline).

Not adventurous enough in the kitchen to sort out the best combination of spices? No worries. Thankfully there are a lot of well-crafted spice blends out there that do the heavy lifting for us. That's why steak seasoning is about to become your best friend. It's time to start thinking of the label as a suggestion instead of a rule. Sure, it works great when you need a little something to complement the natural flavors of a juicy and tender steak, but you won't be committing any cooking atrocities by distributing its deliciousness to other food groups. There's plenty of steak seasoning to go around.

No matter what asparagus recipe you're making, Lifehacker says you shouldn't be afraid to use a good helping of steak seasoning before tossing your veggies in the oven, air fryer, or on the grill. McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning is a pretty common option found at most grocery chains like Walmart and Costco, and it contains savory little chunks of salt, black and red pepper, paprika, onion, and garlic. One big difference between using individual spices and opting to use steak seasoning is actually that chunky texture. Those "little bursts of flavor" that come from steak seasoning's "thicker, bulkier granule" tend to be a very welcome addition to dishes featuring veggies like squash, cabbage, and of course, asparagus — which are so high in water content that they can often taste bland or plain if not seasoned well enough (via Penn State).

Applying heat to asparagus will always dry it out to some extent, so you'll want to prep your veggies with the steak seasoning before cooking them. Roasting asparagus is always a great option, and you can never go wrong with lathering your stalks in olive oil and lemon juice. Per Lifehacker, this ensures your added spices will have a way to adhere to the asparagus and actually season it well. One Southern Living writer says they never make asparagus without a good sprinkle of steak seasoning, so bring on all the umami-infused veggies! Who knows, maybe you'll even find other flavor hacks to love.