Creamy Mustard Sauce for Asparagus

This creamy sauce for asparagus comes together in a flash and requires zero cooking. All you’ll do is mix together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and white-wine vinegar. Season it to taste with salt and pepper to serve it alongside the bright-green spears. Together, they make a delicious accompaniment to salmon, roasted proteins, or even eggs (brunch, anyone?) and are an excellent way to usher in spring. We're partial to serving this sauce with steamed and chilled asparagus (and have a few methods for that below), but you can certainly boil, roast, or even grill the spears and serve them warm, cold, or at room temperature. No matter which direction you go, this easy condiment is a tangy, creamy way to take simply cooked vegetables to the next level.

Ingredients for Easy Mustard Sauce for Asparagus

Making this creamy sauce for asparagus couldn't be simpler. You'll only need the following four ingredients, which you likely already have at home:

Mayonnaise: One-quarter cup of mayonnaise forms the base of this creamy sauce. Use your favorite store-bought mayonnaise here or try making your own using our easy recipe. You can also swap in an eggless mayonnaise to make this recipe vegan.

Olive oil: A couple tablespoons of olive oil help thin out this sauce, making it easy to drizzle, while adding additional richness. We prefer the flavor of extra-virgin olive oil here, but you can use light olive oil for a less pronounced taste.

Vinegar: White-wine vinegar brings a welcomed dose of tanginess to the table. If you don't have white-wine vinegar, you can use champagne vinegar, rice vinegar, or even distilled white vinegar in a pinch. (If using distilled white vinegar, which is the punchiest of the three, we recommend starting with half the amount called for and tasting before adding more.)

Dijon mustard: Two teaspoons of Dijon mustard adds delicious flavor to this sauce along with a subtle bite. You can use a grainy Dijon mustard or a stone-ground variety in place of the creamy Dijon, if desired.

3 Ways to Steam Asparagus (and How to Chill It)

There are several ways you can steam asparagus.

In a steamer basket: Fill a saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water, then place a steamer basket on top. Bring water to a boil, then set asparagus in basket, cover, and cook until spears are bright green and just tender, 5 to 8 minutes.

In a skillet: If you don't have a steamer basket, you add a small amount of water to the bottom of a skillet or Dutch oven (just enough the cover the surface), then add the asparagus and cover with a lid. Cook over medium-high heat until the spears are bright green and just tender, about 5 minutes.

In the microwave: You can also steam asparagus in the microwave by placing the spears on a large plate, adding 2 tablespoons of water, and covering with either another plate or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Cook on high power for 3 minutes or until asparagus are just tender.