Wash the asparagus to remove any grit or dirt. Don't dry them since the water typically helps with microwave steaming!
Then, trim the edges. You can either do this by bending the stalk close to the white woody part and it'll break naturally. Or if processing a bunch at once, line them all up and chop off the wood part.
Line up the asparagus in a neat flat row in a long microwave-safe container, ideally one with a lid or one that you can cover with a plate. Then, add a tablespoon of water.
Cover with lid or plate and microwave on high heat for 3 minutes for al dente asparagus. If your asparagus is a bit on the thicker side (more than half an inch thick), you might need to microwave for 5 minutes to get to al dente texture. If you desire a softer consistency, cook in 1 minute increments until you reach desired softness
Remove the asparagus from the microwave with oven safe mitts and be careful opening the lid or removing the plate since it'll be quite steamy! Then, drizzle a teaspoon each of olive oil and lemon juice, and add a teaspoon of salt and garlic powder along with half a teaspoon of black pepper. Use a fork or a spatula to toss the asparagus and you're done!
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Notes
To save yourself the hassle of washing multiple things, microwave the asparagus in the same container you plan to store it if possible. I typically use long glass containers with an airtight lid. This way, I can just throw them in the fridge if there are leftovers!
Seasoning suggestions are for basic steamed asparagus - you can season with any other seasoning you typically use for asparagus!