Instant Pot Asparagus is fresh tasting, and the lemon butter sauce is delicious over it. This is a perfect vegetable side dish for your Holiday meal, or with salmon.
Make sure your asparagus fit in the pot. Trim the ends to make them fit.
Add the water and butter to the pot. Also add garlic, if using.
Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial. Then press the +/- button or dial to select 1 minute. Select 0 minutes for thinner asparagus*, or for crisper results (see note).
When the butter is melted and the water is hot, add the asparagus, laying half in the pot, and the other half crossways over the first layer. You don't need a steamer rack, it is optional.
Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position. The pot will take a few minutes to come to pressure.
As soon as the cooking cycle is finished, turn the steam release knob to the Venting position. When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
Use tongs to gently take the asparagus out of the pot onto a plate.
Add the salt and lemon juice to the liquid in the pot. Taste and adjust salt and/or lemon juice as needed.
Stir in the parmesan and then spoon mixture over the asparagus.
Serve immediately.
*If your asparagus is really thin, or you like it a little crisper, try using LOW pressure to avoid overcooking it.