Crisp and tender Roasted Asparagus that’s not soggy!? Yes, you heard it right. This baked asparagus recipe starts by teaching you the best way to trim and remove the woody spears (without cutting!), what baking sheet to use, and how long to cook it in a 400-degree oven. You can then have this healthy, low-carb, and vegan side dish recipe ready for dinner in less than 20 minutes!
Sometimes there are dishes I make at home that do not seem initially worthy enough to make an appearance on the site.
They’re either too quick to make…
Don’t need that many ingredients…
Or, quite honestly, I think you all know how to make something similar already!
Like this roasted asparagus recipe.
Thinking everyone already knew how to roast asparagus in the oven, I was quite shocked to get a text from a good friend asking,
“How long do I bake asparagus?”
It was in that moment I realized – we all have completely different skills and levels when it comes to cooking!
So today I promise to you – there is no more holding back on sharing recipes or cooking techniques with you lovelies!
You’re getting it all from the super simple how-to posts to the more complex and gourmet recipes.
Ingredients
This roasted asparagus recipe is so quick and simple to make. You will only need a few easy-to-find ingredients:
- Asparagus – You can find this vegetable in one-pound bunches in the produce area at your grocery store. Thinner spears will cook more quickly versus larger ones.
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice and zest are both used at the end of roasting to give a zest of citrus.
- Do not add the lemon juice before cooking as it will develop a bitter flavor when baked.
- Learn how to zest a lemon 5 different ways!
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves are a big component to this recipe. While garlic powder can be used, it will not deliver the same punch of flavor.
- Oil – A relatively good quality olive oil should be used. Avocado oil or another mildly flavored oil can also be substituted.
- Salt and Pepper – Add as little or as much as you’d like depending on your taste preference.
How to Trim Asparagus
Not to get too graphic, but my sweet husband had to react quickly and give me the Heimlich maneuver when we were staying in a secluded resort in Costa Rica.
And yes… it was due to a very fibrous piece of asparagus that fit perfectly into my trachea.
Since that experience I have always been extremely diligent to remove every centimeter of the tough, woody part of an asparagus spear.
But how do you know where to trim it? The answer is quite simple.
While yes, you can take a sharp knife and quickly slice at the junction where the light brown turns to green.
But there’s a better and more effective way.
- Pick up one asparagus spear.
- Hold the spear in both hands and place your thumb at the junction of the light brown and green part.
- Press lightly until you can feel where the asparagus is soft versus where it is hard.
- Continue pressing until the spear snaps. Repeat this process with the remaining asparagus spears.
Best Baking Sheet
One of the most important steps when roasting asparagus is to make sure you have a large enough baking sheet.
You will want all of the spears to be in a single layer with none of them overlapping.
Additionally, using a rimmed baking sheet will ensure none of the delicious garlic oil runs off into the oven.
A rimmed baker’s half-sheet pan is my preferred baking sheet to use when roasting vegetables.
Cook’s Tip: If you want to take it up a notch you can even place the asparagus spears on an oven-safe wire rack. This allows the hot air in the oven to contact the asparagus on all of its sides!
How to Roast Asparagus in Oven
Now that you have your ingredients gathered together, and you’ve prepared the spears – it’s time to get to roasting!
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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Whisk together the oil, salt, pepper, and crushed garlic.
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Place asparagus spears on a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
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Brush garlic oil over all sides of the spears using a pastry brush.
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Bake at 400 degrees for 11-13 minutes, or until tender and bright green.
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Zest half of a lemon and squeeze juice over the asparagus before serving.
Tips and Tricks
How long to roast asparagus at 375, 400, and 425 degrees?
Sometimes you already have another dish in the oven and you can’t change the temperature. I totally get it!
In these cases it’s actually quite simple to change the length of time you roast the asparagus depending on the oven temperature you’re currently using.
Roast asparagus at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes, at 400 degrees for 11-13 minutes, and at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
How to get it crisp and not soggy?
There are two main culprits for ending up with soggy and not crisp asparagus: overcooking and using too much liquid.
- Pull it out as soon as it gets tender and turns bright green.
- Add only as much olive oil as you need to lightly coat all of the spears.
How long can I store leftovers in the refrigerator?
Roasted asparagus will last in a refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, it has the best texture when it is served immediately after roasting and will get mushy if refrigerated between servings.
What goes good with asparagus?
This low-carb and Whole30 side is so amazing because it goes with almost ANY main dish!
A few of my favorite entrees to serve it with include:
Other Easy Asparagus Recipes
You might also enjoy this Cream of Asparagus Soup, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles, and these Parmesan Asparagus Fries.
Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Make the perfect crisp and tender Roasted Asparagus every time with this easy recipe! Finish off this healthy side dish with a burst of fresh lemon zest to take it over-the-top!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. asparagus spears tough ends removed
- 1 ½ Tbsp. olive oil or avocado oil
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- ½ lemon juice and zest
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
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Remove the tough ends of the asparagus spears by snapping at the junction where the hard and tender parts meet. Repeat with all asparagus spears.
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In a small bowl whisk together the oil, salt, pepper, and crushed garlic.
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Place asparagus spears on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. (Optional: If you want to take it up a notch you can even place the asparagus spears on an oven-safe wire rack. This allows the hot air in the oven to contact the asparagus on all of its sides!)
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Brush garlic oil over all sides of the spears using a pastry brush.
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Bake asparagus in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, or until tender and bright green.
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Just before serving zest half of a lemon and squeeze juice over the asparagus. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- To Store: Leftover roasted lemon garlic asparagus will last in a refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, the texture is best immediately after cooking.
- To Freeze: Seal roasted asparagus in freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months.
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