Description
This Roasted Asparagus Recipe delivers perfectly tender and flavorful asparagus spears with a crisp bite, enhanced by garlic oil and fresh lemon zest. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s an ideal side dish for any meal, roasted to a bright green finish in just 13 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Asparagus
- 1 pound asparagus spears (tough ends removed)
Seasoning & Oil
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
Finishing
- ½ lemon (juice and zest)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400℉ to ensure it reaches the perfect roasting temperature before placing the asparagus in.
- Prepare the Spears: Snap or cut off the tough ends of each asparagus spear where the hard portion meets the tender part to ensure only the best texture is roasted.
- Coat in Garlic Oil: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Lay the asparagus on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or an oven-safe wire rack, then brush the garlic oil evenly on all sides to infuse flavor.
- Roast in Oven: Place the prepared asparagus in the preheated oven and roast for 10-13 minutes. The exact time depends on spear thickness; cook until they are tender yet still bright green and slightly crispy on the tips.
- Serve: Right before serving, zest half a lemon over the asparagus and then squeeze the lemon juice on top to add a fresh, tangy finish that brightens the dish.
Notes
- Thicker asparagus spears require longer roasting time; thinner spears roast faster.
- Using a wire rack during roasting allows air circulation for crispier results on all sides.
- You can substitute lemon with lime for a different citrus flavor.
- For added texture, sprinkle with Parmesan or toasted nuts just before serving.
- This recipe can be doubled or tripled easily for larger gatherings.