Oven roasted asparagus with lemon and garlic is so quick and delicious! Flavorful, perfectly cooked, it is a family favorite and great with anything!
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This Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus will have you craving spring
If you're looking for a delicious side that'll have you dreaming of spring, then my lemon garlic roasted asparagus recipe is just what you need. It's super simple to make, takes less than 15 minutes to cook, and turns out perfect every time. You've seriously never tasted asparagus like this before - even the pickiest eaters will clear their plates and ask for seconds.
Trust me, this recipe is a game-changer. It's packed with flavor, has just the right amount of crunch, and pairs well with any meal. Just follow my easy instructions and you'll never have to suffer through bland, soggy asparagus again!
Roasted Asparagus Ingredients
- Asparagus
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
How to Prep Oven Roasted Asparagus
Since you are drizzling the asparagus with olive oil, be sure to let it dry or hand dry it after you give it a wash. Otherwise, the oil won't stick and you'll lose all of that wonderful flavor!
If you can zest your lemon first and let it dry a bit, it is much easier to sprinkle on the asparagus. But obviously, I didn't do that when I made this video. Probably because I was doing it during nap time and I basically work at hyper-speed when both kiddos happen to be sleeping at the same time.
Another reason I was so excited to share this recipe is that, for me, it means spring is coming! Who cares if snow is forecasted for the rest of the week, I bought asparagus and it is a spring vegetable!! HA.
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How to make Lemon Roasted Asparagus
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Wash and trim the ends of the asparagus spears. To trim asparagus, hold each end between your fingertips. Bend the asparagus, and it should break about 1-2 inches from the bottom.
- Put the asparagus and garlic on a sheet pan.
- Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle the lemon zest, salt, and pepper on top.
- Toss to coat evenly.
- Make sure the asparagus is spread evenly, in a single layer.
- Bake for 10 minutes until the ends are crisp and the stalks are tender.
- Take the asparagus out of the oven and toss it with the lemon juice.
Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe Variations
You don't need many ingredients to make delicious roasted asparagus, but here are a few variations to can try:
- Add some cheese: Sprinkle a little Parmesan or feta cheese on top of the asparagus before baking. The salty and tangy flavors take this dish to the next level.
- Use flavored oil: Olive oil is delicious, but if you want to add an extra layer of flavor, try using an alternative like chili-infused oil.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar: Drizzle some balsamic vinegar on top after baking! It's sweet, and tangy, and goes well with the lemon and garlic flavors.
- Top with nuts: Add some crunch to your asparagus by sprinkling over crushed almonds, walnuts, or pine nuts before baking.
Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe Tips
In the video, I quickly demo how to trim the asparagus. The best way is to just grab it on either end, start bending and let it break where it wants too. That ensures you're getting rid of all the toughness in each stalk. Simple! Check out my full asparagus trimming video and post here!
Another kitchen tip: how I peel garlic! The easiest way is to give it a whack with the flat side of your knife and smash it. The peel just falls off! Ain't nobody got time for peeling whole garlic cloves.
If you wanted to mince them up, you most certainly could but I am a lazy cook so when I can just smash garlic, I do.
What to serve with Lemon Garlic Asparagus
This asparagus recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal. The bright flavors will add a burst of freshness to your plate! Here are some of my favorite dishes to pair with roasted asparagus:
- Lemon ricotta pasta
- Slow-cooked frozen chicken
- Ham casserole
- Chicken risotto
- Pan-fried cube steak
- Steakhouse mashed potatoes
- Herb crusted chicken
- Sage and brown sugar glazed ham
- Reverse seared steak
- Pastina
- Glazed carrots
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon storage
Once the asparagus has completely cooled, transfer it into an airtight container or wrap it in plastic wrap. It'll stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just note that the texture and flavor might change slightly once thawed.
How Asparagus is Grown
Also, if you ever happen to have the opportunity to explore an asparagus field, do it. Asparagus crowns {the part we eat} are harvested in the spring from year-old plans. After the spring harvest, the asparagus is actually is a fern.
Asparagus ferns are huge, around 4 feet tall and are incredible to me for some reason. You can actually grow a variety of asparagus fern as a houseplant.
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Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus (washed and trimmed)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves (slightly smashed)
- zest from 1 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- To trim asparagus, hold each end between your fingertips. Bend the asparagus, and it should brake about 1-2 inches from the bottom. Repeat with entire pound.
- Place asparagus and garlic on a sheet pan.
- Drizzel with olive oil, sprinkle on lemon zest, salt and pepper.
- Toss to coat evenly.
- Keep asparagus in a single layer on sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, until the ends are crisp and the asparagus is slightly tender.
- Toss with lemon juice.
Nellie Tracy
This is such a yummy way to make asparagus! Makes me want to eat it more!
Alli
Thank you Nellie!
Jessica
Asparagus is one of our favorite side dishes, but I am always running out of ways to make it. Loved this recipe and it will be a keeper in our house!
Alli
So happy to hear that, Jessica!
Alli
Flavorful side dish!