I get so excited for asparagus season every year! Not only are they way less expensive when in season, but they’re also just so much more delicious. And because the price is just so inflated the rest of the year, I pretty much save all my asparagus eating for the spring, when they’re in season. This simple method for Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus is one of the easiest ways to prepare asparagus and it’s so scrumptious that I could just about eat the entire bunch myself. Consider that a fair warning. ;)
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Why I Love Roasted Asparagus
There are several ways to cook asparagus, but roasting takes first prize for me. Roasting kind of concentrates the flavor, so you get a much more deep, savory flavor than lighter cooking methods like steaming or sautéing. The edges get a little brown and crispy, which gives them so much wonderful texture. They’re just a delight to eat.
When is Asparagus Season?
As I mentioned in the introduction, asparagus is definitely one of those vegetables that you want to buy in season to get the best price and flavor. Asparagus are in season during the spring months, or from late February to early June, depending on where you live.
How to Pick Good Asparagus
Avoid choosing asparagus that aren’t kept moist at the grocery store. Check the cut ends to make sure they’re not dry (even better if they’re displayed with cut ends in water), and make sure the asparagus itself is crisp and not soft or rubbery. The flowering end should be tightly closed to the stalk.
What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus are a classic, simple side dish for roasted or grilled meats. These asparagus would go great with Lemon Pepper Chicken, Brown Sugar Roasted Pork Loin, Honey Mustard Pork Chops, or Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Crispy Onions. You might also want to make some Hollandaise Sauce to drizzle over these delicious asparagus!
Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Servings 4Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus (1 lb.) ($1.88)
- 2 cloves garlic ($0.16)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
- 1/8 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.02)
- 1 fresh lemon ($0.89)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Rinse the asparagus well, then trim off the dry or woody end of the stem (usually about one inch needs to be removed from the ends). Mince two cloves of garlic.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, if desired. Place the trimmed asparagus on the baking sheet along with the minced garlic. Drizzle the olive oil over top, then add the salt and pepper. Toss the asparagus until they are coated in garlic, oil, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the asparagus to the preheated 400ºF oven and roast for 20 minutes or until they have browned to your liking (roasting time may vary depending on the girth of your asparagus). Stir once halfway through roasting.
- While the asparagus are cooking, zest the lemon using the fine side of a box grater or a small-holed cheese grater. You'll need about 1 tsp zest. After zesting, cut the lemon into wedges.
- Once the asparagus are roasted, add the lemon zest and a couple squeezes of lemon juice. Toss to coat. Taste and adjust the salt or lemon as desired. Serve with the remaining lemon wedges.
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Equipment
- Enamelware Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Grater
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!How to Make Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus – Step by Step Photos
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Rinse one bunch of asparagus (about 1 lb.), then trim off the dry woody ends. Sometimes I leave the rubber bands on while trimming to make it a bit easier. Mince two cloves of garlic.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, if you prefer easy cleanup. Add the trimmed asparagus to the baking sheet along with the minced garlic, 1 Tbsp olive oil, and about 1/8 tsp salt and pepper. Toss the asparagus until they’re coated in oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Transfer to the oven to roast.
While the asparagus is roasting, zest one lemon. You’ll need about 1 tsp lemon zest. After zesting, cut the lemon into wedges.
Roast the asparagus for about 20 minutes, or until they are browned to your liking (roasting time may vary depending on the girth of your asparagus). Stir the asparagus about halfway through roasting. Once roasted, add the lemon zest and a couple squeezes of lemon juice. Toss the asparagus to coat in lemon. Taste and adjust the salt or lemon to your liking.
Serve the roasted asparagus with the remaining lemon wedges. Enjoy! And try not to eat the entire batch yourself…
I like my asparagus cut into 1″ pieces before cooking, And I peel the bottom of the spears 1 or two inches, the toughness is in the peel and I have less to compost. I only eat the asparagus that grows in my garden, some wild some hybrids, but all so good when picked and cooked within minutes of harvest. Nothing but butter, salt, pepper. Is my favorite can’t get enough. Store bought is just not good, from South America or Mexico or even local is just not fresh enough. I pick for 6 weeks and eat every day, then it’s done until next year.
Doesn’t the garlic burn in 20 mins @400? That seems to be my main issue when roasting vegetables.
Delicious and easy vegetable side.
Solid suggestions with the lemon zest and served with lemon wedges. I added some parm when serving. Honestly great recipe, should make! Don’t be scared to add your own twist to it though!
I made this dish with part of the dinner for my husband for Valentine’s day and he loved it. I was surprised when he took the lemon wedge and squeezed it on his asparagus. He enjoyed it and packed it for lunch the next day. My problem was my own: I overcooked them and they wilted but were delicious. Next time I will know better.
Hi, thanks for this recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
I’m a little surprised because you don’t peel the asparagus.
I’ve never roasted asparagus, but every time I cooked them in water, I was told to peel them. Is it not necessary when roasting?
I’ve never peeled my asparagus, no matter the cooking method. :) I suppose if you have some asparagus that are super woody or fibrous toward the end you might benefit from peeling, but in general, I don’t think it’s necessary.
This recipe is for the tender green asparagus that are found in North America. I’ve only seen the asparagus that need to be peeled in Germany. These are white asparagus that are have a tougher skin that should be peeled first.
It seems like 20 minutes at 400 degrees is going to end up with limp mushy asparagus. Are you sure this is right?
That was the time and temperature that worked well for me, but you’ll always need to keep in mind that ovens do vary and cooking time can also vary depending on the girth of your asparagus.
what is a mustard vinaigrette?
I love roasted asparagus with a good mustard sauce. I think I’ll try it with your Honey Mustard Sauce minus the honey. Another thing I might try is using your mustard vinaigrette instead of the olive oil? What do you think?
Ooooh, all of those are excellent ideas! I especially love the idea of roasting them in the mustard vinaigrette. I know from experience that they’re great in a balsamic vinaigrette, so I bet a mustard one would work just as well.
Did you ever grow your asparagus in your future garden? :)
Sadly, I don’t have my future garden yet. 😭
I’m going to try it
AHHH ASPARAGUS !!! You don’t have to chop off the base of this delectable veggie. I simply get out my peeler and peel off the white part down to the yummy white flesh under the skin! Asparagus is sometimes expensive depending the time of year you get that old CRAVE. Do not waste a bit. JUST PEEL AWAY ! LOL!! LISA
Yes, this is very nice. I would like to add my own version if you like which I’ve made for the last 10 years. I only buy asparagus when it goes down to 1.99 / lb. First the asparagus is marinated in olive oil, lemon juice and S&P for a few hours. Then you’d fire up the grill and over medium heat lay out the asparagus. Cook until limp and darkened, some prefer black. Pick off the small ones as they will cook first and eat as the others cook. I try to buy only medium size stalks. Avoid the tiny thin ones as well as the large woody ones. It should take 15 – 20 min. depending on the size of the veg. and your heat. A more gourmet version I’ve heard would be to wrap a few stalks in Prosciutto or Fontina cheese. Alternatively, you could just sprinkle your favorite cheese over the top on a serving dish and watch them dissapear.
I love asparagus, I love lemon and I love garlic. This dish looks perfect for my table. Will try it today. I just picked up a bunch yesterday st Aldis.thanks for this simple recripe.
This is delicious! I make broccoli the same way, also delicious.
very interestind ans very usefull
thank you
Looks great! How would I cook these on my gas grill??
It would be nice if you included nutritional information regarding the number of carbohydrates and fiber. Thanks.
Love the recipe asparagus it’s easy to make & healthy .its yummy.
This sounds very nice. Goodness, you got 24 asparagus spears in a bundle for $2.49 where you live? I live in Adelaide, South Australia, and we get about 6-8 spears for $2.99, depending on the size of the asparagus. So I tend to consider it a luxury item.
Yum except I break off the bottoms ends first by hand at the ‘natural’ break. Hold the asparagus horizontal by hand and pull down on the bottom end and it will naturally break off. If pressed for space or want equal length I then trim them.
I do the same thing.
Great recipe for summertime! it is very easy and quick to prepare. Good for a snack or a side dish!
Try sprinkling some seasoned breadcrumbs over them before placing them in the oven.
I used lime infused olive oil, I am going to try this with orange infused olive oil and orange zest for a totally different taste. Love this recipe, you can do so much with it
I LOVE this recipe! This is my new go to method for asparagus.
This recipe is brilliant! I’ve only ever sauteed my asparagus but it’s soooo much better in the oven, I loved the crispy ends. Now whenever I’m in the grocery store I grab it since I know it will make a great snack :)
Served this with your Vegan Beans & Rice dish. Incredible! The lemon zest is brilliant.
This was simple and delicious, thank you. :)
I wouldn’t freeze these. Honestly, I usually have very little left overs if any at all because asparagus bunches are fairly small. I just refrigerate and reheat in the microwave over the next couple of days.
What do you do with leftovers? Can you freeze asparagus?
Wow Aspargus is so cheap in the US. I paid 4,5 euro for a bunch of them (almost 7 dollars) !
Dang, that looks good! I adore roasted asparagus, must remember to add lemon next time I make it!
You inspired me to grab a bunch of asparagus when I saw it was on sale at the grocery store. :) This was really simple and tasty!
LOVE asparagus – this dish looks so healthy and flavorful! Perfect for summer!
Mary
Delightful Bitefuls
Yum! Asparagus is fast becoming my favorite vegetable.
I’m very excited to find spring asparagus In stores, too! Love it.
I love asparagus, we eat it weekly. Love it roasted or steamed!
Another tip – to make them stay fresher longer, I put them upright in a mug of water in the fridge when I get home from the store. This helps keep them from getting rubbery if you don’t cook them right away. (This also works great with fresh herbs.)
Aw yum! Missing spring already (it’s Autumn where I am!).
By the way, if I have time I usually peel the bottom inch off the asparagus (if it’s thick), and that way I get more out of a bunch. Although you are right in that the bottoms dry out a bit if they don’t put them in water, so nipping off the very ends is a good idea.