What To Serve It With
Roasted asparagus is the perfect side dish to serve with any main meal, protein, or full spread of veggies. And if you were wondering what protein goes well with asparagus, you are in the right place.
I love it alongside Roasted Carrots and Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash for a full, plant-based meal. Or if you have leftovers, make my Roasted Asparagus Salad recipe.
Its a wonderful addition to those long weekend mornings and brunch gatherings alongside Spinach Feta Frittata and Goat Cheese Quiche, too.
What Do I Serve It With
This side dish is super easy to make and it is a delicious complement to our favorite meals. From pork roast to grilled steak to regular baked chicken, it complements each of these dinner recipes! We even love serving roasted asparagus for Easter dinner. Not only does it add beautiful color to the table, but it also has such a delicious and fresh spring flavor. Asparagus can be seasoned in a million different ways. However, it always tastes scrumptious with whatever meal youre serving. This roasted asparagus recipe is always a favorite at our dinner table whenever we make it for our families!
Trim The Asparagus Properly
Every stalk of asparagus has a tough, woody end that should be removed before roasting. Where this woody section stops and starts varies from stalk to stalk.
There are two methods for trimming asparagus to consider:bend and break or trimming with a knife.
- While trimming the entire bunch of asparagus at once is faster, youll inevitably waste edible flesh on some spears, and miss some of the woody parts of othersresulting in a few tough, stringy bites.
- Bending and breaking asparagus ensures you only remove the tough portions of each stalk, resulting in less waste and guaranteed tenderness on every stalk.
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How To Roast Asparagus
Roasting asparagus is super easy and quick! Simply toss your prepared asparagus with a light drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. I like to do this on a large, rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
Bake until the asparagus is easily pierced through by a fork, which will vary depending on the thickness of your asparagus. Pencil-thin asparagus, like the kind shown here, will be done in as little as 10 minutes. Thicker asparagus will need between 15 to 20 minutes. Youll find all of these details in the recipe below.
Tips For The Roasted Asparagus Recipe
- To make your asparagus more tender: You can pre-cook asparagus in the microwave with 1 cup water for 5 minutes, then soak it into ice-cold water before using them.
- Thin asparagus should be done in as little as 10 minutes. Thicker asparagus will need between 15 to 20 minutes.
- We find that parmesan is already salty, so go easy on salt at first, then taste and adjust seasoning to your taste.
- You can use olive oil instead of melted butter.
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How To Cook Asparagus In The Oven
This section shows how to roast asparagus, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
The process for how to roast asparagus in the oven is super easy!
FYI: There are a couple of ways to trim asparagus.
The simplest way is to just line up the stalks parallel to each other and cut off the woody ends using a knife. But, if you want each stalk trimmed at the optimal spot, simply bend each asparagus stalk gently until the end snaps off.
TIP: Make sure that each piece touches the pan.
This will help your roasted asparagus brown a little and cook evenly.
Should Asparagus Be Blanched Before Roasting
Blanching seasons the spears and also gives them a kick-start in the cooking process. Whenever you grill, sear, or roast, youre using a really high temperature. Without blanching, youd char the outside but the inside would still be raw. To blanch, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and salt the hell out of it.
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What To Serve With Roasted Asparagus
This asparagus recipe makes a great veggie side dish for chicken or fish, and is especially tasty as a side to an egg dish for a spring brunch. But Ive also been known to snack on it directly from the pan its that good! You can even add a drizzle of hollandaise sauce if you like.
Here are some simple meals to pair with easy asparagus recipes like this one:
Tips For Making Garlic Roasted Asparagus
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Roasted Asparagus With Parmesan
If you want to jazz up the classic roasted asparagus in oven recipe, I have a quick and easy solution. Follow the same basic recipe. Once youve added your minced garlic, sprinkle the asparagus with freshly grated parmesan cheese just before you roast it.
This baked asparagus recipe will have a whole new boost of flavor and can elevate a familiar side dish. Garlic parmesan asparagus is a favorite of mine.
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Through Thick And Thin
Not all spears of asparagus are created equal. Thin spears are typically younger, with a more mild and fresh flavor, while thicker spears, which were left to grow longer, have a stronger asparagus flavor. Both are delicious. Just stay consistent with what you buy to cook, because cooking with some thick and others that are thin will make it hard to cook all the asparagus evenly.
How Do You Keep Breaded Chicken Moist While Baking
One key to keeping skinless chicken juicy is using the right temperature for cooking. You want the chicken to cook properly, without going too long and drying it out. The breading helps take the place of chicken skin, protecting the meat and keeping it juicy longer. But if you cook at too low of a temperature, it will still dry out. I recommend baking at 400°F for this recipe, so that the breading browns and the chicken cooks quickly.
Also, use an Instant Read Meat Thermometer to check on the chicken. Chicken breasts are cooked through when internal temperature registers at 165F.
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How To Season Asparagus
Here are some ideas for flavors that will complement your roasted asparagus. Keep it simple and choose just one or two. Or go all-out like I did, and use all four of the first ideas.
- Lemon zest and/or lemon wedges
- Sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Small handful of fresh mint or parsley, finely chopped
- Light sprinkle of red pepper flakes
- Pat or two of butter
- Light drizzle of balsamic reduction or thick balsamic vinegar
- Toasted sliced almonds
Why Is My Grilled Asparagus Soggy
Youre overcooking it.
Because it only takes a few minutes to cook, keep a close eye on it to avoid soggy, limp stems as the outcome. Take it out of the oven or off the stove a minute or so before you think its done to avoid overcooking. Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath.
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How Do I Make Oven Roasted Asparagus
To roast vegetables, make sure to start with a preheated, hot oven. I use 425 degrees, but if you are cooking other parts of your meal at the same time, this temperature can be adjusted a little up or down either way and you will still get a great result.
In addition to the preheated, hot oven, make sure your vegetables are not crowded on the pan. Overcrowding can cause the vegetables to steam, as opposed to roasting.
To prepare Oven Roasted Asparagus, snap the bottom ends off the spears about an inch from the bottom. You can also choose to cut off the bottoms with a knife if you prefer. Often this is where the whitish end turns green. The whitish bottoms can be tough and slightly stringy.
Place the Asparagus spears on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Turn to coat them and then sprinkle kosher or sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.
Roast them in the preheated oven for 10 minutes and your result will be a juicy, tender but still slightly crisp Asparagus Spear.
When making Oven Roasted Asparagus, I usually choose a thicker stalk. Sometimes only pencil thin Asparagus is available. This is fine, but slightly less time in the oven may be necessary if a tender, crisp result is desired.
Oven Roasted Asparagus is the perfect accompaniment to so many dishes. I really love it with seafood dishes like my Pan Seared Salmon with Cream Sauce or Baked FRESH Salmon Cakes. These Sticky Asian Barbecue Ribs and Spatchcock Roasted Chicken are a few other great ideas!
Should I Blanch Asparagus Before Roasting
This step is completely optional and I often skip it.
Blanching asparagus spears is a simple process. The vegetables are boiled in hot, salty water for a short amount of time, then immediately placed in ice water. It keeps the beautiful green flavor when youre baking asparagus.
Plus, itll also give you a headstart on the process of cooking asparagus in oven. It also means that when you bake them, the outside wont overcook before the insides are done. Itll keep them beautifully crisp too.
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What Can I Substitute For Honey Mustard
You might be loving the idea of pecan crusted chicken, but honey mustard isnt your thing or isnt a good choice for the people youll be sharing the meal with. No problem! This chicken is perfectly seasoned and juicy on its own, and the flavor profile is versatile enough to go with lots of other sauces, too. Try serving it with aioli, some barbecue sauce, tzatziki, salsa, or even buffalo sauce. All yummy choices.
How To Prep Asparagus For Roasting
Bend and Break Hold the top of the stem in one hand and grip it near the base with the other. Briskly bend, and the asparagus will naturally snap in the right place. Its almost like magic and very satisfying.
Cut the Bunch . Hold the entire bunch of asparagus in one hand and trim off the ends about 1 1/2 inches or so from the bottom.
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Asparagus In The Oven
This Baked Asparagus recipe is so simple, youll wonder why you never started roasting asparagus before. All it takes is 5 simple ingredients for you can make time and time again.If you were ever looking for a healthy way to cook asparagus, along with tips and tricks on how to prep and store, you have come to the right place. Serve this simple green side dish for dinner along meat, chicken or veggies. Or whip up some eggs for a spectacular brunch soiree.
This oven-roasted asparagus recipe is created for one reason and that is because I am always looking for simple, straightforward ways to incorporate more greens into my diet. And side dishes, especially vegetable side dishes, give me an excuse to do so.
Cooking asparagus in the oven delivers a quick and healthy side dish that is easily customizable. Plus, I think it is the easiest way to cook it. Once you learn all there is to know about prepping, storing and cooking, the fun part comes in the seasoning and serving.
Add this baked asparagus to your recipe book. I promise you that itll be one youll turn to over and over again. If youd rather cook asparagus on the stove, be sure to check out my Sauteed Asparagus Recipe, and if you want to try your hand in cooking it in the air fryer be sure to try my Air Fryer Asparagus recipe as well.
How Long To Cook Asparagus In The Oven
If youre wondering how long to roast asparagus in the oven when theyre different sizes dont worry. Youll just need to adjust the timings based on the thickness of the roasted asparagus.
Generally, the best roast asparagus will need to cook for 12-15 minutes in a preheated oven to 400 ºF/200ºC. But the time should be adjusted for the size. Heres an easy guide for roasting asparagus:
- Thin: 8-11 minutes
The best asparagus will be lightly browned and fork-tender when its ready.
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How To Store Fresh Asparagus
Not unlike herbs, it’s best to store asparagus standing up in a cup of water in the fridge until ready to cook. Makes sure to trim the ends first and cover the upright spears loosely with a plastic bag.
Best practice is to use asparagus soon after buying, as the sugars naturally found in the stalk will migrate to the ends and can make the spears tough and stringy, but the water glass technique can make fresh asparagus last three to five days. Want to store it for longer? Try freezing it.
Do You Have To Peel Asparagus
You dont have to peel asparagus. But, you do want to trim the end off of the asparagus stalk, as its very tough, woody, and inedible. You can either snap it off with your hands, cut it with a chefs knife or peel it with a vegetable peeler.
Some recipes call for peeling the asparagus if its part of a shaved salad or a topping of for pizza. Its a great option to switch up the cooking technique, but in this baked asparagus recipe, were not peeling it.
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Storing And Reheating Baked Asparagus Recipe
Place leftover roasted asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for five to seven days. When ready to reheat leftovers, you can place them back in the oven for a few minutes or, you can microwave them for about thirty seconds. Unfortunately, the microwave makes them a bit soft, so I would recommend the oven method.
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From the book
The Roasting Tin: Deliciously Simple One-Dish Dinners
Simple, quick and inventive one-tin recipes
Revolutionise your midweek meal repertoire
Leave the hard work to the oven with 75 life changing recipes
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The Best Oven Roasted Asparagus
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My best oven-roasted asparagus is a whole new way to roast asparagus and still maintain a crispy, delicious exterior that makes for a great side dish to dinner.
Theres little in this life that cant be improved by roasting it. And one of my favorite veggies to take to the oven and roast is asparagus. Theres something about the crispy texture asparagus takes on when its roasted that makes it taste even better. My simple oven roasted asparagus recipe can be ready in as little as fifteen minutes.
Cooked asparagus in the oven seals in the natural, nutty flavor of this summertime staple. Also, it enhances the flavor with a blend of garlic, olive oil, and a little char. If youre wondering how to roast asparagus and make a simple side dish for a picnic, barbecue, or just for dinner Ive got you covered. Its a great healthy side dish.
The health benefits of asparagus are also significant. With only five ingredients, this oven-roasted asparagus is super good for you. Plus, it doesnt take away any of the nutrients .
Asparagus provides amazing nutrition. It is naturally rich in fiber and low in calories, high in Vitamins K, C, and A, and antioxidants. It has been shown to support pregnancy and lower blood pressure.
So, lets bake!
And check my Air Fryer Asparagus recipe for how to bake asparagus in an air fryer! Or check my guide on how to cook asparagus to perfection.
How To Store It
Leftover asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
During the week, I enjoy them chilled from the fridge for lunch or slightly rewarmed when it comes dinner time.
I do not recommend freezing the roasted asparagus. Upon reheating, the spears become waterlogged and mushy.
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