Description
This healthy vegetable side dish is a perfect recipe to add to your regular rotation! Simple ingredients and great technique give you perfectly cooked asparagus, every time.
Ingredients
For The Asparagus:
- 1 bunch asparagus (12–16 ounces)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (more or less, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (more or less, to taste)
- Optional: 1 clove garlic, minced
Additional Seasonings or Flavorings To Try:
- Fresh lemon zest
- Fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs, like basil, thyme, or parsley
Instructions
-
Preheat The Oven. To start, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Set out a sheet pan (cookie sheet).
-
Trim Asparagus. To avoid any woody texture, trim the asparagus by bending the stalks until they naturally snap. (They’ll naturally break off right above the woody ends of the asparagus.) If you’re in a rush, just use a knife to trim off any discolored, overly thick, dry, or woody-looking stems, but you’ll get best results from the snapping method.
-
Season. Spread the trimmed asparagus out in a single layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. (Add garlic here, if using!) Use your hands to “stir” the stalks in the seasonings and oil until they’re evenly coated.
-
Roast. Place the sheet pan in the oven and roast asparagus just until the thickest part of the asparagus can be easily pierced with a fork. For thin asparagus spears, this can be about 7-9 minutes. For thicker asparagus, it can be as much as 9-12 minutes.
-
Garnish & Serve. If desired, you can garnish the asparagus with additional flavorings (cheese, red pepper flakes, fresh herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, etc.) Serve warm and store leftover roasted asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
Notes
- Size Matters! Thin spears of asparagus cook faster than thick spears do, so keep that in mind when you’re choosing your cooking time. When in doubt, check the asparagus early in the time range to avoid overcooking.
- How To Choose Good Asparagus: Look for a vibrant green color, closed, compact tips, and a solid texture. Avoid asparagus that looks limp, wilted, dull in color, or overly opened at the tips. (Signs that it’s past its prime)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American