How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven
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Let’s learn how to roast asparagus in the oven! All you need is asparagus, salt, and olive oil to make this quick, easy, and simply delicious Thanksgiving side dish.
Do you have any vegetables that you never cook because you just have no idea what to do with them? I think we do that more than we realize. If we didn’t grow up eating it or haven’t ever seen anyone cook it, we just walk on by without even noticing. So those of you who’ve been eating asparagus all of your life may be surprised to find it was pretty much a foreign obstacle to me and my entire family (including grandparents) until recently.
But times are a-changing around here! Last November, I was talking to my friend Jyl about our Thanksgiving menus and she said her most requested dish was asparagus. I decided that if it was that big of a deal on her family Thanksgiving dinner table it had to be something good. So I learned how to roast asparagus in the oven and we ended up having an asparagus side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and several dinners since then.
This roasted asparagus recipe is terribly easy to make and just delicious. Even though there is no butter involved (we use olive oil instead), this asparagus ends up tasting buttery, with flavors of the garden and just the right touch of salt. I’m glad I tried it and I’m sure it will be a staple in the Jordan family for generations to come.
I’ve since shared a couple more easy asparagus recipes on Southern Plate: for grilled asparagus and the best roasted asparagus seasoning. But however you prepare it, I hope you add asparagus to your Thanksgiving table this year.
Oooh! Let me show you how to roast asparagus the easy way!
Recipe Ingredients
- Kosher salt
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh asparagus
How to Roast Asparagus in the Oven
Okay, so here is what you do.
Grab your fresh asparagus spear and we want to snap the end off.
The trick is that there’s a part of the where it will snap really easily so we have gotta find that by just bending it 2-3 inches from the end and seeing if it snaps easily. If it doesn’t, go up another inch and it should.
After you get all of the ends snapped off, spread them out on a rimmed baking sheet (or a jelly roll pan).
Drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle them with kosher salt.
at 425 for about 20 minutes, stirring them once halfway through, until the asparagus spears are just lightly brown.
And that’s all there is to it. Enjoy!
Storage
- Oven-roasted asparagus is best served immediately. However, you can store asparagus leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer briefly before serving.
- Can you freeze baked asparagus? You sure can! When stored in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag it’ll last up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating as above. However, please know that frozen asparagus can sometimes become mushy.
Recipe Notes
- I highly recommend going that extra step and using kosher salt. It really is amazing and it doesn’t cost much at all.
- Olive oil is pretty expensive, so I go for generic whenever I can get it and have no qualms whatsoever about substituting vegetable oil in a pinch.
- are best for this . If you’ve only got your hands on , just keep an eye on them in the oven as they tend to cook quicker.
Recipe FAQs
How do you store fresh asparagus?
The best way to store fresh asparagus is to place the spears in a jar filled with a couple of inches of water. Pop this in the fridge (cover with a plastic bag as well if you like) and they’ll stay fresher for longer.
Do you have to peel asparagus before roasting?
No, you don’t have to peel fresh asparagus. Recipes usually only call for peeling if it’s being used in a shaved salad or as a pizza topping.
What are the best seasonings for roasted asparagus?
We’re keeping things simple here with oil and salt, but if you want to add more flavor here are some seasoning suggestions:
- For garlic roasted asparagus, toss the spears in 1 or 2 minced garlic cloves or use garlic powder instead.
- Add black pepper to complement the kosher salt.
- Roasted asparagus is often paired with freshly grated parmesan cheese, so shave some on top before serving if you like (about 2 tablespoons).
- Try za’atar seasoning.
- To serve, drizzle with fresh lemon juice and/or serve with lemon wedges.
- You can also drizzle with balsamic vinegar (to taste) before serving.
- Add some fresh herbs before serving as a garnish, like finely chopped mint or parsley.
- Opt for some heat instead and toss them with a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking.
- Another option is Italian seasoning before baking.
- Sprinkle the asparagus with toasted sliced almonds before serving.
What do you serve with roasted asparagus?
This baked asparagus recipe tastes delicious as a side dish with so many different mains, such as:
- Turkey On The Grill
- Crockpot Turkey Breast
- Butter Roasted Chicken
- Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Velvet Cream Sauce
- Pot Roast Recipe In A Crock Pot
If you’re serving your asparagus at Thanksgiving, pair it with some of these other side dishes:
- Southern Dressing With Cornbread
- Green Bean Casserole
- Honey Roasted Sweet Potato With Cinnamon
- Homemade Mashed Potatoes With Evaporated Milk
- Turkey Gravy
Finally, also tastes delicious when served for breakfast with a and some hollandaise sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Wash asparagus spears and break off the bottom two inches or so of each stalk.1 bunch asparagus
- Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.1-2 tablespoons olive oil, 1-2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Place in oven and cook asparagus for about 20 minutes, stirring once, until lightly brown on the edges.
“Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,
but the realization of how much you already have.”
~Anonymous
Submitted by Janet. Thank you, Janet!
Sue, don’t you just hate it when someone won’t share a recipe that you enjoy?! I think that’s just selfish. If someone enjoys something I’ve cooked enough to want the recipe, I gladly give it. It makes me feel great! Christy thanks for sharing so many of yours with us. In the summer when there’s a nice plentiful variety of veggies, I like to cut up all different kind (whatever you like), place them in a bowl with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, salt, pepper, basil and oregano, let it marinate for 1/2 an hour then spread them on a pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 40 mins. (more or less depending on how big the pile of veggies are). Stir them once or twice during cooking. As soon as the plate hits the table they disappear! Dennis, thanks for the tip of topping with Parmesan, I never thought of that, will try it next time.
Christy, after 57 yrs. of not eating asparagus, I discovered it in the past year. This recipe has become a regular in my home…my husband and I love it! I sometimes add 8 oz. whole mushrooms,quartered, and a little fresh ground black pepper. YUM! YUM! Makes a great side anytime, especially with a juicy steak! SO LOW CAL PLUS GOOD FOR YOU!!
Christy, I also marinate veggies with balsamic vinegar, squeeze of lemon, olive oil, garlic, onions, salt and pepper, then grill in oven or on BBQ grill, adding butter at that time. When doing the brussel sprouts I cut them in half first mmmmm mmmmmm good!
I have not ever been in the company of someone prepareing artichoke or eating one…any suggestions?
In addition to roasting, which I love, I also will boil mine just til I can insert a knife in the end. Then transfer to a long shallow dish. Add lemon juice and soy sauce to taste and referigerate. Toss gently a few times so that all the spears have a chance to “bathe” in the juice. Drain juice and serve cold. I do this early in the day so it has a chance to get good and cold. Also very good with green beans, broccoli or cauliflower florets, all served cold. Sometimes I add some toasted sesame seeds in as well. In the summer when the asparagus spears are thicker, try them on a well-oiled grill! Yum yum!
Asparagus has never been one of my favorites. I will try it this way. This is how I fix broccoli and cauliflower so next time I will do some asparagus…this method makes anything good…
another asparagus recipe that we love…….wrap each peice with bacon and roast on foil lined baking pan till asparagus is tender and bacon is cooked.