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!
To extend the life of asparagus, remove from plastic bag and metal tie holding bunch together and stand up in a jar/pitcher with an inch or two of water. I find a wide mouth quart jar heavy enough not to tip over. If needing to store horizontally, remove plastic bag, wet a couple of paper towels and completely cover the lower third and pull bag over just the damp part. The veg should last at least a week. Ditto for parsley or cilantro. I’m sure the closer to harvest they are cosumed ensure optimum nutrient availability. we shop with good intentions, and many of mine sit around.
Love asparagus but please don’t over cook and make mushy. Fresh is best Not canned!! Best is roasted or grilled especially wrapped with bacon or thin sliced deli ham. Roasted asparagus cooled and cut up is delicious in salads as well. Would love to have some of my grandmother’s creamed asparagus with toast points–need her recipe.
Ohhh, I bet the creamed asparagus is good!
ASPARAGUS- PILLSBURY JUST CAME OUT WITH A BEAUTY OF A RECIPE FOR ASPARAGUS…….FOR EASTER.
Crack the ends off……..1 can of cresent rolls (any brand)…………cut each roll in three strips……..
Roll a strip around each spear………
Option…you can spread a garlic cream cheese spread on the dough before you
before you cut them in strips……………….
Oven 375……….ungreased pan for 15 to 20 min……………..
Do not cook the Asparagus first……..They turn out cooked to perfection and look like you slaved over the rescipe…………….
I brought them for Easter to a dinner and used 2 pounds ………….
ALL GONE………………!!!!!
(i PRINTED OUT THE RECIPE………I KNEW I WOULD NEED THEM AND I DID)!
Joyous (born in NC)
Oh goodness that sounds delicious!!!
Roasted is my favorite way to cook asparagus. If you should by some leftover in a nearly impossible happening-try cutting it into 2 inch pieces and tossing it in cooked and drained pasta, any variety. Add a bit more butter and/or olive oil, garlic powder or fresh minced garlic and a sprinking of parmesan cheese. A lovely luncheon dish! Another good way to roast it is the same as your basic direction, but take three whole spears ibn a little bundle and spiral wrap a strip of bacon around and roast as usual till bacon has crisped.
So far we have never had any left-over Elaine. I will have to try it though!
My family loves asparagus. We have only been eating this for the past couple of years though because like you said, it was one of those veggies that we didn’t know what to do with. My son ate some at a steak house and fell in love with it, so he wanted me to try it. So now, when we grill it is a must for everyone, and like someone mentioned above, we sprinkle steak seasoning on it when we grill it. I roasted it in the oven last week, and it was delicious too.
LOL, you are so funny! Just the other day, I roasted asparagus for the first time ever and it was good! Just snapped ’em like you done. Then I threw ’em in a baggie with olive oil and Everglades seasoning. They were tasty and if I didn’t already have another veggie(roasted green beans and mushrooms), I would have eaten them all too! They are pretty tasty for sure!
I always use olive oil cooking spray for roasting…really brings down the calories!
Great idea Laura!!
I sure have enjoyed fresh asparagus this year, cheaper here in AR than canned. I do it exactly like you but place plastic wrap over the top of a microwaveable baking dish, with one small open space, and cook for four or five minutes.