This lemon asparagus in the oven is a quick and easy side dish. With just 5 ingredients and 20 minutes, this delicious roasted asparagus is great for almost any meal!
This post was originally published in March 2021 and has been updated for content.
Asparagus is one of my favorite spring time vegetables. During peak season, in April and May, they are especially delicious because they are thin, tender and full of flavor.
This lemon asparagus is so easy to make and goes great alongside roast chicken, grilled steaks or panko crusted salmon.
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🍋 Ingredient notes
- Asparagus - Choose asparagus that is thin as it tends to be more tender and has better flavor. They should be a rich green color that fades to white towards the bottom of the stalks. Make sure they are firm to the touch and not soft or shriveled.
- Lemon - Both lemon juice and zest are used to flavor this recipe. The zest of the lemon is used to flavor the asparagus for roasting and then the lemon juice is squeezed on after roasting for an additional fresh flavor.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Cheese - Sprinkle roasted lemon asparagus with finely shredded parmesan cheese.
- Spicy - Add ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the asparagus before roasting.
🔪 Step by step instructions
First, wash and trim the asparagus and place them on a sheet pan that is lined with parchment paper or foil.
Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Zest the entire lemon and sprinkle the zest all over the asparagus.
Roast the asparagus in the oven at 350˚ for 10-15 minutes or until the asparagus are tender and lightly browned. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the roasted asparagus and serve!
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⭐ Expert tips
- Make sure to chop off the last inch or two of the the ends of the asparagus. Sometimes they can be tough and woody and it's best to not use them.
- Just roast the asparagus in the oven until they are tender and lightly browned. Depending on the actual size of the asparagus, roasting times my vary.
💭 Frequently asked questions
If your asparagus have been sitting in the fridge too long, they may wilt a bit. The best way to firm them up is to trim off the bottom inch of the stalks and place them in a couple of inches of water. Place a plastic bag over the top of the stalks and let them sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
The bottom pale parts of the stalks of asparagus tend to be tough and woody. You don't have to trim them off, but it's best to, as it is not the best tasting.
🥘 Alternative cooking methods
- Grill - This lemon asparagus can be cooked on the grill or a grill pan over medium heat for about 7-10 minutes until the asparagus is tender and lightly browned.
- Pan sear - Cook the seasoned lemon asparagus in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat for approximately 8-12 minutes until lightly browned and tender.
- Air Fryer - Place seasoned lemon asparagus in the air fryer and cook at 325˚ for 8-12 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
⏲️ Make ahead instructions
The asparagus can be washed, trimmed and seasoned and stored on the prepared sheet pan, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator up to 2 days ahead of time. Following roasting directions as listed.
🥡 Storage suggestions
Leftover lemon asparagus will keep for 3-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator and can be heated up in the microwave, in a pan on the stovetop or in the oven until heated through.
🥗 More vegetable side dishes
If you loved this easy lemon asparagus recipe, check out these other vegetable side dishes that I know you will love too!
- Easy Grilled Italian Zucchini
- Roasted Artichokes with Parmesan
- Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
- Green Beans with Bacon
📖 Recipe
Lemon Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 whole lemon zest and juice only
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375˚ and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Wash asparagus and trim off the bottom 1-2 inches of the stalks and discard.
- Place asparagus on the prepared sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Zest and juice the lemon and sprinkle the zest on the asparagus. Set aside lemon juice for later.
- Roast asparagus in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until asparagus is tender and slightly browned.
- Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the asparagus and serve.
Notes
- Choose asparagus that is thin as it is more tender and has better flavor. They should be a rich green color that fades to white towards the bottom of the stalk. Make sure they are firm to the touch and not soft or shriveled.
- If the asparagus is wilted, cut off the bottom inch of the stalks and place them in a couple of inches of water. Place a plastic bag over the top of the stalks and let them sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours to firm up a bit.
- Chop off the last inch or two of the the ends of the asparagus. Sometimes they can be tough and woody and it's best to not use them.
- Just roast the asparagus in the oven until they are tender and lightly browned. Depending on the actual size of the asparagus, roasting times my vary.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cheese - Sprinkle roasted asparagus with finely shredded parmesan
- Spicy - Season the asparagus with ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes before roasting.
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Grill - This lemon asparagus can be cooked on the grill or a grill pan on medium heat for 7-10 minutes until the asparagus is tender and lightly browned.
- Pan sear - Cook the seasoned lemon asparagus in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat for approximately 8-12 minutes until lightly browned and tender.
- Air Fryer - Place seasoned lemon asparagus in the air fryer and cook at 325˚ for 8-12 minutes until tender and lightly browned.
Katie Youngs
Such an easy and delicious way to make asparagus!
Amanda
Thanks katie! sometimes simple recipes have the best flavor 🙂