Roasted Lemon Asparagus

Name: Roasted Lemon Asparagus
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 14 min
Ingredients: 24 asparagus spears; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 lemon ((juice only)); 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper

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A light and bright side dish that is super easy to prepare. Roasted Lemon Asparagus takes just 12 minutes in the oven and only uses 5 ingredients (including seasoning). An impressive but simple side dish that is easy to cook in bulk and can even be done on the BBQ.

Roasted Lemon Asparagus on a serving dish next to a lemon

Roasted vegetables are the best way to enjoy vegetables in my opinion and this is one of my favourite roasted veggie side dishes. Crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. Perfect for the warmer months to eat along side grilled salmon or chicken, this is a healthy way to have a veggie boost, and still with plenty of flavour.

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Why should you try it?
Ingredients
Step by step
How to pick asparagus
Health benefits of asparagus
What to serve this with
FAQs
Extra tips
More side dish recipes
Recipe

Why should you try it?

A delicious way to enjoy asparagus
A one pan dish (less clean up)
Only 81 calories a portion
Can be prepared in advance
A great dish for a BBQ

Ingredients

Asparagus
Lemon
Oil
Salt and pepper

Step by step

One: Chop the woody ends off the asparagus.

A wooden chopping board with raw asparagus spears on it

Two: Lay the asparagus on a baking sheet and add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Add some slices of lemon on top.

A baking tray with asparagus spears and lemon slices

Three: Put in a preheated oven at 190C/375F/Gas 5 for 12 minutes, until the asparagus is tender.

How to pick asparagus

Before you even get to making this recipe, you want to make sure that you pick the perfect asparagus.

Try to pick the thinner asparagus, as the thicker ones can be more woody and overripe. You want them to be firm, and not limp and a nice bright green colour. Make sure the spears aren't wet and mushy - you are looking for them to be closed.

Health benefits of asparagus

Asparagus is a nutrient dense vegetable and definitely one you should be trying to include in your diet more often. It is high in fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K and packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Roasted asparagus spears and slices of lemon on a white and grey plate

What to serve this with

This such a versatile side dish, and we have lots of suggestions of recipes that it will pair beautifully with. If you love salmon, why not try this Creamy Dill Salmon or Lemon, Garlic and Rosemary Salmon.

Is chicken more your thing? Then it goes well with these Paprika Chicken Skewers, Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken, or Honey and Lime Chicken.

If vegetarian dishes are what you are looking for, then this side goes well with our Vegetable Halloumi Kebabs, Mushroom and Spinach Risotto, or Shakshuka.

A plate of cooked asparagus and lemon slices on a plate sat on a striped towel

FAQs

Can asparagus be prepared in advance?

Yes, and that's what makes it such a great dish for serving up at a dinner party. Mix everything together and lay it on your baking sheet and then keep it in the fridge until you are ready to put it in the oven. Note that it may need a few minutes extra to cook if coming out of the fridge.

How to store cooked asparagus

Roasted asparagus is a great batch cook dish, as it will store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Roast up a big tray of it and then keep in the fridge to add to meals throughout the week. It's a good addition to salads and pasta dishes for easy work lunches. Or even just to snack on.

Extra tips

Make this lemon asparagus a little more indulgent by by sprinkling over grated Parmesan just before serving.
You could also add some fresh crushed garlic before roasting.
You can prepare it in advance by mixing everything together, putting it on a baking tray and keeping it in the fridge until it is ready to go in the oven.

More side dish recipes

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