Roasting asparagus is a straightforward and rewarding way to prepare this springtime favorite. Asparagus is at its peak now, boasting tenderness and a natural sweetness. The asparagus stalks I'm using was hand-picked from a friend's yard, offering a mix of sizes not typically found in stores. Roasting intensifies its flavor, giving it a delightful caramelization. Paired with the nutty richness of browned butter and the sweet acidity of balsamic, this dish is irresistibly delicious and tends to vanish quickly from the dinner table.
In this recipe, I'll roast fresh asparagus in the oven and complement it with a topping of brown butter infused with bay leaf and balsamic vinegar—a combination that truly sings. Let's prepare this healthy side dish!
This recipe is:
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- Low Carb
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- Gluten Free
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- Keto
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- Paleo
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- Vegetarian
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- Vegan
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- Dairy Free
Table of Contents
5 Reasons to Love This Oven-roasted Asparagus Recipe
I love this baked asparagus with butter because of these reasons:
- Quick and easy oven roasting method.
- The simple ingredients create a flavorful topping.
- Perfect for showcasing fresh spring asparagus.
- Very versatile side dish or appetizer.
- A delightful balance of savory, sweet and nutty flavors.
Is Roasted Asparagus Low-carb?
If you're wondering "Is Asparagus Low Carb?" then the answer is: Yes, roasted asparagus is incredibly low in carbs as asparagus is a non-starchy vegetable. Plus, this simple asparagus recipe contains 4g net carbs per serving, and thus is an ideal veggie side dish for a low-carb, keto-friendly main course.
Roasted Asparagus Ingredients List
You'll need the following ingredients to make the best oven roasted asparagus:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound asparagus, woody parts trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
If some of the ingredients are not in your pantry, go ahead and create the healthy asparagus recipe with these substitutes:
- Olive oil: Use avocado oil or coconut oil.
- Balsamic vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or mix red wine vinegar with a bit of honey to mimic balsamic vinegar's tangy flavor.
Additional Ingredients
I find that brown butter asparagus tastes much better with these wonderful additions:
- Nuts: This recipe loves toasted nuts. Lightly toast pine nuts, almonds, or broken cashews to release their oils then add to the roasted asparagus.
- Cheese: Parmesan asparagus is such a delight. Grate fresh parmesan cheese and sprinkle on the asparagus.
- Citrus: A squeeze of lemon juice or lemon zest adds brightness and delicious fragrance to the asparagus. You can also serve some lemon wedges with the final dish.
- Breadcrumbs: Add gluten-free breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Herbs: Basil, chives, chervil, arugula, fennel, garlic, rosemary, sage and other herbs will impart great aroma and flavors to the roasted asparagus.
Note: The additional ingredients are not part of the recipe or the nutrition value in the recipe card below.
Cooking Tools
You'll need the following tools for this simple asparagus recipe:
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Small saucepan
- Foil
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs
How to Make Oven-Roasted Asparagus: Step-by-step Guide
Cooking Method
- Oven-roasting
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C)
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Lay the trimmed asparagus on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus, then season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Gently mix with your hands or tongs, ensuring the asparagus is evenly coated and lying flat on the sheet.
Cooking Instructions
- Roast the asparagus in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes ( longer if the asparagus is particularly thick) until tender.
- To make the brown butter, heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add butter and bay leaf. Once the butter melts, reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the butter begins to foam and eventually brown.
- Remove the pan from the heat once the butter has browned.
- Let the butter cool slightly, then stir in the balsamic vinegar.
- Return the saucepan to high heat and cook until the mixture bubbles, stirring constantly to prevent the sugar in the balsamic vinegar from burning. Once bubbling, remove from heat immediately.
- Pour the brown butter and balsamic mixture over the roasted asparagus on the baking sheet and gently mix with tongs.
Step 1: Coat the asparagus with oil, salt and pepper. That’s all we need to start roasting.
Step 2: While the asparagus is roasting, let’s start to make the brown butter. I like some bay leaf in mine- it adds just a little extra flavor.
Step 3: Make sure that your heat isn’t too high under the butter. This is the color we want, but the pan will carry-over cook once the heat is off and continue to brown (or burn) the butter.
Step 4: After the butter has browned, allow it to cool. Add in the balsamic vinegar and bring to a boil quickly over high heat. Continue to stir well so the sugar doesn’t burn to the pan.
Step 5: Remove the roasted asparagus from the oven. It should be tender and delicious. Check one to make sure that it is cooked to your preferred level.
Step 6: Pour the brown butter and balsamic sauce right onto the baking sheet with the roasted asparagus. Mix lightly with some tongs and serve hot.
💡 My Pro Tip
Browned butter is incredibly delicious, but achieving the perfect result can be a bit tricky. It's crucial to start with a pan that's not too hot. Also, remember that butter retains heat, so even after removing it from the stove, it will continue to cook. Keep a close watch to prevent the butter from burning—controlling the pan's temperature is key.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Prep the asparagus ahead by washing and trimming.
- Pre-measure and mix the brown butter ingredients in advance.
- Line the baking pan with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Set the oven to preheat while you prepare other ingredients.
What to Serve with Roasted Asparagus?
Oven roasted asparagus is a perfect side dish that goes well with various meals like:
- Smothered pork chops: The smoked and savory flavors of these pork chops make the roasted asparagus ideal as a side dish.
- Chipotle chicken: The roasted asparagus is a fine accompaniment to the delicious Southwestern flavors in the chipotle chicken.
- Creamy chicken cordon bleu: You will enjoy the delicious flavor of the cheesy goodness of cordon bleu when paired with roasted asparagus.
- Porterhouse Steak: For a classic steakhouse experience, serve roasted asparagus alongside a juicy porterhouse steak, creating a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Pork Burgers: Pair roasted asparagus with pork burgers for a delightful contrast of savory and earthy flavors, adding a touch of elegance to your burgers.
Note: Roasted asparagus is an impeccable side dish option. Pair it with any heavy meal of your liking. The options on this list are a few but you can experiment with any of your favorite meal!
Storage and Reheating
Storage
- Transfer your leftover roasted asparagus to an airtight container and refrigerate for 4 to 5 days.
Freezing
- Only blanched asparagus freezes well. Do not freeze roasted asparagus as it loses its nice crunchy texture when thawed. If you have too many leftovers to use up in a few days, add them to other recipes like omelette or frittata.
Reheating
- Reheat your roasted asparagus in the oven at 350°F (176°C) until heated through.
Recipe Conclusion
Roasting asparagus is one of my top ways to prepare this delicate spring vegetable. If you're not a fan of brown butter, try tossing the asparagus with olive oil and balsamic or lemon juice before roasting—the high acidity complements the asparagus beautifully.
Grilled asparagus is another favorite of mine—it's quick and wonderfully simple.
Try this roasted asparagus recipe and share your feedback with me in the comments section. Do you have a unique twist on roasted asparagus? Share it with me and I will love to try your take on the classic!
More Side Dish recipes:
Want to try more vegetable side dish ideas? I have plenty of options to try!
FAQs
Your asparagus will not lose its nutrients if you keep the cooking time short and avoid prolonged high-heat cooking. Also, aim for vibrant green color.
You either overcooked the asparagus, overcrowded the baking sheet, used too little oil or seasoning, or roasted them at a low oven temperature.
Asparagus can taste bitter if it's overcooked or if you're using older, more mature stalks. Adjusting your cooking time and choosing fresher asparagus can help reduce the bitterness.
Snap off the tough ends of asparagus spears or trim them with a knife to prepare them for roasting evenly.
Roasting Asparagus 🔥
Ingredients
Roasted Asparagus Ingredients List
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 pound asparagus woody parts trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Gather all the tools and ingredients for this recipe.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C)
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Lay the trimmed asparagus on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus, then season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Gently mix with your hands or tongs, ensuring the asparagus is evenly coated and lying flat on the sheet.
Cooking Instructions
- Roast the asparagus in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes ( longer if the asparagus is particularly thick) until tender.
- To make the brown butter, heat a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add butter and bay leaf. Once the butter melts, reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring until the butter begins to foam and eventually brown.
- Remove the pan from the heat once the butter has browned.
- Let the butter cool slightly, then stir in the balsamic vinegar.
- Return the saucepan to high heat and cook until the mixture bubbles, stirring constantly to prevent the sugar in the balsamic vinegar from burning. Once bubbling, remove from heat immediately.
- Pour the brown butter and balsamic mixture over the roasted asparagus on the baking sheet and gently mix with tongs.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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Lorena says
You really love food, don't you? You write about asparagus like most poets about a woman. WOW!! Now, the only thing I can think of is roasted asparagus with perfectly browned butter and I have neither in my fridge and I could cry!
Scott Groth says
Hi Lorena:
I do love food. Sometimes I get frustrated because I can't find the right words to describe just how good something truly tastes. The funny thing is that your site was recommended to me today as a site that I should be following because of the awesome stories and writing. I took some time and read a bunch of posts toady- I love it! You've got a new huge fan.
Hope that you're having an awesome day in the kitchen-
Take care, Scott
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
Hi Scott,
Saw you on Pinterest and thought I'd pop over for a little inspiration. This is my favorite veggie and I absolutely LOVE what you've done with it. Great flavors and I need a bite of that deliciousness right now. Great photos, too! Love the blog - I'll be following 🙂
Scott Groth says
Hey Robyn:
Thank you for your beautiful thoughts. Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies and my kids love them too.
Have a great day in the kitchen!
Scott
sippitysup says
Simple and perfect! GREG
Scott Groth says
Hi Greg:
Couldn't have said it better myself - absolutely delightful. Thank you for sharing.
Take care,
Scott
Cara Sugardale says
Greg said it right- simple and perfect. Can't wait until the thin spring asparagus comes out soon!
Scott Groth says
Hi Cara:
You and I both. I love having roasted asparagus with some steak or pork burgers.
Thank you for posting.
Have an awesome day in the kitchen!
Scott