Oven Roasted Asparagus is a dish that is so easy to make you will soon be purchasing only fresh asparagus. You do not need to buy asparagus in a can or even frozen. You can cook fresh because it is so easy to prepare.
The spring is the perfect time for fresh oven roasted asparagus. Asparagus is in the grocery store, and it is so often on sale during the spring.
It is the perfect time to try your hand at preparing asparagus for the first time. Armed with just a few tips on buying fresh asparagus you too can be making wonderful oven roasted asparagus.
Asparagus Buying Tips
Don’t just pick up the first bunch of asparagus you find in the store. Take care with a few pointers you can pick up a wonderful bunch of asparagus.
I always like to grab a bunch of asparagus and turn it over to look at the stems. If the steams are dry, put that bunch down. Better grocers store their asparagus upright in ice or water. You want asparagus that is fully hydrated.
Think of asparagus like a bunch of flowers. Now, there is a little trick you can do if the steams are a little dry, you can nip off the bottom 3/8 inch and then place the stems in water for about an hour or so and the stems will pull up the water.
I always like to look for thin stems. I want the tips of the asparagus to be nice and tight. The thin stems are more tender than the thicker stalks. If only the thicker stems are available, you can still use them, but be sure to trim off the woody portions. They will make a good soup.
Cooking tips for asparagus
Just before cooking asparagus you must prep it just a bit. I like to trim off the last two inches or so of the asparagus. If you want to be more scientific about where to cut the asparagus just give it a little bend and where it snaps in two pieces separates the more tender stalk.
If you want to be super fancy you can use a vegetable peeler, and peel the skin off the asparagus. This is a good thing to do if the stalks are on the thick side.
More Asparagus Recipes
Longhorn Steakhouse Encrusted Asparagus
Olive Garden Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
Oven Roasted Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prep asparagus by washing and trimming. Place asparagus on a baking sheet. Drizzle oil over asparagus. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top of asparagus. Bake asparagus for about 18 minutes, check for browning, if the spears are larger you may want to cook them for a few minutes more.
Barbara says
I drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with Simply Asia seasoning before roasting.
Rhonda says
I love roasted asparagus. I use olive oil, instead of vegetable oil, and I bake for an additional 5 minutes with Parmesan cheese added for the last 5 minutes…delicious!
Stephanie Manley says
Rhonda, that sound amazing!
Ginger Baxter says
This is the only way I make it anymore! amazing!
Coleen says
I love roasted asparagus — it’s the only way I eat it! So simple, yet so flavorful.
Stephanie Manley says
You are right about that. Thanks for dropping by!
Back For Seconds says
I love asparagus!! roasting veggies gives such nice flavor!
Stephanie Manley says
Roasting is becoming a new favorite way for me to prepare vegetables.
Stephanie Manley says
What is your favorite type of roasted vegetable?