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–+ servings
A vibrant platter of perfectly roasted lemon garlic asparagus, glistening with fresh herbs.

Zesty Lemon Garlic Asparagus

This easy and quick lemon garlic asparagus recipe transforms fresh spears into a vibrant, tender-crisp side dish in under 30 minutes. Zesty, healthy, and versatile, it's perfect for any meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Side Dish
Calories: 42
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus spears (about 1 bunch)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 fresh lemon (for zest and juice)

Equipment

  • large baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Garlic mincer or a sharp knife
  • Microplane or a small-holed cheese grater for zesting
  • tongs

Method
 

Prep Asparagus & Oven
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse the asparagus thoroughly under cool water, then gently pat them dry with a clean paper towel. To trim, simply snap off the dry or woody end of each stem; it will naturally break where the tough part ends (usually about one inch needs removing). Mince two cloves of garlic finely.
Season Asparagus
  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper if you desire easier cleanup. Place the trimmed asparagus directly onto the prepared baking sheet. Add the minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper over the asparagus. Use tongs or your clean hands to toss the asparagus gently until every spear is evenly coated in the oil, garlic, and seasonings.
Roast Asparagus
  1. Spread the seasoned asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet, ensuring they don't overlap too much for even cooking. Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated 400°F oven. Roast for 15-20 minutes. About halfway through cooking (around the 10-minute mark), give the asparagus a gentle toss with tongs. Continue roasting until the spears are tender-crisp, slightly browned, and fork-tender. Cooking time may vary based on the thickness of your asparagus.
Add Lemon Finish
  1. While the asparagus roasts, prepare your lemon. Using a microplane or the fine side of a box grater, zest about 1 teaspoon from the fresh lemon. After zesting, cut the lemon into wedges. Once the roasted asparagus comes out of the oven, immediately add the fresh lemon zest and squeeze a generous amount of fresh lemon juice over the top. Toss everything together one last time to coat. Taste and adjust the salt or lemon juice as desired. Serve your delicious lemon garlic asparagus immediately, garnished with the remaining lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.5gSodium: 50mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best results, use fresh, firm asparagus and avoid overcrowding the baking sheet for even roasting. This dish is best enjoyed immediately but can be stored for 3-4 days.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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