The perfect Roasted Asparagus with Lemon is a simple, minimal, delicious side dish to add to any meal all year round. With the fresh, clean taste of sliced lemons, drizzled in olive oil, asparagus makes a perfect pairing with a hint of sea salt and freshly cracked peppercorns.
In ancient cultures, asparagus was thought of as an aphrodisiac? Regardless of its powers to put you in the mood or not, this succulent, savory vegetable has a stimulating blend of nutrients, making this delicious vegetable a top-notch food for your health.
Asparagus is high in anti-inflammatory nutrients and provides various antioxidant nutrients, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and zinc, manganese, and selenium, based on San Diego-based nutritionist Laura Flores research.
Other findings are that the vegetable asparagus contains the amino acid asparagine and chromium, a trace mineral that helps insulin do its job transporting glucose. It’s rich in glutathione, a detoxifying compound that can help destroy carcinogens. For this specific reason, it is believed asparagus may help fight or protect against certain cancers.
Here are some other interesting facts for you to ponder:
-
It has been said Asparagus was first cultivated about 2,500 years ago in Greece.
-
The Greeks believed asparagus was an herbal medicine that would cure toothaches and prevent bee stings.
-
Galen, a second-century physician, described asparagus as “cleansing and healing.” Claims for the medicinal benefits of asparagus persist to this day.
-
The Romans were fond lovers of asparagus and grew it in their high-walled courtyards.
-
The top states for producing asparagus are California, Washington, and Michigan.
-
Asparagus is a member of the lily family.
-
Under ideal conditions, an asparagus spear may grow to be 10 inches in 24 hours.
-
After harvesting of Asparagus, the spears grow into ferns, which produce red berries and the food and nutrients necessary for a healthy and productive crop the next season.
-
An asparagus planting is usually not harvested for the first three years after the crowns are planted, allowing the crown to develop a strong fibrous root system.
-
A well-cared-for asparagus planting will generally produce for about 15 years without being replanted.
-
The larger the diameter, the better the quality- I prefer the pencil-thin variety.
Ingredients needed for Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
-
Two pounds fresh pencil-thin asparagus
-
1/2 tablespoons of olive oil
-
Coarse sea salt, to taste
-
Freshly cracked peppercorns, to taste
-
Zest of 1 lemon
-
Two lemons thinly sliced.
Method
-
Raise oven the racks to the upper-middle level in the oven
-
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
-
You will want to trim your fresh asparagus – If you are unsure about how to go about this task, I have a super simple method for you to use. When you bend an asparagus spear, one of the 7 wonders of the world happen, It snaps at exactly the spot where the tough stalk meets the tender spear. I like to work smart in my kitchen, not hard, so I grab several spears at once, grasping the stems in one hand and the bottoms in the other.
-
Rinse off the asparagus and be sure to pat dry.
-
Arrange 2 pounds of pencil-thin asparagus on a metal baking sheet, add 1/2 of a tablespoon of melted olive oil to fresh asparagus, add coarse sea salt, freshly cracked black peppercorns to taste, and zest of one lemon.
-
Lightly toss to coat the 2 pounds of fresh asparagus evenly. Arrange asparagus once again and place thinly sliced lemon slices on top of in an even pattern.
-
Place asparagus in a 425-degree oven for 8-12 minutes or till you notice a nice lightly browned roasted asparagus. – I prefer 9 minutes in my oven.
-
Remove from oven immediately and place in serving dish – you may add a touch of freshly squeezed lemon juice if desired.

Perfect Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh pencil-thin Asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- sea salt to own taste
- freshly cracked black pepper to own taste
- 1 lemon zested
- 2 lemons thinly sliced
Instructions
- Raise oven the racks to the upper-middle level in the oven
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
- You will want to trim your fresh asparagus – If you are unsure about how to go about this task, I have a super simple method for you to use. When you bend an asparagus spear, one of the 7 wonders of the world happen, It snaps at exactly the spot where the tough stalk meets the tender spear. I like to work smart in my kitchen, not hard, so I grab several spears at once, grasping the stems in one hand and the bottoms in the other.
- Rinse off the asparagus and be sure to pat dry.
- Arrange 2 pounds of pencil-thin asparagus on a metal baking sheet, add 1/2 of a tablespoon of melted coconut oil to fresh asparagus, add coarse sea salt, freshly cracked black peppercorns to taste, and zest of one lemon.
- Lightly toss to coat the 2 pounds of fresh asparagus evenly. Arrange asparagus once again and place thinly sliced lemon slices on top of in an even pattern.
- Place asparagus in a 425-degree oven for 8-12 minutes or till you notice a nice lightly browned roasted asparagus. – I prefer 9 minutes in my oven.
- Remove from oven immediately and place in serving dish – you may add a touch of freshly squeezed lemon juice if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Suggested recipes
- Southern Milk and Honey Corn on The Cob will be one of the best corn on the cob recipes you will have ever tried this season, hands down; made with delicious Florida sweet corn, simmered in whole milk, organic honey, unsalted butter, and seasoned to perfection
- Southern Black-eyed peas, cooked down with the Holy Trinity, ham, Andouille sausages, ham hock, and Cajun seasonings, served over white rice, make for a traditional southern meal any time of the week or just on the New Year Holiday.
© Heidy L. McCallum and The McCallum’s Shamrock Patch 2021-2013 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material or photos without express and written permission from this blog’s author/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Heidy L. McCallum and The McCallum’s Shamrock Patch with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. You may not copy and paste recipes to share on Social Platforms.
14 Comments
Dublin Lawyer | The McCallum's Shamrock Patch
March 2, 2021 at 12:10 pm[…] To serve this wonderful recipe, we usually serve it with Traditional Soda Bread and a beautiful green vegetable such as asparagus. […]
Culinary Flavors
January 23, 2015 at 12:50 amI used to hate asparagus now I love them! These roasted ones are perfect!
hmccallum
November 10, 2020 at 1:21 pmThank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Moore or Less Cooking Food Blog
January 2, 2015 at 6:13 pmI adore roasted asparagus!! Looks delicious! Nettie
Heidy L. McCallum
January 2, 2015 at 10:53 pmThanks Nettie ! I love asparagus with lemon!
homemadefoodjunkie
January 1, 2015 at 10:23 pmWe LOVE Asparagus and grow a plot. Can’t wait to try this way of fixing it! Love the fun facts too! Thanks Heidy.
Heidy McCallum
May 21, 2018 at 12:04 amThank you, I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Sorry for the late response.
Vickie
January 1, 2015 at 8:27 pmMmmm… this sounds so good! We will be planting some asparagus this next spring and I sure hope it does well. Thanks for your recipe!
Heidy McCallum
May 21, 2018 at 12:05 amThank you, Vickie, glad you liked the recipe.
Nicole Neverman
January 1, 2015 at 8:23 pmThank you so much for attending week 15 of #PureBlogLove and linking your fantastic blog post. What a delicious way to prepare asparagus. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for our party next week Thursday 8 PM EST- Sundays at midnight. Your post has been added to the #PureBlogLove Pinterest board for all to see 🙂 Have a great day!
Nicole
KC Kahn the Kitchen Chopper
January 1, 2015 at 6:38 pmHappy New Year Heidy! I love roasted asparagus and yours looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing healthful dish with everyone! Pinned, YUM’d, SU’d.
Heidy L. McCallum
January 1, 2015 at 7:01 pmHappy New Year KC! Thanks so much for stopping by!
The Foodie Affair
January 1, 2015 at 6:36 pmI love asparagus! Simply delicious when they’re roasted!
Heidy L. McCallum
January 1, 2015 at 6:58 pmThanks Sandra! Happy New year’s!