Gluten-Free Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh asparagus, tough ends trimmed
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. 1 Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Trim the tough, woody ends from the fresh asparagus spears by snapping them or cutting them off with a knife, ensuring you have tender stalks ready for roasting.
2. 2 In a large bowl, toss the trimmed asparagus with the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Ensure each spear is evenly coated with the oil and seasonings, which will help them roast beautifully and develop a rich flavor.
3. 3 Spread the seasoned asparagus in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this will steam the asparagus instead of roasting it, preventing it from achieving that desirable crisp-tender texture and slight char.
4. 4 Roast the asparagus in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the spears are bright green and tender-crisp. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus spears; check for doneness by piercing a spear with a fork – it should yield with slight resistance.
5. 5 Once roasted to perfection, remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately drizzle the fresh lemon juice over the hot asparagus. Toss gently to distribute the bright, zesty flavor, and serve this delicious side dish warm.

Nutrition (per serving)

Tips & Notes

• Thin spears can be done in 7-10 minutes, thick ones closer to 15. Sort them by size and pull the thin ones first.
• Snap one spear to find where the woody end breaks, then cut the rest of the bunch at the same length.
• With thick spears, add the minced garlic for the last 5 minutes only. It can scorch at 400°F over a longer roast.

Common questions