This Garlic Lemon Asparagus is a simple, elegant, tasty side dish. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any weeknight dinner!
Side dishes are meant to be fast, simple, and tasty. This recipe for garlic lemon asparagus ticks all three boxes!
This garlicky asparagus is so simple yet full of flavor. The citrus adds a beautiful brightness to the dish and the garlic adds some zing. Asparagus is one of those vegetables that truly takes on the flavors of citrus and garlic quite nicely, especially when roasted.
You may also be interested in learning how to cook Grilled Asparagus in Foil.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]🍋 Ingredient notes
You only need a few ingredients to make this vegetable side dish:
- asparagus – you'll need one bunch. Look for thin asparagus versus thicker stems. Thin asparagus roasts up quickly and truly takes on the lemon and garlic flavors.
- olive oil – use a high quality extra virgin olive oil
- lemon – fresh lemon juice adds a brightness to the dish
- garlic – We use three cloves, but you can add more or less, to your liking.
- kosher salt – the bigger flakes stick nicely to the vegetables and distribute bigger flavor than table salt
- ground black pepper – simply a bit for balance
As far as equipment goes, you simply need a baking sheet and aluminum foil.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
- Simple toss ingredients together on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Then bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes. It's that simple!
See the recipe card below for full detailed ingredient quantities and instructions.
🍽 Serving ideas
This garlicky asparagus is typically served as a side dish. However, there are ways We have enjoyed this as a main course.
As a side dish, this asparagus recipe shines with poultry. It's great for Thanksgiving with Citrus Herb Turkey Breast. Or enjoy it with everyday meals like Roast Chicken, For Christmas, serve this asparagus side dish alongside Cranberry Meatballs or Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb.
It also is amazing with pasta dishes, like Bacon Shrimp Pasta, Pressure-cooker Tuscan Chicken, and Crab and Corn Fettuccine.
For an all-vegan or all-vegetarian crowd, serve this garlic lemon asparagus with Creamy Pasta with Crispy Mushrooms, Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo, or Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese.
🥂 Wine pairings for asparagus
The citrus and garlic zing of this dish pair beautifully with a dry, bright white wine with lively acidity. Go for a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, or Pinot Gris.
More recipes for entertaining at home
- Cranberry Stuffing with Wild Rice, Cherries, and Pecans
- Small Thanksgiving Dinner at Home
- Green Beans with Bacon and Shallots
- Mushroom Marsala
- Skillet Apple Cranberry Crisp
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Garlic Lemon Asparagus
By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 15 mins Servings: 6 servings Garlicky asparagus with bright citrus lemon is a tasty side dish that is quick and simple!Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare a baking tray lined with aluminum foil.
- Place trimmed asparagus on top of foil. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice, then top with garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and distribute garlic evenly among the asparagus.
- Bake at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes, simply until the asparagus is tender and slightly deeper in color. Serve immediately.
Notes
Grocery tip: When selecting asparagus at the store, look for thin asparagus. The flavors of this dish shine more with thin asparagus, and the thicker asparagus take longer to cook and flavors don't infuse as well. Storage tip: Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.Nutrition
Calories: 61 kcal, Carbohydrates: 4 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3 g, Sodium: 196 mg, Potassium: 169 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 2 g, Vitamin A: 568 IU, Vitamin C: 9 mg, Calcium: 22 mg, Iron: 2 mgNutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.