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Take roasted asparagus from basic to bold with lemon, garlic, and crispy shallots. This fuss-free baked side dish tastes like restaurant quality.
Try my Roasted Mushrooms and Baked Smashed Potatoes next!
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If you're looking to give roasted asparagus an aromatic glow up, this recipe is the way to go. Asparagus is roasted with fresh garlic, lemon, and thinly sliced shallots. It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor—a veggie side dish that actually steals the spotlight. It's the perfect way to enjoy asparagus during peak season when it's abundant and on sale! This recipe makes asparagus feel effortlessly elegant and pairs beautifully with just about any protein.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just 5 minutes of prep and a short bake time
- Naturally vegan, gluten-free, Whole30, keto, and vegetarian
- Works for dinner, lunch, breakfast, or brunch
- Great for meal prep—reheats well without getting soggy
- Simple enough for any skill level
- Minimal cleanup (just one pan!)
Key Ingredients
- Fresh asparagus – Any size works! Thinner spears cook faster and get crispier, while thick ones stay juicy. (See below for baking times by thickness.)
- Lemon – Baking lemon slices alongside the asparagus helps release their juices and adds bright, citrusy flavor.
- Shallot – A mild onion with natural sweetness. It turns golden and crispy in the oven, adding texture and depth.
- Garlic – Fresh chopped garlic infuses the asparagus with rich, savory flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Helps everything roast evenly and adds richness. Its high smoke point makes it ideal for oven baking.
- Salt and black pepper – Keep it simple! A good sprinkle of both brings out asparagus’s best flavor.
How to Roast Asparagus
I’ve tested all the common cook times for different asparagus sizes (see the next section), but the roasted asparagus recipe below is based on medium-sized asparagus baked at 400°F—my go-to method.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Trim or snap the woody ends from the asparagus (they snap naturally if you bend them near the base).
- Spread the asparagus, garlic, shallots, and lemon wedges on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat everything evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake 7-9 minutes until the asparagus is tender.
- Serve warm, with the roasted lemon squeezed over the top.
To store leftovers, let the asparagus cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
How Long to Bake Asparagus
Wondering how long to bake asparagus of various sizes? I’ve tested every size and the most common temperatures. Here’s a quick guide for tender asparagus with just the right amount of crisp:
Thin Asparagus (about ¼ inch thick)
- 350°F for 10 minutes
- 400°F for 5 minutes
- 450°F for 3–5 minutes
Medium Asparagus (about ⅓ inch thick)
- 350°F for 15 minutes
- 400°F for 7–9 minutes
- 450°F for 5–7 minutes
Thick Asparagus (about ½ inch thick)
- 350°F for 20 minutes
- 400°F for 15 minutes
- 450°F for 12–15 minutes
Recipe Tips
- Any size asparagus works—just adjust the cook time less for thinner asparagus and more for thicker asparagus.
- Rinse and dry the asparagus well for crispier texture outside.
- Try Meyer lemons for a sweeter, less acidic citrus flavor.
- For easier cleanup, line your sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
- This recipe is great warm or at room temperature, so it’s perfect for meal prep or serving on a platter.
- Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or crushed red pepper over your baked asparagus for even more flavor and texture.
Serving Ideas
- Greek Lemon Baked Chicken
- King Crab Legs with Garlic Butter
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Seared Sea Bass
- Skillet Pork Chops
- Broiled Salmon
- Garlic Butter Grilled Salmon
📖 Recipe
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon, Garlic, and Shallots
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Note about scaling
When scaling (2x or 3x), the light gray ingredient amount doesn’t scale. Please adjust those accordingly.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh Asparagus, tough ends removed
- 1 Lemon, quartered
- 1 Shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves Garlic, chopped
- Sea Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
This recipe is written for medium-sized asparagus baked at 400°F—my go-to method. Visit the recipe footnotes for variations.
- Preheat oven to 400°F and center your oven rack.
- Place ASPARAGUS, LEMON WEDGES, SHALLOT, and GARLIC on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle OLIVE OIL over everything and toss to coat. Sprinkle SALT and PEPPER over the vegetables.
- Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender-crisp to your liking.
- Serve asparagus warm with the LEMON wedges.
- To store, cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—trim or snap off the woody ends before baking. They’re tough and won’t soften in the oven.
Only if your asparagus is very thick and the skins feel fibrous. For most medium or thin spears, no peeling is needed.
I prefer to roast asparagus at 400°F for about 8 minutes. It's the sweet spot if you like medium spears with slightly crispy tips.
Don’t overcook them. Bake asparagus in single layer with a little space between each one.
Store cooled asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet, microwave, oven, or air fryer oven.
Heidi says
You made preparing perfectly seasoned asparagus so easy. I love the shallots and garlic paired with the olive oil and lemon juice. These flavors compliment the asparagus so wonderfully!
Traci says
Yay! I'm so glad you're a roasted asparagus fan and loving my recipe. I'm with you on all these flavors. Thanks for taking the time to let me know! xoxo
Lee Torrence says
This was the best asparagus recipe I've ever had! And so easy!
Traci says
Yay!! I'm so glad you're loving this recipe 🙂 Thank you for letting me know! xoxo
Jeff says
I already love roasted asparagus and the shallots and garlic add SO much texture and flavor. Lemon is the perfect final touch. Great recipe KG!
The Kitchen Girl says
I'm so glad you love roasted asparagus as much as I do 🙂
maryanne says
I love baked asparagus but I am never sure how long to bake it, so I really appreciate all of the detailed cooking instructions - super helpful!
The Kitchen Girl says
I'm glad to hear it, Maryanne! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Ana F. says
Oh my! This baked asparagus turned out delicious! So easy to make and so much flavor! Next time I'm going to add them to a grilled pizza! Thanks for the recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Ana! Glad you enjoyed them ... and I love the idea of adding the asparagus to grilled pizza YUMMM!
Diana Reis says
They look beautiful. I have local asparagus in my fridge and I'm going to try this out tonight. So looking forward to it.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Diana! Hope you love it like we do 🙂
Michelle says
Such a fresh and vibrant way to prepare asparagus!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks! Baked asparagus is probably our favorite way to enjoy it 🙂
Wanda says
Love asparagus season and all the recipes!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yes! I'm building my asparagus recipe collection 🙂 Thanks!
Lexa says
Great flavour and prepared in a heartbeat! Amazing recipe which easily fits in a busy schedule like mine!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yessss! Glad to hear it...thanks!!! 🙂
Renee says
Love the specific baking times for different size Asparagus. This is so good!
The Kitchen Girl says
Aww thanks Renee! Glad you're enjoying it 🙂 There's definitely a difference between cooking thick and thin asparagus.
Anjali says
Yummm!! I love asparagus - and roasting it in the oven is my favorite way to prepare it. Adding lemon and garlic just put it over the top!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Anjali! Glad you love roasted asparagus like we do. Agreed on the lemon 🙂 Thanks!
Beth says
Asparagus is our favorite vegetable. I love the addition of the lemon and shallots!
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks Beth! We do too! It makes roasted asparagus even more elegant 🙂
Beth says
This looks amazing and so delicious! Can’t wait to make these tonight! My family is going to love this recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
Great! Glad you can enjoy this one, Beth ... thanks!