Asparagus is the perfect side dish for many mains (especially salmon and chicken). But knowing how long to bake it for is essential to ensuring an all-around satisfying meal.
You should bake asparagus in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes at 425°F. You can use a fork to test for doneness or watch for the visual cues — bright green coloring, crisp-tender stalks and light browning/charring on the tips. If you prefer crispier asparagus, bake for 15 minutes, for just-done stalks, try 10 minutes.
That's the most important bit out of the way, but there's a lot more to learn about baking asparagus below.
4 Expert Tips for Baking Asparagus at 425°F
Alongside the appropriate trimming and seasoning instructions, these asparagus baking tips will ensure perfection every single time.
1. Leave Room in the Pan
Regardless of the vegetable you're roasting, don't give in to the temptation of completely crowding the baking sheet. They need space to ensure even cooking and maximum tenderness.
2. Keep an Eye on the Time
Overcooked asparagus is mushy and unappetizing. Not to mention that it can burn!
Avoid that by keeping an eye on the time.
3. Be Generous with the Oil
The spear needs a thin coating on all sides. Without enough oil on the tips, they'll burn and ruin the dining experience. You don't have to worry too much about using olive oil, even if you're on a calorie-restrictive diet — roasting is one of the healthiest ways to cook this vegetable and olive oil is essential for taste.
4. Use a Fork to Measure Doneness
Aside from the visual cues, you can use a fork to test whether the asparagus is done. As soon as you can pierce the stalks easily with a fork, they're ready to come out.
How to Trim Asparagus
Each asparagus stalk sports a woody end that you'll need to remove before baking. However, where this starts and stops varies from stalk to stalk.
There are two ways to trim them. One comes with a lot more waste than the other.
- Knife trimming — This is the fastest method, but you'll end up with unnecessary waste. Hold the whole bunch of asparagus in one hand (particularly easy when they're still bunched together) and cut the ends off about one and a half inches from the bottom.
- Bend and break — While slower, you won't be left with any unnecessary waste. Hold the top of the asparagus stem in one hand, gripping near the base with the other. Bend it quickly, and it will snap in the perfect place.
I prefer the bend-and-break trimming method. It takes a little longer than trimming them with a knife, but you won't be throwing perfectly good asparagus away or risking uneven tenderness.
How to Season Asparagus
Salt and pepper will work wonders to elevate the natural tastes offered by asparagus. However, don't be afraid to experiment. The naturally delicate taste leaves a load of room for adding flavors, such as:
- Parmesan — Just before you serve the asparagus, sprinkle it with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Alternatively, sprinkle it on and put it back in the oven for a minute for a melted effect. You don't have to stick to Parmesan, either; go crazy and try out different cheeses.
- Lemon — Before putting the asparagus in the oven, add a thinly sliced lemon to the baking sheet. Finish it with an extra squeeze of lemon and zest after roasting.
- Spices — Add red pepper flakes for asparagus with a kick. You can even combine this with Parmesan or lemon juice.
- Balsamic — During the last three to four minutes of cooking, drizzle the asparagus with one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for a unique result.
- Herbs — You can make any herb with asparagus. Just make sure you put dried herbs on before cooking and fresh herbs on afterward. Our favorite dried herbs include basil, Italian seasoning, and oregano. After cooking, add some parsley for a refreshing touch.
- Garlic — Chop a few garlic cloves and add them to the pan. Alternatively, toss the asparagus in garlic powder before cooking.
- Nuts — Top asparagus with a few sprinkles of toasted almonds, chopped toasted pecans or pine nuts for an earthy taste.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Asparagus
Asparagus can keep for a surprisingly long time and be reheated without going soggy with the right methods.
Storing
Storing cooked asparagus is easy. All you need to do is put the leftover spears in an airtight container, such as a freezer bag or plastic food container.
If you don't have a container to hand, wrap the spears tightly in plastic wrap or heavy-duty aluminum foil. This will prevent the spread of bacteria.
Asparagus stored this way will remain fresh in the fridge for three to five days.
Freezing
Ideally, you should freeze any leftover asparagus before you cook them, so that's the method we're recommending here. There are a few steps but freezing the vegetable can be a lifesaver for asparagus-lovers when the season is over.
- Blanch — Cook the stalks in boiling water for two to five minutes before transferring them to a bowl of ice water to impede cooking. This will ensure they keep their texture and color during freezing.
- Flash freeze — Place the asparagus on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. There should be an inch or two of space between each stem. Put the tray in the freezer for one or two hours until each spear is solid. This will stop them from sticking together in the freezer bag.
- Store — Transfer your frozen stalks into an airtight container or a bag labeled with the date. They should keep in the freezer for eight to twelve months.
Reheating
To stop it going soggy, try a dry heat method of reheating. Sautéing or roasting should do the trick, warming the stems through without turning into a mushy mess.
The Easiest Baked Asparagus Recipe
How Long to Bake Asparagus at 425 F
Learn how long to bake asparagus at 425°F with our easy-to-understand guide and get some expert tips for perfect asparagus.
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425°F.
- Snap (or cut) the dry ends off the asparagus.
- Spread the asparagus out on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
- Toss the asparagus to ensure it's coated evenly.
- Sprinkle the asparagus with salt and pepper.
- Place the asparagus on the top rack of the oven.
- Roast for ten to 15 minutes. If you like the asparagus just cooked through, stick to ten minutes. If you like crispy ends, bake for 15 minutes.
- Serve as a side with your favorite mains (or other side dishes).
Notes
- Feel free to add extra toppings like parmesan cheese, lemon, chili, herbs, and more.
- Asparagus goes well with almost anything, but if you're having trouble deciding, here are some recommendations: barbecue baked chicken thighs, bavette steak, buttery fish with crisped skin, vegetable pesto pasta, chicken breast with garlic butter, truffle mushroom and leek risotto, stuffed bell peppers, skillet burgers, baked furikake salmon, creamy parmesan polenta, chicken katsu, corn and zucchini fritters, turkey pesto sliders, teriyaki salmon, teriyaki chicken, chicken burgers, mashed potatoes, or balsamic glazed chicken.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 112Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 323mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 6g
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