Delicately flavored and cooked to perfection, Broiled Asparagus is an excellent side dish that comes together in just 10 minutes. This is one of my favorite ways of making asparagus- it comes out of the oven so crisp and golden brown. What’s more, it is gluten-free, vegan, and super healthy too!
Whenever I’m making a protein, I almost always serve it with a grilled or baked veggie on the side. While my skillet-roasted broccoli and air fryer sliced potatoes are absolute favorites, I really wanted to try my hands at using another veggie.
And that’s when I tried out this asparagus recipe! It is one of my favorite ways of making it because it comes out of the oven so crisp and golden brown. This easy asparagus is a favorite in our house and will be in yours too!
Why You’ll Love This Broiled Asparagus Recipe
- Super healthy: Asparagus is chock full of fiber and vitamins, and is a great vegetable to have on your plate.
- Easy peasy: Broiling asparagus is the easiest way to enjoy the veggie. You barely need any prep time! Plus, you get to enjoy that nice char too!
- Versatile: From your pasta and rice dishes to your grilled meats and even soups- you can pair the broiled asparagus with almost anything.
- Customizable: You can also play around with the seasonings and sprinklings to bring in lots of different variations to the dish.
Ingredients
- Asparagus: Start with a couple of bunches of fresh asparagus.
- Olive oil: Use good quality olive oil, ideally extra virgin to coat the spears and make sure they don’t dry out while being cooked.
- Seasonings: Here’s where you can get creative- I used just some salt and pepper, but you can try using almost anything.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes or cayenne into the mix, and you’ve got yourself some delicious spicy broiled asparagus.
- Make it cheesy: Another good twist to try out is topping the spears with lots of grated Parmesan and making broiled asparagus with Parmesan.
- Make it lemony: A dash of lemon juice, squeezed onto the top before serving is another great citrusy twist you could lend the asparagus. For a bolder citrus flavor, use some lemon zest too!
- Make it garlicky: You could also try seasoning broiled asparagus with garlic powder or garlic salt to lend it a delicate and simple flavor.
How to Make Broiled Asparagus
Start by preheating your oven to broil and wrap a baking sheet with tin foil.
Step 1: Prep asparagus. In a resealable plastic bag, add the trimmed asparagus and olive oil. Shake well.
Step 2: Layer and season. Spread the spears in a single layer onto the baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Broil and rotate. Broil for 4 minutes, take out, shake the pan, or flip the spears over. Broil for 4-6 more minutes until they turn slightly brown.
Step 4: Serve. Top with grated cheese lemon juice or any of your favorite toppings and serve.
Hint: Keep an eye on the spears at the 8-minute mark. They can take anywhere between 8-12 minutes to cook, depending on how thick they are.
If you love fresh asparagus try this cold asparagus salad next! For more side dishes, try our delicious Jalapeno Creamed Corn recipe.
Storage
- Storing: Got some leftovers? Store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: You can reheat the broiled asparagus in oven by wrapping the spears in some kitchen foil and then popping it in for a few minutes, at 350 degrees.
- Freezing: While you can freeze your leftover broiled asparagus, I wouldn’t recommend it, as it can really ruin its flavor and texture. Just stick to making as much as you need and freeze uncooked asparagus if you have some extra.
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of this broiled asparagus recipe is the fact that you can team up the veggie with almost anything.
I love serving it as a side with my pasta dishes, especially my bang bang chicken pasta and my risotto pasta.
You can also feature the asparagus alongside a grilled or baked protein. I almost always make it whenever I’m making my air fryer honey garlic salmon or my air fryer jerk chicken.
Recipe Tips
- Pick right: When selecting fresh asparagus, look for firm spears with tight, compact heads that aren't dried out or droopy. Choose a bunch that is hearty and has a rich green color. Also, make sure that the spears are roughly the same size and thickness. Trim off any excess parts and peel the thicker spears, if needed.
- Broil just enough: The asparagus can quickly go from being perfectly brown to burnt, so make sure you get them out at just the right time.
- One layer: Make sure you arrange the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet. Overcrowding will cause the spears to cook unevenly, and they may take longer to cook too!
- Preheat right: Always make sure the oven is preheated before you pop in the baking sheet. The key to getting that perfect crispy char on the outside is to use high and fast heat.
- Less is more: Remember that when it comes to seasoning veggie side dishes, especially ones that are baked, air-fried, broiled, or cooked on a skillet, less is more. Use just a pinch or two of your seasonings, and let the flavor of the veggies shine through.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh asparagus can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Don't wash asparagus until you're ready to use it as water spoils the spears.
Asparagus needs to be used within 2-3 days, so if you don't plan on consuming it within that time frame, freeze it. First, blanch it, pop it in resealable freezer bags, and then freeze it for up to 6 months.
More Delicious Asparagus Recipes
Easy Broiled Asparagus Video
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Easy Broiled Asparagus
Equipment
Ingredients
Options
- lemon juice
- parmesan cheese, grated
- crushed red pepper flakes
- melted butter
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to about 4 inches from the upper heating element. Preheat oven to broil. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil.
- In a large resealable bag pour enough olive oil to just coat your asparagus and toss.
- Spread asparagus out on the tin foil covered baking sheet.
- Sprinkle asparagus with salt and pepper.
- Broil for 4 minutes, shake pan enough to move and rotate the asparagus.
- Broil 4-6 more minutes until asparagus is tender and lightly browned. A total of 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately. Try squeezing some lemon juice or parmesan cheese all over your asparagus after it is removed from the oven and placed on a serving plate, if desired.
Notes
- Pick right: When selecting fresh asparagus, look for firm spears with tight, compact heads that aren't dried out or droopy. Choose a bunch that is hearty and has a rich green color. Also, make sure that the spears are roughly the same size and thickness. Trim off any excess parts and peel the thicker spears, if needed.
- Broil just enough: The asparagus can quickly go from being perfectly brown to burnt, so make sure you get them out at just the right time.
- One layer: Make sure you arrange the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet. Overcrowding will cause the spears to cook unevenly, and they may take longer to cook too!
- Preheat right: Always make sure the oven is preheated before you pop in the baking sheet. The key to getting that perfect crispy char on the outside is to use high and fast heat.
- Less is more: Remember that when it comes to seasoning veggie side dishes, especially ones that are baked, air-fried, broiled, or cooked on a skillet, less is more. Use just a pinch or two of your seasonings, and let the flavor of the veggies shine through.
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