Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon is one of my favourite ways to enjoy this spring vegetable. In this recipe, asparagus spears are seasoned with garlic and roasted in the oven until tender and crispy then finished with fresh lemon – it’s a PCOS-friendly side dish that pairs perfectly with just about anything!

Keep reading for how to make this healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free, and no-sugar-added side dish…

MAKING EATING FOR PCOS EASY AND DELICIOUS WITH ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON…

There aren’t too many vegetables I don’t like and asparagus is always a springtime favourite. And I always look forward to seeing table after table of fresh, local asparagus at farmer’s markets, roadside produce stands and the grocery store. 

These days, I much prefer my asparagus roasted in the oven (grilled on the BBQ is a very close second) and this Roasted Asparagus recipe has become my go-to for a super quick and easy asparagus side dish that can pair with just about any dinnertime protein or carb. This recipe is all things flavourful, citrusy, crispy but tender and super delicious…

Roasted Asparagus with Lemon

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• Total Time: 15
• Yield: 4 1x

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb Asparagus (woody ends trimmed) 
• 1/2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)
• 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF (205ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Arrange the trimmed asparagus spears on the baking sheet and drizzle with the oil and season with the garlic powder and a generous shake of salt and pepper (to taste). Toss or roll the asparagus around to evenly coat in the oil and seasoning.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (for thin spears) or 12 to 15 minutes (for thicker spears) or just until the ends are fork-tender and the tips are crispy. 
4. Remove from the oven and drizzle with the lemon juice. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed then divide between plates.
5. Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Serve beside any protein (salmon, chicken, steak, pork chops, shrimp, sausages), pasta or rice dish. 

Keywords: asparagus, side dish, dinner, vegetable, roasted vegetable

HOW TO MAKE THIS PCOS-FRIENDLY ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC & LEMON RECIPE…

Here are some tips to help make great roasted asparagus… 

• Make sure to trim the woody ends off of each spear. The bottoms of the asparagus can sometimes take on the texture of a soggy twig (and even more so if your asparagus has been in the fridge for a couple of days) and nobody wants that so trim those off. You can cut the bottom couple of inches of the spear off with your knife or I like to snap them off with my hands. You do you. 
• Asparagus can cook quickly in the oven (and go from tender-crisp to overcooked mushy mess in a matter of minutes) so set a timer if you need to (I’ve learned this from experience!) and check for your desired doneness often. Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the spears so it’s best to find a bunch of asparagus that has spears of similar size for more even cooking.  
• I use garlic powder here instead of fresh garlic. I find fresh garlic in the oven can burn really easily or be a little too overpowering. Garlic powder, especially in recipes like this one, will not burn and can be a little more subtle. You can absolutely add other dried spices here – onion powder, smokey paprika, red pepper flakes or a touch of coriander would all be welcome additions to this side dish party. 
• Local is best if you can get your hands on it (the season for asparagus is so short – at least it is here in southern Ontario – so enjoy all of the asparagus while you can). 

OVEN-ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH GARLIC & LEMON RECIPE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is roasted asparagus PCOS-friendly? Is it good for you?

YES! Roasting vegetables is both a healthy and delicious way to enjoy more veggies on your plate. And because this recipe uses just a few simple ingredients like lemon and garlic powder, it’s absolutely a great choice if you’re eating to manage your PCOS. 

Can I make roasted asparagus ahead of time? Can I reheat it?

This roasted asparagus recipe is best when enjoyed immediately. Storing in the fridge and reheating will cause the spears to lose any crispiness, however, the flavour will be just as good so definitely save any leftovers for the next day.

If you are planning to make this ahead of time and reheat when needed be sure to reduce the time in the oven by a minute or two so your asparagus isn’t completely overcooked when you go to reheat it. 

I would not recommend freezing roasted asparagus. 

What goes with roasted asparagus?

Pretty much anything! I’ve served with proteins of all sorts – salmon, chicken, steak, pork chops, shrimp and sausages. I’ve also made this to go with pasta and rice dishes too.  You really can’t go wrong here.

MORE ABOUT THIS RECIPE FOR HEALTHY BAKED ASPARAGUS…

I really like side dish recipes like this one. 

Obviously, I have to say that because it’s my recipe and all and I did create it buuut there is much truth to that.

As a nutritionist, eating vegetables (and liking them…) is pretty much the name of the game and I am totally on board and here for it. 

I do think it can be really easy to fall into a rut when it comes to things like side dishes and getting more veggies onto your plate at mealtime. And just like anyone else, this veggie-obsessed nutritionist has been known to fall into a rut of boring, not-so-exciting vegetables for dinner too. 

When I’m in a rut like this, it usually looks something like boiled green beans one night, boiled broccoli the next, boiled carrots the night after that and then back to boiled broccoli. (I’m bored just typing that out!!) 

I really do believe that in order to eat to manage your PCOS symptoms and truly enjoy doing so and embrace it full on you’ve got actually like the food you are eating. Whether you’re new to making healthier food choices or you’ve been at it for a while now, if you’re NOT actually liking what you’re eating it’s really hard to stick with it despite wanting so badly to reach your health and wellness goals. 

And I think a big part of really enjoying what you are eating is being able to switch it up and add lots of variety and flavours and textures to your plate often. 

That’s why I love recipes like this one. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients, doesn’t take long to make, offers a much different taste and texture than a boiled or steamed veggie would and it’s packed with flavour. 

So if you are wanting to eat to manage your PCOS and your symptoms but are finding yourself in a bit of a rut (or maybe you want to add some extra flavour and pizzazz to your next dinner) definitely give this recipe a try! 

YUM!

I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE AS MUCH AS I DO! IF YOU GIVE THIS ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON RECIPE A TRY LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW AND BE SURE TO SHARE A PICTURE ON INSTAGRAM USING THE TAGS @ALWAYSNOURISHED. I LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU’RE COOKING!

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