This easy oven-roasted low-carb asparagus recipe is great to serve any time of the year. Elevate the flavors with salty parmesan shavings and a drizzle of homemade balsamic glaze. It's a great side dish that can be made in less than 15 minutes!
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Why you will love this low-carb asparagus recipe
Roasted asparagus is a healthy, vibrant, low-carb vegetable the whole family will love. Asparagus can be prepared with various seasonings and spices, but the simplicity of this dish is what makes it a great staple. Here are more reasons why you will love this recipe:
- It's a simple side dish, an easy recipe to make. Roasted asparagus can be made in just 15 minutes! The perfect side dish for busy nights throughout the week.
- Plenty of flavors with minimal ingredients. There's only a handful of simple ingredients, with lots of variation. We love drizzling our homemade balsamic glaze to the top of the freshly roasted spears.
- Compliments most meals. This crisp and tender asparagus is seasoned and cooked perfectly. You can serve this healthy side dish with almost any main course, including our orange maple glazed salmon, honey mustard chicken thighs, or Tuscan chicken.
For more roasted side dish recipes, check out my honey-glazed rainbow carrots, savory delicata squash, and rosemary-roasted potatoes.
Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients for this low-carb roasted asparagus:
Ingredient Notes
- Asparagus: For this recipe, you will need one pound of asparagus. Look for medium-sized green fresh asparagus spears. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your stalks. Refer to the cooking guide below.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Gives the asparagus a nice crisp. You can also use avocado oil, which has a high smoking point.
- Garlic: Minced garlic combined with parmesan cheese adds a delicious cheesy garlic flavor to the asparagus. You can also use two fresh garlic cloves or one teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Salt + Black Pepper: The perfect blend of spices.
- Parmesan: Fresh parmesan cheese adds a delicious salty flavor. If you are dairy-free or vegan, you can skip this ingredient altogether.
- Balsamic Glaze (Optional): Adding homemade balsamic glaze is our favorite way to add a touch of sweetness. This balsamic recipe is made without added caramel coloring or emulsifiers.
How to roast low carb asparagus: step by step
When it comes to roasting asparagus, the timing and oven temperature matter most. To avoid overcooked, soft, soggy spears, make sure to read the tips below.
- Prep the asparagus. Trim and discard the woody end of the raw asparagus.
- Toss the asparagus. On an unlined baking sheet, toss the asparagus in the olive oil mixture with garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange the asparagus in a flat, single layer. Don’t overcrowd the sheet pan!
- Roast. In a preheated oven at 425°F, roast the asparagus for 7-12 minutes until the spears are tender.
- Add the final touches. Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Find the printable recipe with full instructions and measurements below.
Asparagus Roasting Guide
Cooking asparagus at a high temperature (425°F) is the best way to ensure a crunchy crisp texture, and depending on how thick or thin your asparagus spears are will determine the roasting time.
- Thin Asparagus Spears - roast for 7-9 minutes.
- Thick Asparagus Spears - roast for 10-12 minutes.
Storage
To store: Asparagus will soften over time and is best eaten the same day it is made. Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container.
Variations
- Balsamic Roasted Asparagus: Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze on top of the roasted asparagus for a savory sweet flavor. The balsamic reduction (balsamic glaze) can be made up to 3 weeks in advance.
- Lemon Asparagus: Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter and drizzle fresh lemon juice and lemon zest on top.
- Crispy Parmesan Asparagus. Add the parmesan cheese at the end of the roasting time and broil for 2 minutes.
- Mozzarella Asparasgus. For extra cheesy asparagus, add a ¼ cup of freshly grated mozzarella cheese.
- Italian Spice Asparagus. Season uncooked asparagus with a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, along with oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic.
FAQ
Asparagus goes bad quickly, therefore it is best to cook right after purchasing. For use later in the week, trim off the ends of the asparagus, and place the asparagus standing upright in a jar with one inch of cold water at the bottom to help hydrate the spears. Keep the jar in the fridge until ready to use.
Blanching the asparagus is not necessary, before roasting.
Yes! Asparagus is a great addition to the keto diet and low-carb diet.
This low-carb recipe has only 3 net carbs per serving and 4 net carbs per serving with the balsamic glaze.
Yes, my homemade balsamic glaze is gluten-free, and a great choice for added flavor.
I hope you love this low-carb asparagus recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
Recipe
Roasted Parmesan Asparagus (Low Carb Asparagus Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic glaze ,optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grab a large baking sheet and set it aside.
- Prep the asparagus. Trim and discard the woody ends of the asparagus. Add the asparagus to the baking sheet.
- Season with oil and spices. Toss the asparagus spears with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Then arrange them in a flat, even layer. Don’t overcrowd the sheet pan!
- Roast. Place the baking tray in the oven and roast the asparagus for 7 to 12 minutes (less time for thinner spears, more time for thicker spears), or until the spears are tender.
- Add the final touches. Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired.
Notes
- Adding 1 tablespoon of balsamic glaze increases the carb count by 1 gram per serving.
- Thin Spears - roast for 7-9 minutes
- Thick Spears - roast for 10-12 minutes.
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