Try this easy oven-roasted asparagus recipe with homemade balsamic vinegar glaze sprinkled with fresh parmesan. The asparagus is tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
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Why You Will Love This Asparagus With Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
The whole family will love balsamic roasted asparagus. Asparagus can be prepared in a variety of ways, but the simplicity of the recipe is what makes this the perfect side dish. We often pair it with slow roasted chicken and honey Dijon mustard chicken thighs. Similar to my honey-roasted rainbow carrots and baked murasaki sweet potato recipe, this springtime side dish is quick to make but full of flavor. Here are some reasons why you will love this balsamic asparagus recipe:
- An easy and delicious side dish with a complex flavor. This simple side dish has minimal prep time and cooking time.
- Minimal ingredients. A small amount of ingredients means easy cleanup.
- Compliments most meals. This asparagus dish is easy enough to make for any weeknight meal or as a healthier option for a holiday dinner.
Asparagus With Balsamic Vinegar Glaze Ingredients
Here are the main ingredients for this roast asparagus recipe:
Ingredient Notes
- Asparagus: For this recipe, you will need a one-pound asparagus stalk. Look for medium-sized fresh asparagus spears with a vibrant color.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: A little olive oil gives the asparagus a nice crisp when roasting. You can also use avocado oil, which has a high smoking point.
- Minced Garlic: Adds depth and aroma. You can also use two fresh garlic cloves or one teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Salt & Black Pepper: A little salt and black pepper add flavor.
- Parmesan: Fresh parmesan cheese adds a delicious salty flavor. If you are dairy-free or vegan, you can skip this ingredient altogether.
- Balsamic Glaze: Adding a good quality homemade balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness. This balsamic vinegar recipe is made without added caramel coloring or emulsifiers.
How To Make Roasted Asparagus With Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
- Step 1: Make the balsamic glaze and prep asparagus. Follow the instructions for the balsamic glaze. Let cool while prepping the asparagus. Using a sharp knife, trim and discard the woody ends of the asparagus.
- Step 2: Add the oil and seasonings. Toss the asparagus in the olive oil mixture with garlic, salt, and pepper on an unlined large baking sheet. Arrange the asparagus in a flat, single layer. Don’t overcrowd the sheet pan!
- Step 3: Roast the asparagus. In a preheated oven at 425°F, roast the asparagus for 7-12 minutes until the spears are tender.
- Step 4: Garnish and serve. Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter. Add freshly grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic reduction to the top.
Find the printable recipe card with full recipe 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.
Asparagus Grilling Guide
Grilled asparagus is an easy summer side dish! It’s tender and lightly charred, cooking in minutes on the grill. Follow the steps below for grilling:
- Prep the grill. Preheat the grill on high heat.
- Prep the asparagus. Snap off tough ends of asparagus and discard. To a large bowl, add the trimmed asparagus, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Toss to combine.
- Grill the asparagus. Place the spears on the preheated grill rack. Grill 5 minutes on each side or until asparagus is done. The asparagus is ready when it’s bright green, tender, and lightly charred.
- Garnish. Plate the roasted asparagus and top with balsamic glaze and fresh parmesan cheese.
Storage
- To store: Asparagus will soften over time and become a little limp, therefore, it is best eaten the same day it is roasted. Any leftovers can be kept in the fridge for 2 days, and stored in an airtight container.
Variations
- Lemon Asparagus - Transfer the roasted asparagus to a serving platter and add a squeeze of lemon juice and lemon zest to the top.
- Crispy Parmesan Asparagus - Add the parmesan cheese at the end of the roasting time and broil for 2 minutes.
- Mozzarella Asparagus - Add a ¼ cup of freshly grated mozzarella cheese before roasting for extra cheesy asparagus.
- Italian Spice Asparagus - Season uncooked asparagus with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy herbaceous flavor.
- Asparagus with Fresh Herbs - Sprinkle a tablespoon of fresh parsley on top after roasting.
FAQ
Asparagus tends to go bad quickly. For best results, it is recommended to cook asparagus right after purchase. For use later in the week, trim off the tough ends, then place the bunch of 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, my homemade balsamic glaze is gluten-free.
I hope you love this asparagus with balsamic vinegar glaze 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 Asparagus With Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
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
Instructions
- Make the balsamic glaze. Follow the instructions for balsamic glaze. Let cool while prepping the asparagus.
- Prep the asparagus. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grab a large baking sheet and set it aside. While the glaze is reducing, 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. Arrange the spears in a flat, even layer. Don’t overcrowd the 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.
Notes
- Thin Spears - roast for 7-9 minutes
- Thick Spears - roast for 10-12 minutes.
kenny says
This recipe is one of my favorite side dishes.