Food Cooking Tips & Techniques Cooking How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven in 5 Easy Steps It’ll be tender and delicious! By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 02, 2024 Close Photo: Sbossert/Getty Images Of all the ways to cook asparagus, cooking asparagus in the oven may be the very best. Roasting asparagus is quick and efficient, super simple, and delicious. Cooking trimmed asparagus quickly in an oven at high heat results in a tender and crisp asparagus spear that lets the vegetable shine in all its vegetal flavor. Oven-cooked asparagus can pair with pretty much any entrée as a green side, and can also adapt a ton of flavor with the addition of spices, sauces, condiments, nuts, or cheeses after the asparagus is roasted. Once you master oven-cooked asparagus – and it’s easy to perfect – it will be hard to want to cook asparagus any other way. Here’s how to cook asparagus in the oven. 21 Healthiest Vegetables to Incorporate Into Your Diet, According to RDs Pat the asparagus dry, or let it air dry for a bit after washing it. Water on the asparagus will steam it and make it mushy, drier asparagus results in a crisper exterior. Add asparagus in a single layer to a baking sheet, not overlapping or stacking the asparagus, which will steam the spears. If you need multiple trays, use them rather than crowding the asparagus. Asparagus can be lightly seasoned before cooking, and seasoned more once it comes out of the oven. Sprinkle with flaky salt, add a fresh drizzle of vinegar, or a spritz of lemon juice to the finished asparagus for another element of flavor. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Oven (gas or electric, a stovetop toaster oven can also work for smaller portions) Sharp knife Cutting board Sheet pan Oven mitt Serving plate Materials Asparagus Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Seasoning of your choice Instructions Prepare the Oven Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash the asparagus and pat it dry. Trim the Ends Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus. Alternatively, the ends can be trimmed on a diagonal with a sharp knife for a cleaner aesthetic. Add the asparagus to a sheet pan in a single layer. If the asparagus overlaps, use a second sheet pan or roast it in batches. Season the Asparagus Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil on the asparagus, tossing to coat the asparagus spears on the sheet pan. Add salt and pepper on top of the asparagus. Roast Roast asparagus in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The thickness of the asparagus will impact the cooking time. Cooked asparagus should be bright green and tender, but still have a snap. The layer touching the sheet pan will be nicely seared. Start testing asparagus after 10 minutes to avoid overcooking it. Serve and Season Again Once the asparagus is fully cooked, transfer it from the sheet pan to a serving dish. Serve as is, or add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or chili crisp, sprinkle on some lemon zest, toss in a dollop of pesto, shave or crumble hard cheese on top, adorn with toasted pine nuts… however you finish the asparagus, it’s going to be good!