Are you tired of bland, mushy vegetable side dishes that bore your dinner guests? Get ready to transform your meal with this incredibly simple yet stunning Broiled Asparagus recipe that will make you look like a professional chef! In just 15 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy side dish that's crispy, flavorful, and guaranteed to impress everyone at your table. With minimal ingredients and an easy cooking technique, this recipe proves that gourmet cooking doesn't have to be complicated.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Preheat your broiler to high heat and position the oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler element.
- Wash the asparagus thoroughly under cold running water and pat dry with clean paper towels.
- Trim the woody ends of the asparagus by holding each spear and gently bending until it naturally breaks at its natural separation point, discarding the tough bottom portion.
- Place the trimmed asparagus spears on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single, even layer.
- Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the asparagus, then use your hands to gently toss and coat each spear completely.
- Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper over the asparagus, ensuring even seasoning.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 5-7 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rotate the baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and charring of the asparagus.
- Remove from the broiler when asparagus is tender and has light char marks on the tips and edges.
- Transfer the broiled asparagus to a serving platter and immediately zest fresh lemon over the top.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus just before serving to add brightness and enhance the flavor.
- Serve hot as an immediate side dish, garnishing with additional fresh ground pepper if desired.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Asparagus: Select firm, bright green spears with tight, compact tips for the best texture and flavor.
- Uniform Sizing: Try to select asparagus spears of similar thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Don't Overcrowd: Spread asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet to allow proper charring and prevent steaming.
- Watch Closely: Broilers can quickly burn food, so keep a close eye on your asparagus and rotate the pan for even cooking.
- Fresh Lemon is Key: Use freshly zested and squeezed lemon for maximum flavor brightness.
- Seasoning Tip: For extra flavor, consider adding garlic powder or grated Parmesan cheese before broiling.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 50kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 3g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
