Low Carb Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe
Roasting asparagus in the oven is a fast way to prepare an easy keto side dish for dinner. Simply toss a bundle of asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice and bake. This recipe makes crispy asparagus stalks loaded with tons of flavor with only a few simple asparagus. Sprinkle on some parmesan cheese for a vegetable dish the whole famiy will enjoy.
Is Asparagus Keto?
Yes, asparagus is keto-friendly. Not only is this green vegetable keto approved (as are most green vegetables) but it is also packed with tons of vitamins. It’s loaded with Vitamin A, C and E as well as B vitamins.
How Many Carbs are in Asparagus?
Asparagus is a keto vegetable because it has a low carbohydrate count. There are 2 grams net carbs in 6 spears of asparagus. It is one keto approved vegetable that you can fill up on!
How to Pick Ripe Asparagus
If you are looking for ripe, great quality asparagus, find asparagus spears that are firm and have tightly closed tips. When you squeeze the bundle and it squeaks, it is prime and ready to roast!
How to Prepare and Trim Asparagus
First, rinse off the asparagus by running under cold water. Pat dry. Next, you will want to remove the tough woody part of the asparagus. There are three different ways you can do this:
- Cut Them: You will want to find the spot of the asparagus where the woody part meets the tender spot. This can be determined by color. Cut where the asparagus is lighter and discard.
- Snap Them: Common wisdom says that if you bend the stalk, the asparagus will naturally break where it is tough.
- Peel Them: I will talk more about that process in the next section.Once you have the tough woody parts taken care of, you are ready to start cooking.
Is it Necessary to Peel Asparagus?
Peeling asparagus is not necessary and can be a bit of pain. However, peeling might be the least wasteful way to get rid of the toughness that comes with asparagus. Also, you will not be able to peel thin asparagus. You will only want to do this on thick stalks.Start by trimming a half-inch off the bottom of the asparagus. Using a peeler, peel from the bottom up to about one-third of the stalk. Do this all around the stalk. Repeat on each asparagus spear.
Can You Roast Asparagus in the Oven?
Yes, you can bake asparagus in the oven. Roasting asparagus using an oven is super easy. Just make sure to lay the asparagus as a single layer on the sheet pan. You will want each piece of asparagus to touch the pan as it cooks. The amount of time that it takes to cook the asparagus will depend on the size of the stalk. For medium-sized stalk, estimate 12 to 15 minutes in a 400-degree oven. You will need to adjust the time based on the stalk. Thinner stalks will take less time where thicker stalks will take slightly longer.
How to Tell if Roasted Asparagus is Done Cooking?
You can tell when roasted asparagus is done by the color. Fully cooked asparagus will be bright green. The stalks will be tender and crispy.
How to Store Asparagus
Fresh asparagus will keep for about one week in the fridge. The best way to store asparagus is by standing the bundle in a glass jar (like a measuring cup) that is filled with one to two inches of water. You can also cover loosely with a plastic bag to help keep the asparagus fresh.
Other Keto Recipes Using Asparagus
If you love asparagus, you’ll love to try these recipes: