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Zesty Lemon Garlic Asparagus is your new go-to side dish; bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor. This easy asparagus recipe is tossed with garlic and lemon, then finished with creamy feta and juicy tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist that’s ready in under 15 minutes.
Whether you roast it or pan-fry it, this lemon asparagus delivers irresistible crunch and tang in every bite. Serve it solo, toss it into a salad, or pair it with mains like our Garlic Butter Baked Salmon for the ultimate garlic asparagus recipe that’s both simple and satisfying.
What Makes This Lemon Garlic Asparagus Work
This Lemon Garlic Asparagus hits all the right notes—zesty, savory, and just the right amount of creamy. The garlic and lemon elevate the natural flavor of the asparagus, bringing out its earthy, vibrant character. A quick roast or pan-fry keeps it tender-crisp with a gorgeous pop of green.
What makes this one of the best easy asparagus recipes is how effortlessly it comes together while still feeling fresh and elevated. Whether you’re after a bright lemon asparagus side or a flavorful garlic asparagus recipe to pair with mains, this dish delivers every time.
What Goes Into Lemon Garlic Asparagus
This recipe keeps things fresh and flavorful with a few pantry staples and a burst of citrus. Everything comes together in one bowl, making prep a breeze and cleanup even easier. Here are a few key players:
- Asparagus Spears: Fresh and vibrant, asparagus is the star of this dish. Make sure to trim off the woody ends for the best texture.
- Olive Oil: A generous drizzle helps the asparagus roast beautifully and brings richness to the dressing.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon adds brightness and zing, balancing the earthy greens and creamy feta.
- Garlic: Just the right amount of minced garlic gives this dish its irresistible savory depth.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Lemon Garlic Asparagus
- Prep the Oven or Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if roasting, or heat a large skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease your baking sheet or pan with cooking spray or a drizzle of oil.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, parsley, oregano, garlic, salt, and cracked pepper until well combined.
- Season the Asparagus: Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and place them in a bowl. Pour half of the dressing over the spears and toss to coat evenly.
- Cook the Asparagus: For the oven, place asparagus on the baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. For stovetop, pan-fry for about 8 minutes until just tender.
- Add the Finishing Touches: Transfer cooked asparagus to a serving plate. Top with cherry tomatoes and feta cheese for a fresh and creamy contrast.
- Drizzle and Serve: Spoon the remaining dressing over the top. Serve warm with extra lemon wedges on the side for an extra citrusy kick.
Zesty Lemon Garlic Asparagus is a fresh, flavorful side that pairs effortlessly with so many mains. Its bright citrusy notes and savory garlic make it a perfect match for both light proteins and heartier dishes.
Try it alongside Garlic Butter Baked Salmon for a Mediterranean-inspired dinner, or pair it with Creamy Tuscan Chicken for a comforting contrast. It’s also lovely with Greek Lamb Chops, Lemon Garlic Chicken, or even folded into a warm quinoa salad for a satisfying vegetarian option. Whether you’re keeping things casual or dressing up your dinner table, this asparagus delivers every time.
Recipe FAQ’s
Fresh asparagus is best for texture and flavor, but you can use frozen in a pinch—just thaw and pat dry to avoid sogginess.
It should be bright green, tender-crisp, and slightly caramelized if roasted. Avoid overcooking to keep its crunch.
Yes! You can roast or pan-fry the asparagus ahead, then reheat gently and drizzle with fresh dressing just before serving.
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Lemon Garlic Asparagus
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch cracked pepper to taste
- 1 pound asparagus spears woody ends removed
To Serve:
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 2 lemon wedges to serve
Instructions
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking oil spray. Arrange asparagus on sheet in a single layer.
- Whisk together oil, juice, vinegar, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour half over the asparagus and toss to evenly coat.
- Roast for 8-10 minutes or until the asparagus is crisp on the outside and tender in the centre.
- Top asparagus with the tomatoes and feta cheese. Drizzle with remaining lemon dressing. Serve with lemon wedges.
Stove Top Method:
- Toss asparagus in half of the dressing and pan fry over medium heat until cooked to your liking (about 8 minutes while tossing occasionally).
- Drizzle with the remaining sauce and top with the feta and tomatoes. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Snap off the woody dry ends of the asparagus. A quicker way when cooking a large bunch like this is to snap the end off one first, then line them all up on your chopping board and slice through the rest at the same length.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this out last night using the oven method. Very easy to make and the flavors were great. Pared it with some pan seared scallops over risotto and wife and teen daughter loved it.
This looks amazing, and I can hardly wait to cook this dish. My family and I love asparagus. Thank you!
Good Afternoon, I have some carrots and zucchini that I need to use up along with my asparagus. If I add the squash and carrots, do you think that combo (with the asparagus) will taste good with the feta cheese? Thanks, love your recipes. Thanks for sharing!
That sounds delicious to me! I love asparagus and that would be a great combination. Thanks for following along with me!