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This might just become your new favorite spring vegetable side dish! Crisp-tender roasted asparagus is topped with an umami-rich sesame-miso butter, a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onions for a super quick and tasty side.
I love miso because it adds this savory, je ne sais quoi flavor to just about anything, plus it helps make sauces and dressings creamy when blended with other ingredients. I generally use white (shiro) miso because it is a little more mellow and almost-universally usable in recipes that need a little something extra in comparison to red miso.
If you’re not familiar with miso, it is a fermented soybean paste, high in protein and minerals. It can come in several colors depending on what the exact ingredients are and can be fermented for varying lengths of time. It adds a funky umami flavor to dishes that you just can’t get from other ingredients. It’s also healthy so it’s a guilt-free addition of flavor in my opinion. Obviously, the longer the miso ferments, the more intense the flavor so I recommend starting with a white miso if you’re not familiar with the taste! I buy mine from the refrigerated section at Whole Foods, but Asian markets and online retailers (like Amazon) will have different versions-some are shelf-stable. 
Roasting asparagus is my go-to way to cook this sweet spring vegetable because it’s easy and concentrates the flavor and sweetness. I always look for bright green stalks with intact heads and prefer the thicker stalks. Sadly, my family prefers the thin (read: wimpy-looking!) asparagus that is so easy to overcook to mush, but when I’m picking it out and cooking it, I get what I want! Just make sure to adjust your roasting time up or down depending on how thick your stalks are.
It’s always nice to have a new way to cook easy side dishes, and this one definitely falls into that category. Get your asparagus started in the oven and quickly whip up your miso butter. When the asparagus is done, transfer to a platter, dollop with the butter and garnishes and you’re done in 15 minutes or less!
Roasted Asparagus with Sesame-Miso Butter
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Roasted asparagus gets an umami punch from a rich sesame-miso butter slathered on top! A sprinkle of sesame seeds for crunch and flavor and sliced green onions for bright freshness are all this vegetable side dish needs to finish.
Ingredients
- 1–1/2 to 2 pounds asparagus, tough ends trimmed
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil, for drizzling
SESAME-MISO BUTTER:
- 6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons white miso
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, for sprinkling
- Finely sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread the trimmed asparagus in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes until crisp-tender, depending on how thick the spears are.
- While the asparagus cooks, make the sesame-miso butter: Combine all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl, mashing with a small rubber spatula or fork to fully combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- To serve, transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and dollop the butter on top. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Category: Vegetable Sides
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