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With just 5 ingredients, this Bacon Wrapped Asparagus brushed with balsamic glaze is an easy and incredibly delicious appetizer or side dish. It’s perfect for special occasions like Easter, but simple enough for weeknight dinners.
The Best Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
I’m an asparagus fiend. I love it so much! In fact, there are few things I love more than cooking with fresh asparagus in the spring and summer. Grilled asparagus, asparagus soup, salmon and asparagus…I love it all. But I have to say that this bacon wrapped asparagus recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Prepared in the oven, it’s similar to my oven roasted asparagus with one important addition – bacon. The same goes with my bacon wrapped green beans. Of course, all of this has more to do with the bacon the vegetable is wrapped in and not the vegetable itself…but if it gets everyone eating more veggies then who am I to complain?
Why You’ll Love This Roasted Asparagus
- Bacon. We all know that bacon makes everything better, so it’s no surprise that this bacon wrapped asparagus is downright addicting.
- Only 5 ingredients. Besides the bacon, you’ll just need ingredients such as asparagus, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar.
- Elegant but easy. This is one of those super versatile recipes that’s as perfect on a holiday table as it is on a weeknight dinner plate.
What You’ll Need
This bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe is made with just a few ingredients, so you can whip it up anytime.
- Asparagus – See tips below for choosing asparagus.
- Cooking spray – I prefer olive oil cooking spray.
- Salt & ground black pepper
- Bacon – Cut each slice in half length-wise so it’s easier to wrap around the asparagus.
- Light brown sugar – Sweetens the glaze and creates the thick, sticky texture.
- Balsamic vinegar – The base of the balsamic glaze.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Prep the asparagus. Snap the woody ends off the asparagus, then wash and pat dry. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.
- Wrap with bacon. Wrap each asparagus spear with bacon, wrapping it in a spiral. Transfer to a cooling rack over a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Add the balsamic glaze. Combine the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar in a bowl. Brush over the asparagus.
- Roast in the oven. Top the asparagus with fresh ground pepper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
Grill It
You can also make bacon wrapped asparagus on the grill. Just prepare as directed above, place directed on a hot grill, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh asparagus. Unlike other vegetables, asparagus doesn’t hold up well in the fridge. So be sure to buy it just a day or two before preparing this side.
- Avoid thick cut bacon. Regular bacon is the way to go here. Thick cut bacon will take longer to crisp up and make result in over-cooked asparagus.
- Bake on a cooling rack over a baking sheet. This is key to achieving crispy bacon, as it allows the bacon fat to drip down onto the baking sheet without the asparagus/bacon sitting in it.
- Go light on the salt. While I do like to add a bit of salt for flavor, you won’t need too much of it – or of the olive oil, thanks to the bacon.
Serving Suggestions
Our absolute favorite thing to serve with this bacon wrapped asparagus is Jack Daniel’s grilled steak. Add a baked potato and you have a meal that will rival any steakhouse. You should also include grilled chicken thighs, pork chops, and salmon, for good measure, of course.
Proper Storage
Asparagus is best enjoyed immediately but if you have leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat them.
- Fridge. Keep any leftover asparagus in an airtight container or wrapped in foil in the fridge. It will last for about 3 days.
- Reheat. While you can reheat these in the microwave, I recommend popping them back in the oven or even the air fryer so the bacon maintains some crispness.
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
FOR THE ASPARAGUS AND BACON
- 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed, don't use thin asparagus spears
- olive oil cooking spray
- kosher salt, to taste
- 8 slices bacon, cut in half
- Fresh ground black peppercorns
FOR THE BALSAMIC GLAZE
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and top with a cooling rack.
- Prepare the asparagus. Spray the asparagus spears with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Wrap a slice of bacon around each spear in a spiral. Transfer the prepared asparagus to the baking sheet and place them on top of the cooling rack. Set aside.
- Make the balsamic glaze. In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar and balsamic; mix until combined.
- Brush the asparagus. Brush each bacon wrapped asparagus with the prepared glaze and season them with cracked pepper.
- Roast. Pop them in the oven and roast for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
- Finish and serve. Remove from the oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can also grill the asparagus! To grill, place the bacon wrapped asparagus spears on a hot grill and cover. Cook 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and asparagus is tender.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
More Asparagus Recipes
- Easy Asparagus Cheese Tart
- Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Dressing
- Bacon, Eggs, and Asparagus Salad
- Cheesy Grilled Asparagus
Our go to recipe for this dish!!! Yummy 😋
That’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Excellent. This is the go to recipe we always use for this dish. So yummy 😋
Would you add garlic?