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Grilled Asparagus spears prepared with just a few ingredients, plus a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice. This is an easy grilled asparagus recipe everyone will love!
Quick and Easy Grilled Asparagus
Hey, friends! Let me tell you about something simple and delightful – fresh asparagus spears tossed in a splash of olive oil and seasoned with just the right pinch of salt and pepper. Throw them on the grill, and in just 15 minutes, you’ve got yourself a side dish of grilled asparagus that’s not only healthy but has that tender, smoky sweetness we all crave. I sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on top and added a squeeze of lemon juice. It was the perfect little addition to our churrasco steak dinner.
Truth be told, we really like asparagus. From bacon wrapped asparagus to garlic roasted asparagus, it happens to be way at the top of our favorite green veggies. This simple yet delicious and healthy vegetable can be prepared in no time in the oven or on the grill with very few ingredients.
I recently paired this asparagus recipe with our grilled chicken thighs and got rave reviews from everyone!
How To Trim Asparagus
You know those woody ends that are all tough and uninviting? We don’t want them at our grill party! So, to trim asparagus, just give them a gentle bend about ⅔ of the way down the stalk. You’ll feel the magic happen as they naturally break right where the tough part begins, leaving you with tender stalks that are perfect for roasting or grilling.
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus spears rinsed, trimmed, and dried
- extra virgin olive oil for tossing the asparagus
- salt & fresh ground black pepper to season the asparagus
- grated parmesan cheese for garnish
- lemon, optional, for serving
How To Grill Asparagus
Start by grilling all your other items, whether meat or other vegetables. Once everything else is off the grill, it’s asparagus time! Why? Because asparagus cooks much faster and will be done just in time to serve with all your other grilled foods.
- Prep the grill. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high, about 400˚F.
- Cook. Place the asparagus over direct heat and close the lid. Depending on their thickness, you’ll need to let them sizzle for about 5 minutes or until those beautiful grill marks appear.
- Finish. Then, flip them over and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes or until they’re tender to your liking.
Recipe Tips
- Choosing asparagus: Look for fresh, firm stalks with bright green color and tightly closed tips. Thicker spears are often easier to grill.
- Prep with oil and seasoning: A quick toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper enhances flavor and prevents sticking.
- Mind the grill temperature: Medium-high heat usually works best. Too hot, and you might char them; too cool, and they won’t get that lovely smoky flavor.
- Use a grill basket: If you’re worried about your asparagus falling through the grates, use a grill basket or thread them onto skewers. Thicker asparagus spears may work best, as they won’t fall through the cracks on the grates. But don’t worry if you have thinner ones; you can simply thread them onto a metal skewer, running it through the middle part of the spears. Not only does this keep them all together on the grates, but it also helps with flipping them over.
- Keep an eye on them: Asparagus cooks fast! Depending on thickness, 7 to 9 minutes total usually does the trick.
- Serve immediately: Asparagus tastes best right off the grill, so make it your last grilled item.
- Avoid overcrowding: Give them space on the grill so they can cook evenly.
- Storage tip: If you need to store grilled asparagus, place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
- With Grilled Proteins: A perfect companion to grilled chicken, ribeye steak, branzino, or tofu. Those smoky flavors just sing together!
- In Salads: Chop it up and toss it into this fresh asparagus salad for a warm, smoky touch.
- Alongside Eggs: Serve it with poached or fried eggs, or with eggs halifax for a great breakfast or brunch treat.
- With Pasta Dishes: Mix grilled asparagus with our creamy lemon shrimp pasta. It adds a nice crunch and depth of flavor.
More Asparagus Recipes To Try
- Asparagus Phyllo Bundles Recipe
- Pan Roasted Asparagus Almondine
- Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Roasted Garlic and Asparagus Soup
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Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus spears, rinsed, trimmed, and patted dry with paper towels
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 small lemon, optional
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Heat an outdoor grill to about 400˚F to 425˚F.
- Place the asparagus in a mixing bowl and toss with oil, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer the asparagus to the grill and set over direct heat. Close the lid and grill for 8 to 10 minutes or until the spears are tender and crisp. Use tongs to flip over the spears halfway through grilling for even grill marks.
- Remove the asparagus from the grill and transfer to a serving platter.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the asparagus spears and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
- Serve.
Notes
- Choosing Asparagus: Look for fresh, firm stalks with bright green color and tightly closed tips. Thicker spears are often easier to grill.
- Grill Temperature: Medium-high heat usually works best. Too hot, and you might char them; too cool, and they won’t get that lovely smoky flavor.
- Grill Basket or Skewers: If you’re worried about your asparagus falling through the grates, use a grill basket or thread them onto skewers.
- Grilling Time: Asparagus cooks fast. Depending on thickness, they are done in about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Different Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different marinades or seasonings. A sprinkle of garlic powder or a dash of lime zest can add a zesty kick.
- Storage: If you need to store grilled asparagus, place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for 2 to 3 days.
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.
I love asparagus but Iโve never had it on the grill before!
This looks perfect! Love grilled asparagus!
I needed this method of getting asparagus into a barbecue party! What a great way to find another use for my favorite vegetable!
I love asparagus but I’ve never had it on the grill before! I’ll definitely have to try this!
I love grilled asparagus! The parm and lemon add the perfect touch!
Perfect addition to any meal! The parm and lemon add the perfect touch!
The perfect side dish in the summer for sure!
I love grilled asparagus! And love your tips of tossing it in olive oil and lemon.