Grilled Asparagus
On January 09, 2024 (Updated December 06, 2024)
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Grilled Asparagus is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. With a crisp lemon flavor, this asparagus is simple, quick, and absolutely delicious. Lemon and garlic give the asparagus a subtle kick of flavor that perfectly compliments the grilled asparagus.
Grilled Asparagus
Asparagus is available year-round, but the stalks are the most tender and sweet in early spring. This is my favorite time of year to get outside and cook, and grilled asparagus makes a near-weekly appearance on our dinner menu at home. This recipe is actually the first thing my daughter ever grilled on her own, and all of my kids happily munch on their vegetables when this is on the table.
Grilled asparagus is amazingly easy to prepare and it cooks in 10 minutes or less, making it a fantastic BBQ side dish. It goes great with any protein you’re preparing and can be cooked right along side it, which makes it perfect for your next backyard BBQ.
Tips for Making Grilled Asparagus
- Buy medium-sized stalks. If your asparagus is too thin, then it may burn quickly or fall through the grates. If they’re too thick, then they tend to be woody and stringy. Medium stalks are not only easy to work with, but they have a nice, crispy finish everyone will love.
- Trim the ends of the asparagus where the stem naturally breaks. Pick up a piece and bend it near the cut end. This should give you a good indicator of where the woody ends stop and the tender asparagus starts. Then, simply snap them there, no knife required.
- Use some oil before seasoning. I like using olive oil on my asparagus. Tossing your stalks in a bit of oil not only helps your seasoning stick, but also to helps to develop some crispy char on the grill.
- Add acidity. Asparagus is pretty sweet and some acidity really balances the flavor. I like lemon juice for a little brightness, but balsamic or red wine vinegar is also great.
- Fully preheat your grill. If you’re grill isn’t hot enough, your asparagus will get cooked through and wilt before it has a chance to char on the grill. Those crispy bites are the best and you don’t want to miss out on them. I like to use my Weber Genesis II to get these grilled to perfection.
- Stay close by. Once your asparagus is on the grill, don’t close the lid and walk away. Keep an eye on them, rotating often to ensure even cooking. They may be done faster or slower than the recipe calls for based on your grill temperature and the thickness of your asparagus.
How Long to Grill Asparagus
I grill my asparagus at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-10 minutes. The amount of time you grill your asparagus will depend on a few different factors:
- Size and thickness of the asparagus. My asparagus were medium thickness. If you have large asparagus, expect them to take some extra time to cook. The opposite goes for thin, small asparagus.
- Grill heat. If your grill is on the cooler side, they will obviously take more time to heat through. Got a super hot grill? Pull that asparagus off sooner.
- Doneness. How well done do you like your asparagus? Do you like it crunchy? If so, you’ll need to have your asparagus on the grill for a shorter amount of time. Like your asparagus well-cooked and soft? Give it an extra minute or two.
Bottom line, it doesn’t take long to grill asparagus, so stay close and keep an eye on it. This isn’t a situation where you can pull out your trusty thermometer. So if need be, pick up a spear and take a bite to determine if it’s ready to pull off the grill or not.
What Goes Best with Grilled Asparagus?
Honestly, pretty much any protein you choose is going to taste great with this asparagus. My favorite options for a full meal include my Smoked Mashed Potatoes and Beer and Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin. My kids love asparagus as a side for Surf & Turf with grilled steak and shrimp. But again, grilled asparagus is going to complement whichever meat you’re preparing.
toring Leftover Asparagus
If you have any leftover asparagus, then you can easily store it in your refrigerator to enjoy later. Simply place your remaining asparagus in an airtight container or seal in a zip-top bag and then place in your fridge. You can reheat it in your microwave, but I like to throw it back on the grill for a few minutes to get some of that crispy finish back. It will stay fresh for 3-5 days this way, but there’s nothing like asparagus right off the grill.
How to Grill Asparagus
You’ve learned all the tips and tricks to grilling perfect asparagus, and now it’s time to get this tasty vegetable on the grill. Here’s how to grill asparagus.
- Prep. Wash and trim the asparagus. Lay them out on a baking sheet or cutting board.
- Season. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Lastly, season with lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic.
- Grill. With your grill preheated to 400 degrees F, place the seasoned asparagus directly on the grill grates. Close the lid, and cook for 8-10 minutes.
- Enjoy. Remove the asparagus from the grill to a serving platter, and then enjoy immediately.
More Grilled Asparagus Recipes
If you’re as big of an asparagus fan of as me, then be sure to heck out these other tasty grilled asparagus recipes from Hey Grill Hey.
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Grilled Asparagus in Foil
- Grilled Steak and Asparagus Kabobs
- Salmon Foil Packets with Asparagus and Corn
Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Watch the video below the recipe card and I’ll show you step-by-step how I make this delicious grilled asparagus at home. I’m all about helping you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero. You can check out more of my smoking and grilling videos on YouTube, Instagram, or our Facebook Page.
If you loved making this recipe, then be sure to rate it 5 stars. And don’t forget to check out the Hey Grill Hey app, where I’ve got 0ver 500 more awesome BBQ recipes for you to try next.
Grilled Asparagus
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus choose medium sized shoots, they hold up better on the grill
- 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 medium lemon zest and juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat. Preheat your grill to High (about 400 degrees F)
- Trim. Wash the asparagus well and then trim the woody, tough ends off of the asparagus and lay them out in a single row on a baking sheet or cutting board.1 pound asparagus
- Season. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with lemon zest, juice, and garlic. Roll around gently on the pan to ensure the asparagus are all evenly covered.1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, 1 medium lemon, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 clove garlic
- Grill. Place the asparagus directly on the grill and roast the asparagus for 8-10 minutes, or until the ends have just started to brown and the shoots are still crisp-tender.
- Serve. Remove the asparagus from the grill to a serving platter. Serve warm or chilled with an extra drizzle of fresh lemon, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published in April 2019. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips, but the recipe remains the same.
Loved it! Very easy to prep and cook.
Love this recipe , made it last night and it was a hit . Full of flavor .
I recently fixed grilled asparagus with grilled salmon and sweet potatoes, all fixed on the same grill. It was so yummy and a perfect meal for a diabetic.
Yay! I’m glad you like it!
I saw a thermometer in one of you videos that connected to an app on your smart phone
where do i get one
thank you
mark
I’m pretty sure you are referring to the Meater thermometer. I have all the details on the Prime rib post. https://heygrillhey.com/garlic-butter-smoked-prime-rib/