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posted November 29, 2022

Grilled Asparagus

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.

Pile of grilled asparagus next to a lemon slice with text overlay - 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.

Asparagus stalks being trimmed.

How to Grill Asparagus

Alright, folks. It’s time to get this tasty vegetable on the grill! Here’s how to grill asparagus.

  1. Prep. Wash and trim the asparagus. Lay them out on a baking sheet or cutting board.
  2. Season. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Lastly, season with lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic.
  3. 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.
  4. Enjoy. Remove the asparagus from the grill to a serving platter. Enjoy immediately.

Asparagus being drizzled with olive oil.

How Long to Grill Asparagus

I grilled 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.

Lemon juice being squeezed over a row of asparagus.

Tips for Making Grilled Asparagus

  1. Buy medium-sized stalks. Too thin and they burn quickly and fall through the grates. Too thick and they tend to be woody and stringy.
  2. 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.
  3. Use some oil before seasoning. I like using olive oil on my asparagus. Toss your stalks in a bit of oil to help the seasoning stick, but also to help develop some crispy char on the grill.
  4. Add acidity. Asparagus is pretty sweet and some acidity really balances the flavor. I like lemon juice, but balsamic or red wine vinegar is also great!
  5. Fully preheat your grill. If you’re grill isn’t hot enough, your asparagus will get cooked through and turn wilty 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.
  6. 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.

Season asparagus on the grill grates of a gas grill.

What Goes Best with Grilled Asparagus?

Honestly, pretty much anything! 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.

What would you serve with grilled asparagus? Let me know in the comments!

Grilled asparagus on a baking sheet.

More Grilled Asparagus Recipes

Fancy yourself a big fan of asparagus? Check out these other tasty grilled asparagus recipes from Hey Grill Hey!

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 recipe videos on YouTubeInstagram, or our Facebook Page.

This post was originally published in April 2019. We recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. The recipe remains the same.

Pile of grilled asparagus next to a lemon slice.

Grilled Asparagus

Susie Bulloch (heygrillhey.com)
This is a simple recipe for perfect grilled asparagus every single time! Grilled asparagus is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Lemon and garlic give the asparagus a subtle kick of flavor that perfectly compliments the grilled asparagus.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time : 10 mins
Cook Time : 8 mins
Total Time : 18 mins
Servings : 4 people
Calories : 63kcal

Video

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound asparagus (choose medium sized shoots, they hold up better on the grill)
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 20.9mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2.6mg
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