Grilled asparagus is one of the best vegetables to grill. It’s quick, easy, and a full flavor upgrade. Plain, boiled asparagus is transformed on the grill into a veggie the whole family will be craving. Finished with a squeeze of lemon juice for added freshness and topped with grated Parmesan cheese, this is one recipe you need to try for yourself.
Our favorite way to grill vegetables on the BBQ such as asparagus, tenderstem broccoli, and baby corn is to use a BBQ vegetable grilling basket. The basket stops the veggies from falling through the grates and holds heat to form the perfect char. For another amazing side dish, take simple Grilled Asparagus to the next level by wrapping in bacon. Fresh crunchy asparagus paired with smoky, salty bacon is an absolute flavor sensation!
Ingredients
Grilled Asparagus
1 pound fresh asparagus spears
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Parmesan and Lemon Topping
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 lemon, cut into wedges
Helpful Tools
1 Vegetable BBQ Basket, optional
Steps
Preheat the grill
Preheat a grill on medium high heat for 15 minutes with the lid closed.
Prep asparagus for grilling
Trim the base of the asparagus then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt. Toss to coat the asparagus evenly then place into the BBQ vegetable tray. Place the vegetable tray inside the grill directly on the grates. If not using a grilling basket, place the asparagus in the opposite direction of the grates to avoid any falling through.
Grill the asparagus
Grill the asparagus for 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Once the grilled asparagus is tender and well charred, transfer to a serving platter.
Top grilled asparagus with Parmesan cheese
Toss the grilled asparagus with the grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve the grilled asparagus
Serve the warm grilled asparagus with the lemon wedges or squeeze them over the asparagus prior to serving.
Notes
How to make grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon?
To make grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon, simply take a bundle of five asparagus then wrap with a strip of bacon. Secure the bundles with a toothpick then grill following the instructions above until the bacon becomes crispy. Serve the grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon as an irresistible side dish! You can find the step-by-step recipe here.
How long does grilled asparagus take to grill?
Depending on the size of the asparagus, it will take anywhere from 12 -20 minutes to grill on medium heat. If you want more char on the asparagus, place them over direct heat and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.
How to prepare fresh asparagus?
To prepare the asparagus, trim the end of each spear with a knife to remove the fibrous section of the stalk. Asparagus comes in different varieties and varying levels of thickness, thicker asparagus can be lightly peeled to remove excess fibers and create an appealing appearance. Thick asparagus should also be blanched in boiling water for 3 minutes before transferring to finish on a grill. When grilling fine young asparagus, the vegetable can be cooked directly on the grill without blanching. For thinner asparagus it is also best to use a BBQ vegetable tray to prevent the vegetables from falling into the grill.
What to serve with asparagus?
Grilled asparagus can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner as an extremely versatile vegetable. Perfect pairings include eggs, pork, beef, salmon, shellfish - almost any protein! Our favorites include a breakfast classic of poached eggs, asparagus and hollandaise sauce, a summertime delight of seared scallops and asparagus, or a sophisticated filet steak, peppercorn sauce, and grilled asparagus.
The best dressings, seasonings, and toppings for grilled asparagus
Grilled asparagus is a perfect side dish with many options available to mix things up. Exciting ideas include lemon vinaigrette, herb and lemon dressing, fresh soft herbs, ranch dressing, hollandaise, and parmesan cheese.
