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    🏠Home » Recipes » Grill Side Dish Recipes

    Parmesan Grilled Asparagus on a Gas Grill

    Mar 24, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · Last modified: Nov 28, 2023 · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe - TOC - Print

    Parmesan Grilled Asparagus is something special that is the perfect side dish for almost any meal—sweet and tender with a bit charred on the edges, ready in about 15 minutes.

    It is grilled open on the grates or grill pan to get the best flavor. There is no need to seal in aluminum foil packets that will steam the asparagus—get open grill flavor instead.

    🥣Ingredients

    Asparagus
    Olive oil
    Garlic—powder or fresh
    Salt and pepper
    Grated Parmesan cheese
    Other options—slivers of almonds, pine nuts, feta cheese, or blue cheese

    asparagus on a white plate with Parmesan.
    Jump To:
    • 🥣Ingredients
    • 👨‍🍳How to Grill Asparagus on a Gas Grill
    • When is asparagus done?
    • How to serve
    • 🛒Pick the best asparagus for grilling
    • 🔪How to trim asparagus—to snap or cut
    • ↕️How to make this a "for two" or "family size" recipe
    • ❓FAQs
    • Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • 📖 Recipe
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Sweet, tender, and smoky with a bit of char on the edges, you will love grilled asparagus. Grilling asparagus is easy with minimal prep and less than 10 minutes on the grill and the grill temperature fits nicely with grilled chicken or pork perfectly.

    👨‍🍳How to Grill Asparagus on a Gas Grill

    1. Clean and trim asparagus.
    2. Coat with olive oil, garlic (fresh or powder), salt, and pepper.
    3. Grill on a grill pan or directly on the grates until browning and fork tender—5-10 minutes, depending on thickness and grill temperature.
    4. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese (optional) before serving hot.

    For more details, keep reading. See the Recipe Card below for complete instructions and to print.

    When is asparagus done?

    Asparagus is done when there is some browning on the surface, char marks, and tender to your preference—use a fork to check. Also, pick up a spear and see if it flexes some.

    Total grilling time will take 5 to 10 minutes, depending on grill temperature, the thickness of the spears, and your preference.

    Asparagus is done at an internal temperature of 135° with an instant-read thermometer in the thickest part of the spear.

    How to serve

    The perfect side dish for Grilled Ribeye Steak, Grilled Filet Mignon, Grilled Chicken Breasts, or Grilled Porterhouse Steak. And check out some other grilled side dishes like Grilled Mixed Vegetables, Grilled Baby Potatoes, or Grilled Baked Potatoes.

    🛒Pick the best asparagus for grilling

    The best asparagus for grilling should be medium thickness. Not the real thin shafts you sometimes see. You can use thicker and use a peeler to thin down the end.

    Look for vibrant color—dark green with a tinge of some violet on the top is best.

    I then look at the cut ends to ensure they are not drying and the stems are firm and not limp. Lastly, squeeze the bunch, and it should squeak a bit.

    🔪How to trim asparagus—to snap or cut

    Many suggest snapping off the asparagus stalk at the base will magically break at the correct point. The idea was that the tough base meets the tender asparagus at this natural breaking point.

    Well, not so much, it turns out. According to Cooks Illustrated, you are throwing out lots of your tasty asparagus. With a sharp knife, cutting 1 inch off the end will not waste as much since the snap method is inaccurate on where it breaks.

    If your asparagus is thick and woody, use a vegetable peeler on the woody end to thin it down some.

    ↕️How to make this a "for two" or "family size" recipe

    This recipe is set for ½ pound of asparagus, which I call two large servings—but I like asparagus. This is a very easy recipe to make smaller or bigger

    1. Use the recipe card and adjust the number of servings.
    2. Use the amount of ingredients in the ingredient list, not the instructions—those do not adjust.
    3. Cook for the same amount of time.

    ❓FAQs

    Can I use a charcoal grill to cook asparagus?

    Yes. As long as you can control the grill temperature and watch the endpoint of cooking, a charcoal grill will work.

    Why does my grilled asparagus turn out soggy?

    You are overcooking and may be using too low of a temperature.

    To get the outside browning without overcooking the inside structure, you may need to cook at a higher temperature for a shorter time. Also, if the grill temp was OK when you started, all the flipping with opening and closing the lid may lower the grill temp.

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect
    ↑Jump to Table of Contents

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    Grill Recipes, Grill Side Dish Recipes, Side Dish Recipes

    Have you tried this recipe, or have a question? Join the community discussion in the comments.

    Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    asparagus with oil and seasoning.

    Preheat the grill to 450° surface temperature, which is the preferred temperature more most chicken and pork recipes—medium-high heat on most grills—clean and oil grill grates.

    rinsing asparagus under running water.

    Wash and trim asparagus. Cut off ½ inch of the bottom of the asparagus shaft.

    mixing seasoning with oil in small bowl.

    Mix olive oil with garlic powder or fresh crushed garlic, salt, and black pepper.

    coating asparagus with oil in on plate.

    Pour the oil mixture on the cleaned asparagus and coat well. Clean hands work well here.

    asparagus on a grill tray.

    If using a grill pan or basket, add a light coat of higher-temperature oil. Spread evenly over a grill pan or on the grates.

    flipping the asparagus on the grill pan.

    In three minutes, flip the asparagus and grill until it gets brown spots. Usually another three minutes for me. Total cooking time can vary from 5-10 minutes in total. Variables are your exact grill temperature, the grill pan, the thickness of the asparagus, and your taste. If you are unsure, aim for a final internal temperature of 135°.

    asparagus with Parmesan cheese on plate with ham.

    Serve immediately. I like a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to add even more taste.

    ↑Jump to Table of Contents

    📖 Recipe

    asparagus on a white plate with Parmansan

    Parmesan Grilled Asparagus on a Gas Grill

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Parmesan Grilled Asparagus is something special that is the perfect side dish for almost any meal—sweet and tender with a bit charred on the edges, ready in about 15 minutes.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 2

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • ½ lb asparagus - perfect for two
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder-optional - or crushed - about 2 cloves
    • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
    • Optional cheese topping - Parmesan, feta or blue cheese
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the grill to 450° surface temperature, which is the preferred temperature more most chicken and pork recipes—medium-high heat on most grills—clean and oil grill grates.
      asparagus with oil and seasoning
    • Wash and trim asparagus. Cut off ½ inch of the bottom of the asparagus shaft.
      rinsing asparagus under running water
    • Mix olive oil with garlic powder or fresh crushed garlic, salt, and black pepper.
      mixing seasoning with oil in small bowl
    • Pour the oil mixture on the cleaned asparagus and coat well. Clean hands work well here.
      coating asparagus with oil in on plate
    • If using a grill pan or basket, add a light coat of higher-temperature oil. Spread evenly over a grill pan or on the grates.
      asparagus on a grill tray
    • In three minutes, flip the asparagus and grill until getting brown spots. Usually another three minutes for me. Total cooking time can vary from 5-10 minutes in total. Variables are your exact grill temperature, the grill pan, the thickness of the asparagus, and your taste. If you are unsure, aim for a final internal temperature of 135°.
      flipping the asparagus on the grill pan
    • Serve immediately. I like a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to add even more taste.
      asparagus with Parmesan cheese on plate with ham
    Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print. Otherwise step-by-step photos are in the post.

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    Recipe Notes

    Pro Tips

    1. This recipe is written in "for two" amount. Just double all ingredients for the usual one-pound bunch. You can use the serving adjustment and change it from 2 to 4 servings.
    2. Use medium-thickness asparagus. Thicker can be used but will take longer to cook and may need to be thinned some with a vegetable peeler. Thinner will cook faster.
    3. A thicker grill pan may significantly affect this recipe. A thin or wire pan or grate can go on with the asparagus. A thicker pan should be preheated.
    4. The olive oil coating will usually not smoke, but the oil on the pan needs a higher smoke point. I like to use "grill" grade PAM.
    5. I prefer to cut the base off the asparagus spears but snap if you wish.
    6. Cooking time will vary by the exact grill temperature, the grill pan, and your taste.
    7. You can cook at a higher temperature if it matches your needs, but it may cook much faster.
    8. A sprinkle of cheese after coming off the grill just before severing will make it special.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Calories : 58 kcal (3%)Carbohydrates : 4 g (1%)Protein : 2 g (4%)Fat : 4 g (6%)Saturated Fat : 0 gCholesterol : 0 mgSodium : 293 mg (12%)Potassium : 229 mg (7%)Fiber : 2 g (8%)Sugar : 2 g (2%)Vitamin A : 855 IU (17%)Vitamin C : 6.4 mg (8%)Calcium : 27 mg (3%)Iron : 2.4 mg (13%)
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Vegetable
    Cuisine : American

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Originally Published March 28, 2010. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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    About Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

    Hi, welcome to 101 Cooking for Two. I'm DrDan, I'm a board certified physician and a lover of cooking delicious easy recipes I have perfected at home for two or larger household. As an award winning educator, let me guide you to finding the joys of cooking everyday food at home.
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    1. Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

      May 17, 2019 at 4:52 pm

      Welcome to the blog,
      I never steam asparagus anymore. It is the grill or oven. It is easier and better results.
      Thanks for the note.
      Dan

      Reply

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