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    🏠Home » Recipes » Grill Side Dish Recipes

    Grilled Asparagus

    Apr 24, 2021 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · 1 Comment

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.80 from 5 votes

    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, all ready in about 15 minutes.

    image of asparagus on a white plate with Parmansan B

    Jump To:
    • Pick the Best Asparagus for Grilling
    • 🔪How to Trim Asparagus
    • 👨‍🍳The Method
    • ♨️The Grill Pan
    • 📖Grill Side Dishes
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • 📝Recipe

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Introduction

    Grill season is here, and the grill adds something very special to almost any food but especially to vegetables. Asparagus seems to take to the grill be better than almost any other vegetable.

    The special thing about this recipe is that it's really so easy—some fresh asparagus, oil, salt, and pepper, then add in a touch of garlic. Grill on a medium grill until lightly charred—vegetable heaven.

    My Rating

    My rating system. Great 5 out of 5

    A lower five since it is just a veggie but about as good as a veggie can get.

    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 be sure it is not drying and the stems are firm and not limp. Lastly, squeeze the bunch, and it should squeak a bit.

    🔪How to Trim Asparagus

    Should you snap or cut asparagus? The debate rages.

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

    Well, not so much, it turns out. According to Cooks Illustrated, you are throwing out lots of your tasty asparagus. Just cut off a bit of the end will not waste as much since the snap method really is not accurate on where it breaks.

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

    👨‍🍳The Method

    All you really need is a nicely oiled grill pan of some type over medium grill heat. Coat with a little oil, salt, and pepper. And at our home, garlic is required.

    There are lots of different grilling instructions for asparagus out there. Here are some of the things I have seen.

    • Grilling directly on the grates - OK but I will drop some through the grate.
    • Stringing them on skewers. I will stick myself. And it just complicates things.
    • "Grilling" in sealed foil. - Ok just steam them instead.
    • Last for a good laugh, steaming for a few minutes before grilling. Talk about fussy.

    ♨️The Grill Pan

    There are so many variations you can use. They all work, but things like thin grates and wire baskets will not interfere with heat transfer much to go on cold with the asparagus.

    A thicker griddle or pan should get preheated before cooking. When in doubt, preheat the pan.

    The Oil

    Olive oil is fine on the asparagus, and it adds some flavor. But oil on the pan/griddles/baskets and grates need to have higher smoke points.

    📖Grill Side Dishes

    Brown Sugar Cinnamon Glazed Grilled Pineapple

    Grilled Mixed Vegetables

    Easy Grilled Baby Potatoes

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

    Grill Recipes, Grill Side Dish Recipes, Side Dish Recipes
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    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    ALL IMAGES AND DISCUSSION ARE FOR ½ POUND. Double if you want to do a full pound.

    asparagus with oil and seasoning

    Preheat grill to 450° surface temperature, which is the preferred temperature more most chicken and pork recipes. Preheat the grill pan also if thicker.

    rinsing asparagus under running water

    Wash and trim asparagus. I like to cut off ½ inch of the bottom of the asparagus shaft.

    mixing seasoning with oil in small bowl

    Mix olive oil with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

    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

    Add a light coat of a higher temperature oil to your grill pan. Spread evenly over a grill pan.

    flipping the asparagus on the grill pan

    In three minutes, flip 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 finally, your taste.

    asparagus on a white plate

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

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    📝Recipe

    asparagus on a white plate with Parmansan

    Grilled Asparagus

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Easy grilled asparagus makes a great side dish for almost any meal. Just follow these simple step by step photo instructions for great results.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 minutes
    Total Time: 12 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 grill to 450° surface temperature, which is the preferred temperature more most chicken and pork recipes. Preheat the grill pan also if thicker.
      asparagus with oil and seasoning
    • Wash and trim asparagus. I like to cut off ½ inch of the bottom of the asparagus shaft.
      rinsing asparagus under running water
    • Mix olive oil with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
      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
    • Add a light coat of a higher temperature oil to your grill pan. Spread evenly over a grill pan.
      asparagus on a grill tray
    • In three minutes, flip 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 finally, your taste.
      flipping the asparagus on the grill pan
    • Serve immediately. I like a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to add even more taste.
      asparagus on a white plate
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

    Your Own Private Notes

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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.
    3. The grill pan can 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 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 exact grill temperature, the grill pan, and your taste.
    7. You can cook at a higher temperature if it matches your needs, but it will 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

    Nutrition Facts
    Grilled Asparagus
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 58 Calories from Fat 36
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 4g6%
    Saturated Fat 0g0%
    Cholesterol 0mg0%
    Sodium 293mg12%
    Potassium 229mg7%
    Carbohydrates 4g1%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 855IU17%
    Vitamin C 6.4mg8%
    Calcium 27mg3%
    Iron 2.4mg13%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    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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    More Grill Side Dish Recipes

    • Grilled Mixed Vegetables
    • Broccoli Salad with Bacon
    • Grilled Pineapple Slices with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Glaze
    • Fresh Spinach Salad with Bacon

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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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