Usually we make roasted asparagus or broiled asparagus, but here’s our warm-weather favorite: grilled asparagus! Grilling might be the very best way to cook asparagus: it’s easy, requires only a few ingredients, and comes out tender and charred, with a hint of smoke. Spritz it with lemon juice for a little brightness, and it’s a fresh and healthy side dish you won’t be able to stop eating! Alex and I have now added asparagus to our regular rotation for grill recipes for the season.
How to grill asparagus: step by step
You don’t need anything special for grilled asparagus like a grill basket: just place it right on the grill grates! The only thing to keep in mind is that thinner spears of asparagus cook faster. You may even want to cut off more of the tough thick ends that you usually would, because they’ll take longer to cook than the thin tops. For exact steps and quantities, go to the full recipe below.
Asparagus: Look for thin or medium thick spears, which have a sweet flavor and cook faster. Lemon: Fresh citrus brings a zingy pop to the flavor. Olive oil: This heart-healthy oil is ideal for grilling.
If you’d like you can sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese as a garnish, but it’s not necessary flavor-wise. It’s perfect with just a spritz of lemon! Variations: For a spicy kick, add a sprinkle of red chili flakes before serving. Or, serve topped with a sauce like lemon dill sauce or mustard sauce, or sprinkle with fresh herbs like basil, chives, or mint.
Ways to serve grilled asparagus
Since grilled asparagus is so easy to prepare, it’s a natural pairing with all sorts of grilled meals! Once you’ve got the grill fired up for the main dish, it’s easy to toss on some spears. Here’s what we’d recommend serving with it:
Fish: Salmon and fish make an elegant pair! Try grilled salmon, grilled tilapia, or grilled halibut. Chicken: Try grilled chicken or grilled chicken thighs. Shrimp: This grilled shrimp or grilled shrimp skewers would make a fantastic pair with asparagus. Tofu: This grilled tofu is full of big flavor. Eggplant Parmesan: A fun vegetarian option, grilled Eggplant Parmesan is a grilled spin on the Italian classic.
A few more asparagus recipes
Love asparagus? Check out how to cook asparagus and our favorite asparagus recipes below!
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