When it comes to the king of grilled veggies, few grill up as nicely as asparagus. Barbecuing over smoking charcoal imparts even more flavor than roasting, and who can say no to those gorgeous char marks? Whatever asparagus you have on hand will work here: thin stalks get crispy while thicker ones get tender, making them the perfect base for any seasonings or toppings you prefer. Ready in around 5 minutes, this cookout side is a warm weather must we'll be adding to all of our spring and summer dinners. Here's everything you need to know:
How to prepare your asparagus:
— Wash your asparagus. Rinse your spears to remove any dirt or grit before cutting off the ends and tossing in your oil and seasonings.
—Cut off the woody ends. Trim the bottom inch or so off of each spear—it's the part that tends to be super tough and very hard to chew and swallow. For bonus points, throw it into your compost!
—Season your asparagus generously. As simple as it is, proper seasoning can make or break a good bite. To avoid undesirable burning on the hot grates, save other flavors besides salt and pepper—like our burger seasoning or Parmesan—for sprinkling on after the asparagus come off the grill.
How to grill asparagus:
—Let your grill (or grill pan) preheat. You want it HOT, so that you hear a sizzle as soon as the asparagus hits the grate. This is where that char comes into play. A hot grill will ensure that your asparagus develops flavor while cooking to the proper tenderness. A grill that is not quite hot enough will result in more shriveled, dehydrated stalks.
— How long to cook your asparagus. If your stalks are on the bigger side, they'll take a bit longer to cook. You'll know your asparagus is ready when you can easily pierce the middle with a fork, and the stalk bends over easily when picked up.
Grilled asparagus topping ideas:
We love grilled asparagus simply topped with some salt and pepper (and a squeeze of lemon), but you can really get crazy with your toppings. Add some Parmesan and mozzarella like in our cheesy baked asparagus, or recreate our caprese asparagus by adding on roasted tomatoes, cheese, and balsamic vinegar.
Serving ideas for grilled asparagus:
Grilled asparagus is a perfect addition to practically any summer dinner, but if you're looking for some inspo, these stalks would be delicious with our Greek chicken or one-pan creamy spinach-artichoke gnocchi. Or, while you've got the grill fired up, why not make our honey mustard chicken and vegetables foil packets or cilantro-lime grilled salmon?
Storage:
If you have any leftover asparagus, store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Have you made this recipe? Leave a comment below to let us know how you liked it and what you paired it with!
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- Yields:
- 4 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 5 mins
- Total Time:
- 10 mins
- Cal/Serv:
- 107
Ingredients
- 2 lb.
asparagus, stalks trimmed
- 2 Tbsp.
extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Step 1Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Toss asparagus lightly in oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 2Grill, turning occasionally, until tender and charred, 3 to 4 minutes.
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