Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus is a universally loved side dish during barbecue season. It's also one of the easiest vegetables to grill—just wash, season, and plop onto a hot grill. In a matter of minutes, you've got a tender side dish that needs little more than salt and pepper to finish.

Here, learn how to grill asparagus so it's perfectly cooked each and every time. Plus, find fun ways to spruce plain asparagus up if you ned exciting toppings for the final dish.

The Easiest and Most Delicious Grilled Asparagus

When I fire up the grill, I am committed to the grilling experience. I grill every veggie I can get my hands on; onions, potatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, corn, mushrooms, eggplant, you name it! To me, it's the epitome of grilling season in the South.

Asparagus is one of my all-time favorite vegetables to grill. It's simple and straightforward to handle and cook and always a crowd pleaser.

Once grilled, the asparagus gets caramelized with a slightly smoky, charred flavor, and yet remains tender and crisp all at the same time. I personally love having leftovers to throw into a pasta dish with cream sauce, mix in scrambled eggs with cheese and fresh herbs, or chopped up and tossed in a big salad.

Whether you go overkill like me on the gas or charcoal grill, or you are grilling indoors with a grill pan, Grilled Asparagus makes for a seriously easy and delicious addition to any meal any time of year.

Grilled Asparagus Ingredients

The ingredient list for grilled asparagus is short:

• Asparagus: Look for asparagus that is bright, crisp, and vibrant. If there are any brown or soggy spots, keep looking.
• Oil: This can be extra-virgin olive oil, olive oil, grapeseed, avocado, or any cooking oil that has a high smoke point and a mild flavor profile.
• Salt and pepper: You can certainly add any seasonings you want to your grilled asparagus, but for this recipe, we're keeping it wimple with salt and pepper.

How To Grill Asparagus

Asparagus is one of those vegetables that has nothing to hide. What you see is what you get: no seeds to take out or a skin to peel (unless you're a fancy French chef—some of them do like their asparagus peeled). Not a lot of prep is required, and that is one of the reasons it makes it so easy to prepare.

1. Trim it

If you've worked with asparagus before you'll know the one main thing you have to do before you cook and eat them is trim the "woody" ends. This consists of the 1- to 3-inch portion on the bottom of the asparagus stalk.

This part of the Asparagus is practically inedible and the consistency is very fibrous and tough, hence the term "woody." That's not what we want when biting into a tender yet crisp vegetable like asparagus.

2. Oil, Toss, Season!

When grilling any vegetable, the oiling and seasoning is the most important part. Go ahead and pull out a sheet tray, lined with aluminum foil or parchment for easy clean-up.

Then, pour or drizzle oil over the asparagus. Toss the asparagus, and ensure that each stalk is well coated in oil so that the vegetable will cook evenly, get a crispy, caramelized texture, and prevent sticking.

Then, lightly season with kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss again. Once your asparagus is trimmed, oiled, and seasoned, it's time to grill.

3. Turn Up the Heat!

Preheat your gas grill to 350-400°F. Then, using an oiled kitchen towel or paper towel, carefully wipe the grates. This removes any metallic or charred debris remaining and also oils your grates to prevent sticking.

If using a grill pan inside your home, preheat your grill pan on medium-high heat. Be sure the grill pan is clean and free of cooked-on debris. Use an oiled kitchen towel or paper towel to carefully wipe down the pan.

Line your asparagus up across the preheated grates perpendicular so they don't fall through. Don't bunch or overlap the asparagus so each stalk gets its chance to get charred and caramelized.

After 3 minutes, roll the asparagus with a pair of tongs to achieve even grill marks.

Step 4. And We're Done!

Remove cooked asparagus from the grill, and serve. Asparagus will continue to steam and cook slightly as it sits. Be sure not to cover or it will overcook.

How Long To Grill Asparagus

Cook asparagus until well marked and tender, but still bright green in color and crisp. The ideal doneness for grilled asparagus is achieved by high heat and a short cooking time.

Cooking time is determined by how thin or thick your asparagus is. At 400°F, thinner asparagus takes only about 5 minutes, while thicker asparagus take 6 to 10 minutes.

The best result for grilled asparagus is an al dente texture, so always shoot for the lower cook time. You'll know it's ready when a fork pierces the spears, and the spear sags just a little bit (not too much) when lifted with tongs.

What's the Best Asparagus to Grill?

Everyone has their preferences, but I prefer medium to thick asparagus for grilling. Thin asparagus can become overcooked too quickly. Thicker stalks also won't fall through the grates as easily either.

When buying asparagus from the store, look for stalks that are vibrant green, plump, and with well-defined tops. Steer clear of dull green, withered or wilted stalks, and tops that are mushy.

Toppings for Grilled Asparagus

I love a dipping sauce! Who doesn't? My favorite dip for grilled asparagus is a super easy homemade mayonnaise with basil aioli.

Other fun and delicious topping ideas include:

• toasted breadcrumbs
• lemon zest or juice
• freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
• crumbled feta
• toasted nuts, like sliced or slivered almonds, walnuts, or pecan
• browned butter
• fresh chopped herbs like basil, parsley, chives, dill
• balsamic drizzle or glaze
• crumbled bacon pieces
• flaky sea salt

Pro Tips for Delicious Grilled Asparagus

While grilled asparagus is simple and nearly foolproof, there are a few tips that even experienced grillers might be happy to learn:

• Save it for last: If you are grilling a lot of other things, save the asparagus for last. When you've cleared everything else off the grill, you can turn the heat up to high, and the asparagus won't get lost or over crowded. Plus, it takes no time to grill asparagus! So while you're getting the rest of the dishes ready, the asparagus is cooking and will be ready to serve immediately.
• Got foil? If you would prefer to grill asparagus using foil instead of directly on the grill grates, cover the part of your grill you would like to use with foil, then follow the preheat instructions. The rest of the process will be the same as well. You may not achieve the same grill marks, but the caramelization and flavor will be delicious.

How To Use Leftover Grilled Asparagus

Having leftover grilled asparagus can be such a treat! Some ideas are:

• Toss into a summery vegetable pasta salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
• Use as omelette filling with bacon and goat cheese.
• Mix into scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and dill.
• Use on a snack tray with cheeses, cured meats, fruit, and crackers.
• Make a grilled cheese with Gruyère and ham.
• Toss in a salad with radishes, corn, tomatoes, and feta.