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This grilled asparagus recipe is the perfect pairing for grilled salmon or grilled chicken legs! My go-to year round is oven roasted asparagus, but during the warmer months, cooking asparagus on the grill is so much better. It turns a simple summertime veggie into a slightly smoky, savory side dish.
Grilled Asparagus Recipe: Why You’ll Love It
- Bright fresh asparagus flavor
- A touch of smoky char from the grill
- Healthy, common ingredients
- Ready in less than 10 minutes
- 3 ways to cook: directly on the grill, on skewers, or in foil
- Easy, simple side dish for summer
Ingredients You’ll Need
This section will explain how to choose the best ingredients for grilled asparagus, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Asparagus – The best way to grill asparagus starts with quality… asparagus! Look for firm tips and stalks, and cut off the woody parts at the bottom of the asparagus stalks. Thick asparagus spears will be easier to work with, because they are less prone to overcooking and you can get a nice char while keeping the crisp tender texture. But, any thickness will work! If your spears are very thin, then grilling asparagus in foil might work better.
- Olive Oil – With so few ingredients, use a quality extra virgin variety if you can. However, any olive oil (or even avocado oil) will work.
- Garlic Powder – Optional, but pairs so well with the fresh flavor of asparagus.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
- Lemon Wedges – Also optional, but add a zip of flavor at the end.
VARIATION: Change up your seasonings!
I love a simple grilled asparagus seasoning of just salt, pepper and garlic powder, but feel free to try other spices like paprika, Italian seasoning, lemon pepper seasoning, or onion powder. You can garnish with fresh herbs, top with grated parmesan cheese, or even make a grilled asparagus marinade using olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
How To Grill Asparagus
This section will show you how to cook asparagus on the grill, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Preheat. Heat your grill at medium-high heat for at least 15 minutes to warm it up. (Or, heat a grill pan on the stovetop for 5 minutes at medium-high heat.)
- Trim the asparagus. Cut off the woody ends of the asparagus, or just bend them and they will snap at about the right spot.
- Season the asparagus. Add the asparagus to a baking dish, drizzle with oil, and top with seasonings. Toss to coat.
- Wrap in foil, if you want. If using foil, place the asparagus on a large sheet of aluminum foil and fold to seal the edges like a packet. Otherwise, skip to the next step.
- Grill. Place the asparagus on the grill, perpendicular to the grill grates. Cook, turning occasionally, until bright green, tender, and charred at the tips. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice if you like!
How Long To Grill Asparagus?
How long to cook asparagus on the grill depends on the cooking method and thickness of the stalks. On average, it takes 2-4 minutes on the grill directly, or 10-15 minutes if wrapped in foil.
Look for a crisp tender texture (or fork tender if you like them softer), bright green color, and char marks (if cooking directly on the grill).
Tips For The Best Grilled Asparagus
- Coat thoroughly in oil. Oil keeps the grilled asparagus from scorching (and helps make those perfect grill marks), so make sure every spear gets completely coated.
- Try skewers to make flipping easier. If you’re grilling asparagus without foil but are afraid it’ll fall through the grates, or want to make it easier to flip, you can skewer the asparagus onto 2 rows of bamboo skewers. Line up 4-6 spears and skewer crosswise through the bottom half, then skewer again through the top half. (I usually skip the effort of this extra step, but it does make flipping easier!)
TIP: Soak your skewers if you use this method.
Soak them in water for at least 1 hour before grilling, so that they don’t start on fire.
- Poke for doneness. If you’re not sure if it’s done, give it a poke with a fork. If it’s tender, it’s time to come off the grill.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Reheat: You can warm up asparagus on the grill over indirect heat, or in a 350 degree F oven.
- Freeze: You can freeze grilled asparagus, but the texture will get a little mushy. Asparagus can store in a freezer-safe container for at least 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Leftover asparagus would also taste amazing sliced up in in a veggie frittata, meal prep egg bites, creamy salmon salad, or mixed with zucchini noodles and alfredo sauce!
What To Serve With Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus makes a versatile and delicious addition to so many dishes! Try these:
- Grilled Meats & Fish – While you have the grill on, make a grilled sirloin steak, quick grilled salmon, or the best burgers. For a special occasion, try grilled lamb chops or grilled lobster tail. And, if you’re a fan of Mexican dishes as much as I am, make pollo asado alongside your aspargus.
- Savory Brunch Dishes – Grilled asparagus tastes amazing paired with cloud eggs or eggs benedict casserole.
- Buttery Sauces – Try drizzling homemade hollandaise or lemon butter sauce over your asparagus. For a nutty, tangy, and toasted flavor, drizzle with tahini sauce.
More Healthy Asparagus Recipes
If you like this grilled asparagus recipe, you’ll love these other easy ways to enjoy this vegetable:
Tools For Grilling Asparagus
- Bamboo Skewers – These make asparagus so much easier to flip.
- Cast Iron Grill Pan – When it’s too cold to grill outside, use this on the stovetop instead.
How To Grill Asparagus
Grilled Asparagus (Fast & Easy!)
Cooking asparagus on the grill leaves it sweet, tender, and smoky — and this is the only grilled asparagus recipe you'll ever need!
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Preheat the grill over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes, or a grill pan for 5 minutes.
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Arrange asparagus in a baking dish. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder, if using. Use your hands to toss and turn the pieces, so that they are evenly coated in oil and seasoning.
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To grill asparagus directly on the grill: Place asparagus on the grill, perpendicular to the grates. Grill for 2-4 minutes, turning halfway through to lightly char all sides, until tender. (Add an extra couple of minutes if your asparagus is thick.)
To grill asparagus in foil: Place the asparagus on a large piece of tin foil, fold over the foil and seal to form a foil packet. Place the foil packet onto the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender.
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Serve with a squeeze of lemon.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 lb, or 1/4 of entire recipe
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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6 Comments
Joan
0This sounds delicious but I would also sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Amy
0So many great tips on how to grill asparagus! They were cooked to perfection all three ways!
Kristyn
0I could eat this as a snack, I love it so much! We have had this grilled asparagus many times already this summer!
Natalie
0This grilled asparagus is my favorite way to cook it! it gives it a nice flavor!
Sandra
0The nutrition facts state that there is 2.1 g in this recipe. Does asparagus really have natural sugar in it? Or, is the sugar count from something else?
Will have to try this…..as soon as we find a new grill. The old one “bit the dust this spring”. Actually, caught on fire; even melted the temperature knobs. It was very old, so now a new one will have to be found.
Will check in after trying this one. In the meantime, could this possibly work in an oven?
Sandra W.
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Sandra, Yes there are natural sugars in the asparagus. Here is the method for cooking Asparagus in the Oven.