From garden to grill, enjoy the natural flavors of grilled asparagus! Get your daily dose of greens with this simple and flavorful side dish.
Grilled asparagus with lemon zest is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this versatile vegetable. Whether served as a side dish or used to create an incredible main, grilled asparagus is sure to please. The smoky charred flavor with its tender texture will have you hooked.
Why You’ll Love Grilled Asparagus
- Quick and easy – Asparagus spears are grilled and ready to go in 10 minutes or less.
- Basic ingredients – Asparagus, salt, pepper, oil, lemon, and garlic are all you need. Don’t you love an uncomplicated dish?
- Healthy – Asparagus is a nutritious, low-calorie vegetable high in fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K.
- Versatile – There are endless ways to serve grilled asparagus. They are great alone, you can add the spears to a salad or pasta dish, soup, and much more.
Grilled Asparagus Ingredients Notes
To make grilled asparagus, you need:
- Asparagus: Choose fresh asparagus with firm, bright green stalks that are plump. You also want to check that the tips are tightly closed. As for whether to choose thick or thin spears, the choice depends on your preference and cooking style. Some like thicker, heartier spears, whereas others enjoy thin, delicate ones. One thing to consider if you go thin is grill time since they cook faster.
- Olive oil: Specifically, extra-virgin olive oil, coats the asparagus to help the seasonings stick and to prevent the asparagus from sticking to the grates. Since these are going over medium-high heat, stick with extra-virgin olive oil because it has a higher smoke point.
- Salt and pepper: Without this duo, you will notice that something is missing. Asparagus are naturally bitter and earthy, but a touch of salt and pepper balances this.
- Garlic: Adds a delicious layer of flavor to the asparagus.
- Lemon zest: Gives a fresh, lemony flavor and aroma that complements the asparagus.
Find a complete ingredients list with amounts in the recipe card below!
How to Make Grilled Asparagus
- Prepare the asparagus: Rinse the asparagus and trim the ends. From there, use a vegetable peeler to expose the lighter part of each stem.
- Preheat the grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you don’t have a grill, use a grill pan.
- Coat the asparagus: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, drizzle the asparagus with this mixture and toss to coat.
- Grill the asparagus: Place the asparagus on the grill and cook for 5-10 minutes until charred and tender. As the asparagus cooks, take a moment to sauté the garlic in the remaining oil, then stir in the lemon zest.
- A final touch (optional): Toss the grilled asparagus in the garlic and lemon mixture to add another layer of flavor.
- Serve: Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and enjoy.
Variations, Substitutions, and Cooking Tips
Select asparagus spears that are the same thickness – Otherwise, they will not grill evenly.
Use a grill pan – If you don’t have an outdoor grill, use a grill pan. When using a grill pan, give it time to reheat before placing the asparagus on the grates.
Try different seasonings – Experiment with herbs and spices, such as thyme, rosemary, or paprika, to switch up the flavor to suit your taste.
Use a marinade – Marinate the asparagus for a few hours before grilling for even more flavor. Balsamic, soy sauce, lemon juice, and a few crushed garlic cloves is a yummy combo.
Add parmesan cheese – Top grilled asparagus with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving for a cheesy twist. The cheese melts immediately on contact to form a delicious salty, nutty layer.
Use wood chips – Use a handful of wood chips to give the grilled asparagus a smokier flavor and aroma. Don’t forget to soak them before use.
What to Serve with Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus is a versatile dish that pairs well with many different foods. Some ideas to consider include the following:
- Garlic chips: Oh my! The fried slivers of garlic are meant to garnish grilled asparagus.
- Grilled meats: Serve asparagus alongside grilled chicken, steak, or fish.
- Pasta: Toss grilled asparagus with pasta and a simple sauce for a quick meal.
- Salad: Add grilled asparagus to a salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
- Rice (or quinoa): Serve grilled asparagus over a serving of rice or roughly chop it and incorporate it into a seasonal pilaf for a filling and nutritious meal.
Storage and Freezer Tips
The chance of leftovers is slim, but in the rare event, skip the freezer and store leftover grilled asparagus in the refrigerator. Wrap it in a foil pouch or store the grilled spears in an airtight container. I wouldn’t suggest keeping them longer than 3 days.
How to Reheat
It is best to reheat grilled asparagus on the stovetop. Start by adding a little oil to a nonstick skillet and heat it over medium. Once the skillet is hot, add the asparagus and cook while occasionally moving the spears around for a few minutes.
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest
From garden to grill, enjoy the natural flavors of grilled asparagus! Get your daily dose of greens with this simple and flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced and crushed into a paste
- Zest of half a lemon
Instructions
- Trim the tough ends off each asparagus spear and peel the bottom of each spear with a vegetable peeler to expose the lighter green part.
- Prepare a grill for medium-high heat cooking.
- Whisk 2 tablespoons of oil in a bowl with salt and black pepper.
- Drizzle the asparagus spears with the oil mixture and toss to coat.
- Transfer the asparagus to the grill and cook for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally or until tender. The total time will depend on how thick the spears are.
- (optional) Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a small pan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook while stirring for a few seconds, then transfer to a large bowl.
- (optional) Stir in the lemon zest, then add the grilled asparagus to the garlic and lemon mixture. Toss to coat.
Notes
Adding garlic and lemon is a nice twist on grilled asparagus but you can't go wrong with just olive oil, salt and pepper. Season how you prefer.
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