How to Grill Asparagus to Perfection

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Learning how to grill asparagus is incredibly simple, and it’s a veggie that tastes fantastic with just about everything! Tender asparagus is an easy spring side dish, and perfect for Easter. 

Keep reading – I’ll show you how to grill perfectly tender spears every time, and in just 3 easy steps!!

titled image for grilled asparagus recipe


 

In my opinion, veggies just taste better cooked on the grill. As soon as the weather turns warm, I’m outside grilling up a big plate of corn on the cob or garden fresh zucchini.

Since tender asparagus has a great natural flavor, I don’t like to cover it with a bunch of spices. If you do want a little extra flavor on your plate, you can’t go wrong with a sprinkle of Parmesan.

My Munchkin goes crazy for this dish when I serve the spears with nacho cheese sauce! I think warm cheese is the perfect way to get kids to eat more vegetables – maybe some grown ups, too. 😉

How to Grill Asparagus

This recipe couldn’t be any simpler! All you need is a bundle of fresh spears, a little bit of oil, and some kosher salt.

  1. Clean and trim the spears while you heat up the grill.
  2. Toss with olive oil and salt until lightly coated. If you want to kick up the flavor, you can sprinkle a bit of chili powder or red pepper flakes over it, too.
  3. Grill until slightly tender but still crunchy.
ingredients for grilled asparagus recipe

Cleaning and Trimming

  1. First, rinse the spears in cool water to remove any grit. You can run a few at a time under the faucet or swish them around all together in a bowl of cold water.
  2. Dry the spears by rolling them between two paper towels. Use your fingers to snap off the bottom inch or so of the stalk Or, if you prefer to be more precise, line them up on a cutting board and use a sharp knife instead.

How to Grill Asparagus Perfectly Every Time

Knowing how to grill asparagus is actually the easy part. The tricky part for some people is knowing how to cook it perfectly, because it can go from tender-crisp to limp and soggy before you know it.

  1. Remove any tough outer skin.

    Sometimes the extra-thick spears are very tough, and it can make them difficult to chew. Run a vegetable peeler over the bottom half of each spear to take off a thin layer of peel.
  2. Use quality olive oil. Trust me, it makes a big difference in the flavor! Also, I suggest using coarse grain kosher or sea salt for the best flavor.
  3. Don’t overcook. 

    When you grill asparagus, it’s important to stay nearby. This is because the cook time is short, just 3 minutes per side. The spears can go from tender-crisp to limp before you know it!

Grilling Tools You’ll Need

  • Outdoor or Countertop Grill
  • Tongs – I love this set of 3, and I use every pair of them. They are so handy and grip amazingly well!
grilling asparagus spears

FAQ

What does grilled asparagus go with?

Honestly, perfectly tender asparagus goes well with whatever you’re cooking! Keep it simple to pair with more flavorful dishes, or get creative with spices and sauces depending on the cuisine.

Juicy steaks are always a winner with my family, and the spears are a scrumptious side dish with Honey Balsamic Chicken.

If you’re craving seafood instead, try my Lemon Garlic Shrimp Recipe or delicious Smoked Lemon Pepper Salmon.

How much should I make?

How much you make really depends on whether or not you’ll have other side dishes with your meal. I typically plan for about 3 to 4 spears per person, plus a few extra to taste before serving.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover grilled asparagus?

The easiest method is probably in a skillet on the stove, especially if you don’t want to grill the asparagus again. Add the spears to a wide skillet, over medium heat, with a little bit of oil or butter, then cook until warmed through. Give them a stir every minute or two so they heat evenly.

spears of grilled asparagus on white plate

Enjoy!

With love from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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Other Simple Veggie Recipes


green vegetables on white plate

How to Grill Asparagus to Perfection

Donna Elick
Learning how to grill asparagus is SO simple! This grilled asparagus recipe explains the key to perfectly tender asparagus in 3 easy steps!
5 stars from 1 review
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 6 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Method Grill
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound asparagus spears
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your grill for high heat (about 400-450°F).
  • Meanwhile: wash the asparagus and trim the bottoms. I usually count 3 to 4 spears per person, but also some to taste as they come out of the grill.
  • Put them on a plate. Drizzle with olive oil. Not too much, you want them coated, not dripping.
  • Sprinkle the asparagus with kosher salt. Toss to coat.
  • Grill your asparagus about 2 minutes each side, until they are slightly charred. You want to cook them just enough to warm them up and give them some nice grilled marks, but leave a nice crunch. If you prefer your asparagus softer you can cook until your desired tenderness is reached.
  • Serve warm!

Nutrition

Serving: 4 spears | Calories: 54cal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1746mg | Sugar: 2g | Fiber: 2g | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 2mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled image collage for how to grill asparagus

Originally published April 2021. Last updated May 2022.

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One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    I love asparagus and these turned out far better than mine ever have in the past. I did not realize what a huge difference grilling them makes. A+!

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