Quick Look at this Simple Grilled Asparagus Recipe
- Ready In: 10-15 minutes!
- Serves: 6
- Course: side dish
- Main Ingredients: fresh asparagus, oil, salt, and pepper – that’s it!
- Dietary Info: Whole30, Paleo, dairy-free, gluten-free, plant-based, vegetarian
- Best For: summer side dish, toss on a salad, add to a frittata or quiche
- Serving: best enjoyed with cedar plank salmon or perfectly grilled steaks!
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Why I Make This On Repeat All Summer
- Only 3 ingredients!
- Takes 15 minutes total from prep to on the table.
- Cooks on the grill – no clean-up!
- Absolutely love that smoky, charred flavor.
- Goes with anything – the perfect side dish!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- Asparagus – these tender spears have tough, woody ends that should be cut off before cooking. Personally, I feel thinner asparagus spears are more tender and flavorful but feel free to use what you have.
- Oil – any neutral oil works here, olive oil, avocado oil, etc.
How To Grill Asparagus
Step 1 – Cut off the bottom inch or so of the asparagus.
Step 2 – Drizzle with oil and rub to coat all sides.
Step 3 – Season with salt and pepper.
Step 4 – Grill directly on the grill grates for 5-6 minutes.
How to Grill Asparagus in Foil
- If you prefer to keep the charring to a minimum or are worried about asparagus falling through the grates, try grilling asparagus in foil.
- Simply fold up the sides of a large piece of aluminum foil to create a boat to hold all of the asparagus. It should be large enough for most of the spears to lay in a single layer.
- Place the trimmed asparagus in the foil boat, rub with oil, season with salt and pepper, and then move the whole thing to a preheated grill.
- Let cook over direct heat for 7-9 minutes or until tender; tossing occasionally.
Best Way To Serve Grilled Asparagus
Keep it simple with oil, salt, and pepper or dress it up with other additional flavors, like these:
- Lemon – sprinkle on some lemon zest or squeeze fresh lemon juice on top!
- Cheese – freshly shredded parmesan cheese or feta cheese crumbles.
- Add a crunch with toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds.
- Kick up the heat with some red pepper flakes.
👉 Add this simple side dish to a complete meal made entirely on the grill, like our grilled spatchcock chicken, grilled pork tenderloin, or grilled salmon fillets.
👉 Grilled asparagus can also make a great addition to salads, pastas, or even breakfast (like my prosciutto and asparagus frittata).
Grilled Asparagus FAQs
Up to you, but not necessary. We love nice, crisp asparagus with a bit of char on the outside so we keep it simple and cook it right on the grill without blanching or soaking first. If you like asparagus to be a bit softer or to have less char on the outside, you can absolutely soak or blanch it before placing on the grill.
This depends on their thickness. We have found that about 5-6 minutes of cooking time seems to cook the tender asparagus, without getting it mushy or too charred. It may be shorter for thinner spears and longer for thicker ones.
Preheat the grill to a medium heat (350-400 degrees F) and then grill the asparagus over direct heat. They don’t take long to cook, so they shouldn’t get too charred.
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Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Clean grill grates and preheat the grill to 450℉.
- Trim Asparagus: Lay 1 bunch fresh asparagus on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut off the bottom inch or so of the stalks. Discard.
- Season: Place asparagus on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. Use your hands to massage the oil into the asparagus so each piece is lightly coated and sprinkle with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
- Grill: Once the grill is hot, place the asparagus horizontal on the grill grates so they don't fall through and cook on direct heat for a total of 5-6 minutes, use tongs to move the asparagus around once or twice as they cook.
- Serve: Remove and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Asparagus in Foil: this was also tested and can be done by turning a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil into a large boat by folding up the sides. It should be large enough to hold all of the asparagus in a single layer. Put asparagus in the foil boat after trimming. Rub with oil and season with salt and pepper. Move the whole thing to the grill and let cook for 7-9 minutes or until tender, tossing occasionally.
- Storage: place in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
- Optional Additions: feel free to add some shredded parmesan cheese, lemon zest, squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or red pepper flakes after grilling.
Bridget says
We make this on repeat every summer – so good!