Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Smoky, crisp bacon wrapped around tender asparagus spears and grilled until char-kissed and golden. An easy 20–30 minute side dish that’s perfect for summer cookouts or weeknight dinners.
Equipment
- Grill (gas or charcoal)
- Tongs
- cutting board
- sharp knife
- Large bowl
- Paper towels
- Toothpicks (optional, to secure)
- Basting brush (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus spears trimmed; medium-thick spears cook best
- 12 slices bacon thin-cut recommended for faster crisping
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp salt use less if bacon is very salty
- 1 tbsp brown sugar optional, for sweet-salty glaze
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika optional, for extra smoky flavor
- lemon wedges optional, for serving
Instructions
- If using toothpicks, soak them in water for about 10 minutes to reduce burning on the grill. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 205°C) and clean the grates.
- Pat asparagus dry. Trim tough ends (snap or cut off the bottom 1–2 inches). In a bowl, toss asparagus with olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Wrap each asparagus spear with 1 slice of bacon, starting at the bottom and spiraling upward with slight overlap. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Place wrapped spears on the grill perpendicular to the grates so they don’t fall through. Close the lid and grill 10–12 minutes total, turning every 3–4 minutes, until bacon is crisp and asparagus is tender.
- Watch for flare-ups from bacon fat; move spears to a cooler spot if needed. Remove to a serving plate when bacon is golden and crisp.
- Optional: finish with a squeeze of lemon. Serve hot off the grill.
Notes
Tips: Thin-cut bacon crisps faster than thick-cut. If using very thick asparagus, blanch spears 1–2 minutes and dry well before wrapping.
Make-ahead: Wrap asparagus up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Grill just before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to keep bacon crisp. Freezing is not recommended because asparagus turns soft.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcal | Protein: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | |