Summary Of The Key Findings
- Grilling asparagus in foil requires little effort but gives you extreme results.
- Once you clean the stalks, lay them on a piece of foil, add a little seasoning of choice, some butter, and other veggies if you desire.
- Seal the foil closed and place it on the grill for 15 minutes.
Let’s discuss a few primary pointers for grilling asparagus in foil which include how to prepare the asparagus, season the stalks, pack and seal the foil.
Additionally and importantly, where to place the foil packet on the grill and how long the grill time should be.
Should I Cut Or Snap Asparagus
The conventional wisdom is that this natural snap-off point is where the unpalatable toughness ends, and the tender asparagus begins. This is one snap decision thats dead wrong. Of course, cutting and peeling individual asparagus spears takes time. But in this case, time really is money.
Yes! Place packet on grill over low heat. Cover grill cook 10 to 15 minutes, rotating packet ½ turn after 4 minutes, until asparagus is tender. To serve, cut large X across top of packet carefully fold back foil to allow steam to escape.
What’s The Best Asparagus To Grill
Everyone has their preferences, but I prefer medium to thick asparagus for grilling. Thin asparagus can become overcooked too quickly, while thicker asparagus gives you the opportunity to achieve the ideal grilled asparagus. Thicker stalks also won’t fall through the grates as easily either.
When buying asparagus from the store, look for stalks that are vibrant green, plump, and with well-defined tops. Steer clear of dull green, withered or wilted stalks, and tops that are mushy.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Grill Grates With Baking Soda
How To Prepare Your Asparagus
The bottom part of your asparagus, where it starts to lose its green color, needs to be trimmed away. You can do this quickly with a knife, but you can also snap the stems. Snapping the stems means all of the harder, woodier stem is broken off and you dont have to guess whats good to eat and whats not. Simply hold the asparagus about a quarter of the way up the stem and snap it like a twig.
Can You Cook Asparagus On The Grill
Yes, you can cook asparagus on the grill. With the traditional method of grilling, you need to look for thick asparagus stalks so that they wont fall through the grates of the grill. With this foil packet method, you can use any size asparagus you like, and theres no risk of losing the stalks in the fire!
Read Also: What Is Wood Pellet Grill
What To Serve With Grilled Asparagus In Foil
This healthy asparagus side dish is just so delicious! Youll find that it pairs easily with just about everything. So enjoy it while you can, because spring asparagus season is truly too short! If you make this Grilled Asparagus in Foil, please let us know by leaving a review and rating below!
And make sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow along on , TikTok, , , and for more Well Seasoned recipes! DONT FORGET to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #wellseasonedstudio !! We LOVE seeing what youre up to in the kitchen!
How To Prepare Asparagus For Grilling
Get rid of the woody ends. The ends of asparagus are woody and tough to eat. Be gone, woody ends!
Trim asparagus with a snap. To prepare the asparagus, simply snap the ends to trim by bending each stalk gently about 2/3 of the way down the stalk. The asparagus will naturally break where the woody part begins, leaving tender stalks perfect for eating.
Or, line them up and cut all at once. If patience is not your virtue and snapping asparagus sounds blasé, line up a handful of the asparagus in a row and use a sharp knife to cut the asparagus 2/3 of the way down the stalk. Likewise, use a knife to tidy up the ends of the snapped asparagus if desired.
Season simply. Because the fire and grill adds so much flavor to grilled vegetables, olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper are the only flavorings youll need for dynamite grilled asparagus.
You May Like: How To Make Grilled Lobster
How Long To Grill Asparagus:
It only takes about 6-7 minutes per side to grill asparagus. This recipe is so incredibly quick and simple.
The asparagus continues to cook after you pull it off the grill so go ahead and open it once you remove it.
You want the asparagus to be fork tender but not mushy. It is important to watch it closely and not step away from the grill. Overcooked asparagus is soft and mushy.
Once you learn how to cook asparagus correctly, it is crispy and delicious.
How Long Does Asparagus Last
It lasts about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. However, it can last up to 10 days if prepared and stored in a particular way.
The ends need to be trimmed and the asparagus placed in a jar with a little bit of water. This is very similar to how you would store flowers. Utilizing these tips will significantly prolong the shelf life of asparagus.
Learn how to store asparagus and keep it fresh.
Read Also: Applebee’s Grill + Bar Dover
Grilling Asparagus In A Grill Basket Or Vegetable Grate
If you have a grill basket or vegetable grate, this is a great place to use that accessory. Place the trimmed spears into a grill basket on on the grate, making sure they are not layered too deeply. You want them to cook quickly and evenly, so while you dont need only a single layer of vegetables in the basket or tray, you want to make sure everything has a chance to be at the bottom against the fire, so dont stack them too thickly.
Toss them every few minutes as they grill, until they have some nice browned spots and are tender. This will take anywhere from 3 to 8 minutes total, depending on how many asparagus are in the basket, whether the basket was heat on the grill to start with, how high the heat of the fire is, and again the thickness of the stalks.
Do You Wash Asparagus Before Cooking
Yes, asparagus needs to be washed to remove any dirt from the stalks. Fine grit and sand can often be hidden in the stalks. You definitely want to wash all of this away before cooking.
Do not wash until you are ready to cook the asparagus. The moisture will cause the asparagus to be slimy when stored if not cooked as soon as washed.
Recommended Reading: What Is Infrared Technology In Grills
How To Season Grilled Asparagus:
- Add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and some cherry tomatoes.
- 2 tablespoons Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese.
- Add in ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
These are really tasty variations for even more ways to enjoy grilled asparagus. One of my favorites is Parmesan cheese.
Yum! Top it with the cheese as soon as it comes off the grill for the best flavor.
There are many variations you can try with grilled asparagus. It is super easy to adapt the recipe for seasonings you already have in the pantry.
Try some of these flavor combinations when you are in the mood for something different. Any of these options are amazing.
Recipes To Add Asparagus To
The methods listed above are great when it comes to cooking asparagus on its own for a side dish. But there are more ways to use asparagusyou can also incorporate it into dishes like salads, pastas and stir-fries.
We love this Fontina Asparagus Tart, Radish Asparagus Salad and Feta Asparagus Frittata. For something creamy, try these asparagus soup recipes!
Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Grill On The Market
Grilled Asparagus Flavor Variations
- Veggies: You can add other quick-cooking vegetables to these foil packets if youre looking for a little variety. I recommend trying sliced zucchini, diced red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, yellow squash, thinly sliced red onions or even frozen corn kernels.
- Flavorings: Amp up the flavor by adding lemon zest, sun dried tomatoes, olives, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, cooked crumbled bacon, pine nuts or sliced almonds.
- Cheese: After the asparagus packets are cooked through, add a sprinkle of parmesan, feta or mozzarella cheese.
This grilled asparagus in foil is my go-to vegetable side dish when its hot out. If youre an asparagus fan, youll definitely want to give this one a try.
Preparing The Asparagus Stalks For Foil Grilling
The first most essential thing to mention is that you should be using fresh asparagus and not the canned kind.
Wash and drain your asparagus stalks well. Cut about 1½-2inches off the ends of the stalks because those are hard to chew parts of asparagus .
You want to make sure you drain your stalks well and, if needed, dry them over a clean tea towel or paper towel so they don’t release too much water when grilling and become soggy.
Read Also: Chill N Grill Goose Creek
Can You Grill Asparagus In Foil
Yes, you can most definitely grill asparagus in foil. A foil packet is a great way to keep food from falling through the grill grates, and it helps to steam the veggies while they cook.
I cooked my asparagus directly on the grates and wrapped in foil, and both produce great results. This foil recipe is great for beginners who are looking for a simple side to add to their BBQ dinner.
How To Choose The Right Asparagus
Your first step is to buy some high-quality asparagus. Try to choose fresh asparagus bundles around the same length. You dont need to worry too much about thick or thin, though thick asparagus stems will be more forgiving if you make a mistake and leave them on the grill for too long. Just make sure theyre firm and youre good to go.
Also Check: How To Prepare Steak For Grilling
Foil Pack + Seasonings
- Place about a pound of asparagus spears on a large piece of tin foil.
- Then, drizzle on a generous amount of olive oil, making sure everything is nicely coated. Season with salt and pepper and any other seasonings your heart desires.
- Use your hands to toss the asparagus so that everything is coated.
- Place another piece of tin foil on top of the asparagus and fold the sides in tightly creating a foil pack. This prevents air from coming in and out and will essentially grill and steam your asparagus at the same time!
Faqs About Grilled Asparagus
Recommended Reading: Who Makes The Best Smoker Grill
Other Ways To Serve Grilled Asparagus
- With crispy crumbled bacon
- Other than Parmesan, you could top them with grated Gruyere, Pecorino, or Pepper Jack for a nice kick!
- Go Asian-inspired: toss with soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and lime juice! Stir fried sesame asparagus? Yes, please!
- Go Tex-Mex inspired: toss with garlic, chili powder, cumin, and lime juice, then serve with thinly sliced scallions or finely chopped red onion
- Go Mediterranean: serve with kalamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, and feta cheese!
- Like crunch? Add crushed pistachios, toasted pine nuts, or slivered almonds before serving!
- Cut the leftovers into bite size pieces, then toss with pastas, rice dishes, or add to breakfast scrambles!
Pro Tips For The Best Grilled Asparagus
A couple of pro tips will help you get the most out of your grilled asparagus.
- Use thick asparagus stalks if youre cooking on grates. Avoid using thinner stalks if youre grilling the asparagus directly on the grill grates. This will prevent the spears from falling through into the fire!
- Avoid over flipping the asparagus. Avoid over flipping the spears or foil packet. If youre cooking on grates, over flipping can compromise the char marks. If youre steaming the asparagus in the foil packet, youll increase the odds of tearing the foil.
- Play around with different seasonings. This is a great baseline recipe, but feel free to tweak it with your favorite seasonings. Tack on some freshly cracked black pepper Add a squeeze of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar right after they come off the grill.
Hot Tip: Dont want to fire up the grill? Use a grill pan on your stove top instead.
Don’t Miss: Where To Store Grill Tools
How To Use Leftover Grilled Asparagus
Having leftover grilled asparagus can be such a treat! Some ideas are:
РToss into a summery vegetable pasta salad with a vinaigrette dressing.- Use as omelette filling with bacon and goat cheese.- Mix into scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and dill.- Use on a snack tray with cheeses, cured meats, fruit, and crackers.- Make a grilled cheese with Gruy̬re and ham.- Toss in a salad with radishes, corn, tomatoes, and feta.
How To Prepare Asparagus For Cooking
Before you try any of the methods for cooking asparagus, you’ll want to trim up the asparagus stalks. Trimming asparagus is a “snap.” To remove and discard the tough woody ends of the stalks before cooking, you can just cut them off with a knife. But what’s more fun is to use your hands to snap the stalks in two. They naturally snap at about the point where the woody part begins. Once you’ve snapped your asparagus, you can line them up and give the bottom ends one last neat trim, if you’d like.
Related: How to Buy and Store Asparagus
Read Also: What Size Grill Cover Do I Need
Notes For Grilling Asparagus In Foil
Hold your asparagus there, folks! I have a few words of wisdom for you backyard BBQ heroes to help you make the most of this grilled asparagus.
- Go small. Normally, I recommend thicker stalks of asparagus for grilling, but thanks to the foil wrap, you can pick the smaller stalks. Your grilling time will be shorter the thinner your stalks are, so keep an eye on them while cooking.
- Snag a Microplane grater. This whole recipe is made better by well-zested lemons and grated garlic. A good Microplane grater will even finely shred your Parmesan cheese so it just floats onto your asparagus like a fluffy little cheese cloud.
- Grab that heavy-duty foil. Regular will work, but extra-wide 18-inch heavy-duty foil makes this process so much easier. If youve only got the 12-inch foil at home, you may need to layer two pieces to get full asparagus coverage
Is Asparagus Good For You
Lets start with some good news! This veggie is a nutritional POWERHOUSE. No wonder my parents were always trying to get us to eat it as kids. Asparagus is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with antioxidants.
Get this, mamas: asparagus is also high in folate, a nutrient that is vital for a healthy pregnancy and many important processes in the body, including cell growth and DNA formation. If youre in the baby-making stage of life, eat your asparagus! If youre not, eat your asparagus! Its really an amazing vegetable for anyone.
Now, let me show you the very BEST way to prepare that super healthy asparagus.
Recommended Reading: How To Grill Ribeye Steak On Gas Grill
Why Grilled Asparagus In Foil Works
Grilled asparagus is one of those vegetables that we could eat every single day! What you will never find on our plate is sad, steamed, mushy asparagus. So if youre looking for that, keep on walkin by. Today, were sharing how to make a simple, healthy grilled asparagus in foil that keeps the stalks crispy, right until you serve them!
We love to season the asparagus with fresh lemon juice and a hefty sprinkling of Parmigiano Reggiano that nuttiness works so well with spring asparagus!
Read on below for our tips and tricks to make this beautiful spring and summer side dish perfectly every single time!
How To Grill Asparagus In Foil With Other Vegetables
If you want to add other veggies to your foil packet with asparagus, you most certainly can do that.
Chop up your veggies and season them as you typically would, then place them in the foil on top of the asparagus stalks and seal the foil closed.
Grill your asparagus and veg foil packs for 1-20 mins on the hot grill till the vegetables are tender.
Don’t Miss: How Long To Grill Salmon On Cedar Plank
How Long Should Your Grill Asparagus Foil Packets
While it takes only 2-4 minutes to grill asparagus directly on an open grill, cooking in foil packets takes about 10-15 minutes.
In addition, it would depend on the thickness of the stalks.
Thin asparagus stalks may take only 10 minutes, while thicker ones can take 15-17 minutes before they turn tender.
You can carefully open the foil packet with a tong and heat-protective gloves to check your asparagus stalks after 10 minutes. If they are ready, remove them and serve.
If they are not tender enough, seal the foil and put them back on the grill for a few more minutes.
