Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan

We know that we’ve finally made it through the winter when fresh asparagus starts popping up everywhere. It’s delicious when added to quiches and pasta, but we really love to keep it simple to enjoy its unique flavor. This Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan will become a regular in your spring recipe rotation because it’s so simple to prepare and a total crowd pleaser.

Grilled Asparagus — the perfect recipe for springtime!

Say hello to spring, and to light and delicious side dishes that pair well with just about everything.

While you can buy asparagus year-round these days, we still associate the springtime with the tender bright green stalks and distinct flavor. When you add a bright burst of lemon, and the delicious flavor that comes from cooking asparagus on the grill, you wind up with a springtime staple.

We think you’ll love this stunningly simple recipe, whether you serve it as a wholesome veggie side dish or as an appetizer. It can easily be made dairy-free (and Whole30-friendly) by leaving off the cheese, or alternatively sub a dairy-free cheese of your choice.

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How to Choose the Best Asparagus:

Choose asparagus with spears (or stalks) that are smooth and firm to the touch, with tips that are closed and compact —  not soft or slimy. Stalks should not be withered or soft or unable to stand upright when in a bunch.

It’s a widely held misconception that thick asparagus stalks are less desirable and indicate that it’s past its prime. The thickness of the stalks (which shoot up from the crown or rootball under the surface of the earth) is dictated by the age of the crown, not by how long the stalk has been above ground. So thick stalks will still be tender and sweet and are, in fact, great for grilling because they’re less likely to fall between the grates if you’re not using a grill pan.

What You’ll Need to make Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan

You need surprisingly few ingredients to make this recipe:

• Fresh asparagus – choose stalks that are smooth and firm to the touch.
• Oil – Avocado oil or olive oil will both work, but because grilling asparagus requires high temperatures to get those crispy edges, we recommend using avocado oil because of its higher smoke point (and save the good organic olive oil for drizzling over a salad).
• Salt and Pepper – Fine salt and ground pepper are great but don’t be afraid to try  coarse sea salt or flaked salt and fresh cracked black pepper for a little extra flavor and flair
• Parmesan cheese – The salty nuttiness of parmesan cheese perfectly compliments the natural sweetness of asparagus. Asiago, Grana padana, Romano, and Pecorino cheeses can also be used. For a dairy-free and vegan option, substitute your favorite non-dairy cheese.
• Fresh lemon  – While optional, adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a pleasing brightness to an already drool-worthy dish (plus an extra dose of vitamin C)
• Grill – Gas, charcoal, or wood-fired grills will all do the job!
• Grill pan – While not absolutely necessary for making grilled asparagus with parmesan, you’ll find that a grill pan like this one has so many uses (can you say grilled peppers and onions for fajitas?!). Using a grill pan means you don’t have to worry about losing those precious asparagus spears to the coals or flames.

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How to Make This Grilled Asparagus Recipe

Even if you’re new to grilling, we think you’ll find this recipe surprisingly simple to pull off. Grilling vegetables is a great way to get comfortable with grilling! Rather than relying on temperature, you’ll use visual and tactile cues like color or texture to determine doneness. Grilled asparagus is one of our favorites for meal prepping because it’s delicious both hot and cold.

Step 1: Preheat the grill to medium heat (350-375℉) if using a gas or charcoal grill. If using a Traeger grill or other wood-fired grill that uses indirect heat for cooking, preheat the grill to 450-500℉.

Step 2: While the grill heats up, rinse the asparagus spears under cool, running water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Then use a sharp knife to trim the asparagus, cutting the bottom 1-2 inches from each spear.

Step 3: Arrange the spears on a grill pan (if using) or a rimmed baking sheet (if not using a grill pan and plan to place the spears directly on the grill grate). Then drizzle with oil, and gently rub the oil onto the asparagus with your hands. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Place the grill pan on the grill (or place each spear perpendicular to the grate to prevent them from falling through). Close the lid and cook for 6 minutes (over direct heat) or 8 minutes (over indirect heat) or until the spears are lightly grill-marked, bright green, and tender to your liking. Use tongs to turn the asparagus spears halfway through.

Step 5: Remove asparagus from the grill and then transfer to a plate or serving platter. Finally, sprinkle with parmesan cheese (if using) and serve with lemon wedges.

Grilled Asparagus is a nutritious addition to just about any meal

While asparagus is low in calories, it’s surprisingly high in nutrition. It’s an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein (yes, protein), B vitamins including folate, vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium, vitamin K, and iron while also being very low in sodium. If you ask us, it’s the perfect side dish for any meal – whether that’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

If you wind up with leftovers, try adding grilled asparagus into Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Squash with Bacon and Asparagus, or use it to make a Crustless Asparagus, Leek, and Feta Quiche.

Other Grilled Recipes You’ll Love

• Grilled Pork Tenderloin
• Feta-Spinach Turkey Burgers (Grilled)
• Grilled Steak Kebabs
• Pork Kebabs with Peanut Sauce
• Salmon with Elote-Style Vegetables
• Greek Chicken Kebabs with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
• Mediterranean Steak Bowls

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