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Grilled asparagus is the easiest side dish I turn to when the grill is already hot. No fuss — just toss it on and you’re done.
When asparagus is in season, it truly shines with nothing more than a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grilled until tender with a light char and finished with a squeeze of lemon juice, this simple dish comes together in minutes. It’s one of those simple sides I make on repeat all season — especially when I’m already grilling something like grilled salmon, grilled chicken thighs, or grilled tuna steak.
Whether you’re grilling up meats, plant-based mains, or serving this cold the next day, this grilled asparagus always feels like a little taste of summer.
Table of Contents
What you’ll need
Here’s all you need for this simple grilled asparagus — just a few basics, but the results are so worth it.
- Asparagus: I like to use medium to thick spears for grilling. They hold up better to the heat and get nicely charred on the outside while staying tender inside.
- Olive oil: Just enough to lightly coat the spears. This helps them grill evenly and adds a bit of richness.
- Salt and pepper: Keep it simple — just a pinch of each for perfect seasoning.
- Lemon juice (optional): A fresh squeeze at the end adds brightness. I sometimes grill a lemon half alongside the asparagus — it looks beautiful and adds a lovely depth of flavor.
See printable recipe card below for the full ingredients list and quantities.
How to grill asparagus
1. Trim the asparagus. Snap off the woody ends by hand or cut them with a knife — they’ll naturally break where the stalk gets tender.
2. Season. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat everything evenly.
3. Preheat the grill. Heat your grill to high. If you’re grilling a lemon half, you can place it cut-side-down next to the asparagus.
4. Grill the asparagus. Lay the spears directly on the grates, perpendicular to the bars so they don’t fall through. Grill for 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs, until lightly charred and tender.
5. Serve. Transfer to a plate, squeeze over fresh (or grilled) lemon juice, and serve warm.
Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to serve grilled asparagus
This simple grilled asparagus goes with just about anything off the grill. I often serve it alongside mains like grilled salmon, chicken, or steak — it’s a light, fresh contrast to those richer flavors. You can also slice it up and toss it into pasta, grain bowls, or salads. It’s lovely cold, too — I’ve even added leftovers to omelets or on top of toast with a poached egg. However you serve it, it always adds a fresh, summery touch to the meal.
FAQs
Technically yes, but I don’t recommend it. A little olive oil helps prevent sticking and gives you that nice even char.
Look for light grill marks and a tender-crisp texture — it should bend slightly but not be mushy. Thicker spears usually take closer to 5 minutes.
Yes! You can grill it a few hours in advance and serve it at room temperature — or even cold. It’s great tossed into salads or bowls the next day.
More grilled veggie sides to try
If you’re grilling already, why not throw on a few more veggies? These are some of my favorites:
If you try this grilled asparagus recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Grilled asparagus
Equipment
- 1 Grill
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 bunch medium to thick asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Lemon juice, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Trim the woody ends off the asparagus by snapping or cutting where the stalk naturally bends.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat.
- Preheat your grill to high heat.
- Place the asparagus on the grill, perpendicular to the grates so they don’t fall through. Grill for 3–5 minutes, turning with tongs, until tender and lightly charred.
- Serve warm, with a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe looks perfect! Will it also work in an air fryer?
Yes, you can also use the air fryer. Check out this post for the details: https://www.alphafoodie.com/air-fryer-asparagus/
Fantastic! Very Easy!
Glad you liked it