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Asparagus never tasted so good! Marinated in lemon butter and grilled to perfection, this Grilled Asparagus recipe is simple and healthy- one of my all-time favorite veggie sides. I take fresh, thick-cut asparagus and marinate it 30 minutes before searing it on the grill so it turns out chewy, tart, and absolutely delicious. The best part is that it complements pretty much any of my favorite main dishes and comes together without much effort. Whether I need an easy weekday side or something for a weekend dinner party, this asparagus recipe fits the bill.
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“My husband and I have frequent date nights, and a lot of them are here at home… We grilled some Cod fillets and made some seasoned rice as a side, and this DELICIOUS Lemon Butter Grilled Asparagus. Oh my, this recipe is simple, but it packs huge flavor and we loved it! It was perfect with the grilled Cod, but would be perfect with any main protein. It’s a MUST try! Thank you for this recipe!” -Christine
Easy Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Sometimes simple is best, and this perfect-for-summer lemon asparagus recipe is no exception. I take fresh asparagus and marinate it with melted butter and freshly squeezed lemon juice. While it sits in the fridge absorbing flavor, I prepare the rest of my meal, and then, when it’s ready to go, it takes just 10 minutes for me to get it on the table.
There really isn’t any meal I wouldn’t serve this asparagus with, and it works for a busy weeknight or for a weekend dinner with friends and family. Though it does require some time to marinate, that frees me up to prep the rest of the meal. I estimate 1 pound of asparagus for 4 people, so if I’m entertaining, I’ll usually make a double batch.
Tips for Beginners
- No need to parboil. While you could parboil your asparagus to cut down on the cooking time, it’s really not necessary. The marinade penetrates the raw asparagus better than it would if it were parboiled.
- Check for doneness. Use a fork to pierce the thickest part of the asparagus. If it pierces easily, it’s done cooking.
- Change up the flavor. Swap the lemon juice for orange juice, add a few pinches of red pepper flakes, or sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan.
- Fresh lemon juice is best. Though bottled will work, for the best flavor, I prefer freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fresh asparagus washed with the ends cut off
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted (¼ stick)
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Video
Instructions
- Mix the melted butter with the lemon juice. Pour it into a large Ziplock bag and add the asparagus. Make sure all of the asparagus is coated in the butter mixture.1 lb. fresh asparagus, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Place in the fridge for about 30 minutes before grilling.
- When ready to grill, heat grill to medium high (about 400-450°F) and brush with canola oil.
- Add the asparagus directly to the grill and grill for 7-10 minutes, flipping once.
- When fully cooked, remove from the grill and season with salt and pepper to taste.kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Becky’s Tips
- Parboiling will cut down on the cooking time, though not necessary, and the marinade penetrates the asparagus better if it’s raw.
- Pierce the thickest part of the asparagus; if it pierces easily, it’s done.
- Use orange juice instead of lemon; add a few pinches of red pepper flakes, or sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan.
- Though bottled lemon juice works, for the best flavor, I prefer freshly squeezed.
- Store grilled asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in a 400°F oven until heated through.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Grilled Asparagus Step by Step
Marinate the asparagus: Mix 2 tbsp of melted butter with ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice. Pour the mixture into a large Ziplock bag and add 1 lb. of fresh asparagus, ensuring the asparagus is fully coated. Place the Ziplock in the fridge for 30 minutes before grilling.
Get the grill ready: Heat the grill to medium-high (about 400-450°F) and brush with canola oil so the asparagus doesn’t stick.
Cook the asparagus: Add the asparagus directly to the grill and grill for 7-10 minutes, flipping once.
Serve: Remove from the grill and season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
How to Store
Store leftover asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 400°F oven for about 5 minutes, or until heated through.
Freeze asparagus in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This lemon asparagus truly goes with everything. One of my favorite pairings includes these St. Louis grilled ribs, as the deep, sweet, and savory flavors complement the fresh and tart flavors of the asparagus. Another option, if I’m not up for the task of preparing ribs, is this classic Tuscan salmon. The brightness of the asparagus contrasts nicely with the rich cream sauce. And of course, for those busy weeknights, nothing beats asparagus and grilled marinated chicken. This recipe serves 4 as a side dish.
More Asparagus Recipes To Try
- Oven Roasted Asparagus With Sun Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan is a delicious Mediterranean-inspired side dish suitable for any occasion.
- Sauteed Asparagus With Pancetta features sliced pancetta, leeks, garlic, and pine nuts, for a side dish bursting with flavor.
- In this delicious Crispy Garlic Roasted Asparagus recipe, I top the asparagus with garlic, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
My husband and I have frequent date nights, and a lot of them are here at home. We have the best time with our at home date nights. This time, we chose to have a nice dinner with soft music and candlelight. We grilled some Cod fillets, and made some seasoned rice as a side, and this DELICIOUS Lemon Butter Grilled Asparagus. Oh my this recipe is simple, but it packs huge flavor and we loved it! It was perfect with the grilled Cod, but would be perfect with any main protein. It’s a MUST try! Thank you for this recipe!
Could you roast this in the oven on a grill pan? What temp and cooking time? Trying to eat healthier.
400 for 12-20 minutes depending on your preference.
Delicious with Tri-Tip, roasted potatoes and cheesecake for dessert! Thank you! Great recipe!
Thanks for sharing with us, Sheri!
Can you do it in advance like 3 hours before grilling or will it make a difference?
I am sure you could do three hours!
I can’t find the stuffed chicken recipe. Help?!
https://www.thecookierookie.com/3-ingredient-spinach-dip-stuffed-chicken/
Is this the recipe you were searching for?
I love lemon on my veggies! These look crazy good–love that they’re grilled!
This is so up my alley! I love asparagus with lemon…I make it that way all the time. Usually I roast it though, rather than grilling. But now that the grill is out again, I think we’ll have to start grilling it more. Why heat up the kitchen?!
We love grilled asparagus in my house! In fact, we eat it so often it’s a little crazy. Your platter of asparagus looks scrumptious!
I love pretty much any veggie on the grill, and this asparagus doesn’t look like it would be an exception. Love how the simle preparation would let the flavor shine through!
Asparagus sounds delicious. I do a version in the oven. Got to have that recipe for ?Chicken pockets, shown in the picture with the asparagus! Looks like fresh mozz, fresh basil and tomato slice. Also looks delicioius and and elegant dinner party item!