How to Cook Asparagus on the Kamado Mini Grill
Learning how to cook asparagus on the kamado mini grill is essential for your spring and summer menus. Asparagus is in season from February to June, which means it will be fresh and plentiful in spring and early summer barbecues. With only a few months to enjoy this unique and delicious vegetable, make sure you make the most of it.
You can prepare and cook asparagus in a variety of ways, but one of our favorite ways to enjoy it is of course on the grill. When you lightly roast asparagus on the grill, you get a smoky caramel that’s a great side dish for any spring or summer meal. Being able to make the perfect vegetable side dish is one of our favorite health benefits of grilling.
Roasted Asparagus Basics
1.How to Cook Asparagus on the Grill
• Buying and storing asparagus
• Prepare asparagus
• How to cook asparagus on the grill
2. The Best BBQ Asparagus Recipes
3. Tips for Perfectly Roasted Asparagus
How to Cook Asparagus on the Grill
If you’re not sure how to cook asparagus on the grill, fear not! You’re going to learn all the ins and outs of roasting asparagus.
Buying and Storing Asparagus
For the best roasted asparagus results, you need to know how to properly select and store fresh asparagus. When you buy asparagus, look for sturdy stems that stand upright and have a smooth texture. The tips of the stems should be closed and compact.
If the asparagus stems appear soft or wilted, or if the tips are soft or spread out, you should avoid them. Some asparagus may have dark green or purple highlights on the tips. They should also be colorful, with a soft fading to white on the bottom.
Try buying asparagus bunches that are roughly the same length and diameter for easier preparation and consistent cooking.
When you come home with asparagus, trim the bottoms of the stems and wrap the cut with a damp paper towel. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can also trim the stems, place them in a vase with about 1 inch of water, and cover the tips with plastic wrap before placing them in the refrigerator.
Prepare Asparagus
Do not wash asparagus until you are ready to cook. When you’re ready to start the grill, rinse the asparagus well under cold water.
Once clean, use your fingers to break off the bottom inches of the stem in an attempt to remove the tough woody part of the stem. Breaking and cutting it will help it break naturally between the soft and woody parts. If you want to save time, you can also line the asparagus and use a knife to cut off the bottom inch of all stems.
Then, you need to gently dry the stems by rolling them between two kitchen towels.
Next, choose one of the BBQ asparagus recipes below, and oil and season the asparagus as desired. For a quicker, easier option, coat the spears with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
How to Cook Asparagus on the Grill
To cook asparagus on the grill, preheat the grill to high heat and clean the grill.
Once the grill is hot and the asparagus is seasoned, add the asparagus directly to the grill. Make sure to line them up vertically so they don’t fall off the grill.
Roast asparagus for 5 to 10 minutes total. Make sure to turn the spears every few minutes so they cook evenly and the grill marks go around the stems.
When asparagus can be easily pierced with a fork, it’s tender and ready to eat, and you can remove it from the grill.
You can eat asparagus as is or add your favorite toppings. You can find more top ideas in the recipes below.
Another option for cooking asparagus on the grill is to wrap the spears in foil. Make a foil pack around the asparagus and place on the grill for 10 to 15 minutes. Cooking the asparagus in foil will steam the vegetables, so keep in mind that you won’t get the grill marks or the smoky burn effect of cooking directly on the grill.
The Best Roasted Asparagus Recipe
While you can’t go wrong with olive oil, salt, and pepper, there are other ways to flavor grilled asparagus and take your side dish to the next level. We always recommend using tried-and-true spices, but also consider some of the most underrated for a fun twist. Here are some of our favorite grilled asparagus recipes!
Roasted Parmesan Garlic Asparagus
Ingredients:
•1 pound fresh asparagus
•2 tablespoons olive oil
•3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
•2 cloves garlic
•salt and pepper
Directions:
1.Rinse and trim asparagus.
2.Add asparagus to a pot and sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper.
3.Stir well and mix well with seasonings.
4.Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
5.Roast asparagus directly on the grill for 5 to 10 minutes.
6.Once charred and tender, remove the asparagus stems and return to the pot.
7.Toss the veggies with the garlic and Parmesan cheese and serve hot.
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
•1 pound fresh asparagus
•3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
•2 tablespoons lemon juice
•1 tablespoon olive oil
•1 tablespoon soy sauce
•Salt and pepper
Direction:
1.Combine all ingredients in a resealable bag and shake well. Put in refrigerator for up to an hour.
2.Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
3.Use tongs to remove asparagus and reserve marinade.
4.Light oil grill.
5.Cook the asparagus stems directly on the grill for 6 to 8 minutes, coating them occasionally with the remaining marinade.
6.Sprinkle the asparagus with salt and serve hot.
Tips for Perfectly Roasted Asparagus
Remember these important tips to ensure fully cooked asparagus:
1.Always trim or break off the woody ends of asparagus stems.
2.Use tongs rather than a spatula to turn the asparagus to avoid the stems falling out of the grate and ensure better overall control.
3.Do not overcook asparagus. Once the stem can be easily pierced with a fork, it is done cooking. On the grill again, the asparagus will be soft and moist.
4.While foil packs are a great way to cook asparagus, cooking them directly on the grill will ensure the most delicious results.
Cook Asparagus On the Grill
Roasted asparagus is a spring and summer delicacy. It’s easy to prepare and learn how to cook asparagus on the grill. You can customize your grilled asparagus with any flavor combination and pair this delicious vegetable with some delicious grilled meats. If you haven’t tried it yet, give grilled asparagus a chance this season!