By Becky Hardin
Updated Oct 26, 2024
Grilled Asparagus is the best simple and healthy side dish! It’s covered in lemon butter and grilled to perfection. Lemon Asparagus is my favorite summer vegetable recipe, made in minutes. Best side dish ever!
What’s in this Grilled Asparagus Recipe?
Sometimes simple is best, and this perfect-for-summer lemon asparagus recipe is no exception. Just three ingredients stand between you and my very very favorite side dish of all time. The perfect pairing for everything from burgers to steak to salad.
- Asparagus: I like nice, thick asparagus stalks for grilling, as they hold up better than thin ones.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and great flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Adds acidity to cut the richness of the butter and bring out the vegetal flavor of the asparagus.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhances the natural flavor do the asparagus.
Pro Tip: Brush a little bit of canola oil on the grill grates to keep the asparagus from sticking.
Variations on Asparagus on the Grill
For this asparagus, simple is better! Think of subtle ways to change the flavor, like swapping the butter for olive oil or the lemon juice for orange juice. Add a few pinches of red pepper flakes for a bit of spice. A sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan cheese would be the perfect garnish for serving!
Cooking asparagus on the grill is such a quick and simple way to make it. It only takes about 7-10 minutes to make it tender and delicious!
There’s no need to soak your asparagus in water before grilling, but I do recommend letting it marinate in the butter/lemon juice mixture for at least 30 minutes for maximum flavor!
While you certainly could par boil 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 was par boiled.
To check for doneness, use a fork to pierce the thickest part of the asparagus. If it pierces easily, it’s done cooking!
Soggy asparagus is usually the result of overcooking. You want to remove the asparagus from the grill as soon as it is fork-tender, as it will continue to cook a bit from the residual heat as it cools.
How to Store and Reheat
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.
How to Freeze
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. That’s why it’s one of my favorite sides, because I know I can make it any time. If I’m in a pinch and need something to go with grilled chicken or any other main dish, I know this will work perfectly!
I love serving this with St. Louis grilled ribs and cowboy beans for a full bbq spread. It goes with the heavier meals just as well as the healthier ones!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound fresh asparagus washed with the ends cut off
- ▢ 2 tablespoons 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 together the melted butter and lemon juice. Pour into a large ziplock bag and add in the asparagus. Make sure all of the asparagus is coated in the butter mixture. 1 pound fresh asparagus, 2 tablespoons 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Asparagus Recipes We Love
- Crispy Garlic Asparagus (with Aioli )
- Roasted Asparagus with Sundried Tomatoes & Pine Nuts
- Three Cheese Asparagus Gratin
- Oven-baked Asparagus
- Sauteed Asparagus with Pancetta
- Asparagus Crescent Rolls
Grilled Asparagus Recipe
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus washed with the ends cut off
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (¼ stick)
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix together the melted butter and lemon juice. Pour into a large ziplock bag and add in the asparagus. Make sure all of the asparagus is coated in the butter mixture. 1 pound fresh asparagus, 2 tablespoons 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
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
