To make asparagus on a Traeger, first trim the asparagus. Snap off the woody ends at the base of each stalk before grilling. Season with olive oil, black pepper, and salt, and grill at 450°F for 5 to 6 minutes until tender.
Grilled asparagus is the perfect side dish for grilled chicken, burgers, and steaks!
What is the Best Way to Make Asparagus on a Traeger?
To make asparagus on a Traeger, remove the woody ends of the asparagus spears. Since the grill and heat will add a lot of flavor to your grilled veggies, the only ingredients you’ll need to season them are olive oil, ground black pepper, and kosher salt.
Preheat the Traeger grill to 450°F.
Place the seasoned asparagus on the grill grates and cook for around 5-6 minutes, flipping regularly. Use a pair of tongs to turn and roll the asparagus spears for even grill marks.
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Traeger Pellet Grill Asparagus Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Description
This healthy and easy vegetable side dish uses just 5 ingredients. You can make this crispy Traeger grilled asparagus recipe in just 10 minutes. It’s one of the best BBQ sides because it pairs well with any kind of meat or fish!
Ingredients
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Food thermometer
- Pellet grill/pellet smoker
- Hickory wood pellets
Asparagus
- 1 pound fresh asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Fire up the grill to 450°F.
- Slightly bend each asparagus stalk toward the white part. The asparagus should snap naturally where the tough side joins the tender part. Remove and discard the tough pieces at the ends.
- Place asparagus on a baking sheet and add a little olive oil. Rub the olive oil over the vegetables using your hands to ensure each stalk is lightly coated.
- Sprinkle the asparagus with salt and lemon juice.
- Arrange the seasoned asparagus on the grill grates perpendicularly and grill over direct heat for 5 to 6 minutes total time.
- Remove the asparagus from the heat, sprinkle with black pepper, and serve with your favorite main course. Garnish with sliced lemons, if desired.
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 spears
- Calories: 70kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
How Long Do You Grill Asparagus?
You need to grill asparagus for 5 to 6 minutes over high heat to cook it thoroughly. However, some thicker asparagus spears can take up to 10 minutes.
How Long Do You Smoke Asparagus?
You will need to smoke asparagus at 225°F for around 40 minutes, turning halfway through the smoking process.
If you’re pressed for time, you may increase the smoker’s temperature to 350°F, in which case the smoking process should take just 20 to 30 minutes.
At What Temperature Should Asparagus Be Grilled?
When grilling asparagus, it’s highly recommended to cook it at a high temperature of 450°F to achieve good caramelization, which gives the grilled asparagus a nice, smoky flavor.
Your asparagus spears are done once the outside turns brown, and the inside is tender and crispy. At this point, the internal temperature should read about 135°F.
Should Asparagus be Blanched Before Grilling?
The choice is yours! If you like crispy asparagus, cook asparagus without soaking or blanching it first.
If you’d like your asparagus to be softer, you can blanch or soak it before grilling it.
How Do You Prep Asparagus Spears for Grilling?
Making asparagus spears is easy if you know how to go about it.
When asparagus is harvested early, the stalk will be soft. In most cases, asparagus is left to grow a bit longer, so it is likely tough on the bottom. You can trim off the tough ends with a sharp knife and discard the tough ends because they aren’t pleasant to eat.
If you want to serve the entire asparagus spear remove the tough skin from the ends. Using a good vegetable peeler, remove the tough skin from the lower 2 to 3 inches of every asparagus stalk.
Wash the trimmed asparagus in clean water and dry thoroughly before seasoning it with salt and lemon juice.
To bulk up your side dish, include additional veggies like Brussels sprouts. Grill the asparagus with halved Brussels sprouts in a grill basket in single layers for a healthy side dish that is full of fiber and flavor!
Where to Buy Asparagus
You can find fresh asparagus throughout the year in farmer’s markets or grocery stores near you. The best asparagus is found during the spring when this crop is widely available.
Alternatively, you can grow your asparagus at home. Asparagus crowns are normally available in early spring every year to plant in your vegetable garden.
Ideas for How to Season Grilled Asparagus
Seasoning adds flavor and highlights various elements of a dish. Seasonings for your favorite vegetables can include herbs, spices, oils, and sauces!
Here are some grilled asparagus seasoning ideas to get you started:
- Combine minced garlic with fresh ginger and soy sauce for a simple sauce to lightly coat your grilled asparagus.
- If you can handle the heat, add a few finely chopped chili peppers to coat your asparagus.
- For a bolder, earthier flavor, top your grilled asparagus spears with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder, coating the asparagus spears evenly.
- Add fresh herbs for a light yet flavorful grilled asparagus side dish. You can choose from a wide range of fresh herbs. Some excellent options include fresh parsley, cilantro, chives, dill, and green onions.
- Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of lemon juice with a sprinkle of lemon zest will brighten up grilled or roasted asparagus.
- For an indulgent appetizer, top grilled asparagus with Hollandaise sauce or try bacon-wrapped asparagus!