Marinated Grilled Asparagus Recipe

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This marinated grilled asparagus recipe is made with fresh asparagus that’s soaked in a flavorful marinade then grilled to perfection. It’s the perfect spring side dish for any occasion.

asparagus on a white plate with lemon slices

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Green, tender spears of asparagus, and spring just go together! When it’s in season, asparagus is on our table almost every night. We will roast it or turn it into an asparagus salad with beans and tomatoes.

Why you will love marinated grilled asparagus

It’s a simple and convenient recipe to make and cooks fast!
Asparagus is a healthy vegetable that is low in calories and a great source of nutrients. (source)
Grilling asparagus brings out the natural sweetness with a touch of smoky flavor.

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this grilled asparagus recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

Fresh asparagus
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Tamari sauce
Garlic
Sesame Oil

🥄Equipment

Grill or a grill pan
Grill topper (not required, but makes it easy if you are using an outdoor grill)
Oblong casserole dish or bowl to marinate the asparagus

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Here is how to make marinated grilled asparagus

Prepare the ingredients: clean and trim the asparagus, and measure the marinade ingredients.

STEP 1: Mix up the marinade ingredients in a small bowl or small mason jar, and pour it over the trimmed asparagus.

STEP 2: Let the asparagus marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

STEP 3: Place asparagus in a single layer on a preheated grill over medium heat, and grill asparagus basting periodically.

STEP 4: Continue to cook the asparagus for approximately 8 minutes until it’s tender. Transfer the asparagus spears to a serving plate and pour the remaining grilled aspar agus marinade over the top.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The full list of ingredients to make this marinated grilled asparagus recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients along with ideas for substitutes.

Garlic powder can be substituted with 1/4 teaspoon per clove of garlic.

Sesame oil adds a nice flavor to this dish. If you don’t care for the flavor or don’t have sesame oil, you can leave it out.

Tamari sauce is a Japanese soy sauce that is gluten-free. It can be substituted with soy sauce one for one.

Check out these tips on how to choose, clean and cook asparagus.

How to store leftover marinated asparagus

Leftover marinated grilled asparagus can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container. Leftovers can be enjoyed reheated, cold, or add them to a salad.

overhead view of asparagus on a plate with lemon

Grilled marinated asparagus variations

Here are a few variations of the marinade that you can use on your grilled marinated asparagus:

Spicy – Add a pinch or more red pepper flakes to the marinade.
Marinated garlic and lemon asparagus Replace the tamari sauce with 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and leave out the sesame oil.
Balsamic Mustard – Leave out the tamari sauce and sesame oil, and add a teaspoon of dijon mustard and a half teaspoon of maple syrup or honey.
Add Cheese – Just before removing the asparagus from the grill, sprinkle it with a tablespoon or two of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Marinated roasted asparagus – Change cooking methods, instead of grilling the asparagus, arrange the marinated spears on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees f for 10 to 15 minutes until they are fork-tender.

Serving Suggestions

Served marinated grilled asparagus garnished with lemon rind or lemon slices with grilled chicken, pork or shrimp. Grilled marinated asparagus is also a great addition to a salad like this simple arugula salad.

Tips

If you don’t have a grill topper, place spears on a skewer to keep the asparagus spears from falling through the grill grates, or use a large piece of tin foil and spread it on the grill.
Don’t overcook the asparagus, as it can become mushy.
For extra flavor, marinate asparagus overnight in the refrigerator.

Recipe FAQs

Below are tips and questions for choosing and cooking fresh asparagus on the grill. If you have a question that is not answered below, comment below and I will respond as soon as possible.

What should you look for when choosing fresh asparagus?

Look for asparagus that is not limp or wilted. It should be bright in color which can be green, purple, or white depending on the variety, and the tips should be compact and dry.

Should you soak asparagus before cooking it?

Fresh asparagus can be gritty, so you will need to rinse it well or soak it in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes, then rinse it off to remove the grit.

How do you trim fresh asparagus?

The easiest way to trim fresh asparagus is to pick up a stalk and hold it in the middle and at the end. Gently bend the stalk until it snaps.

How do you know when grilled asparagus is fully cooked?

Asparagus cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooked asparagus. The stalks should be tender with slight browning on the tips when it is fully cooked.