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Smoked Asparagus

Smoked Asparagus – This fabulous veggie never tasted better! Perfectly tender with a touch of crispness and generously seasoned with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs to complement the pleasant bittersweet flavor. Smoked asparagus is an ideal side for any main course. πŸ’š

Enjoying smoked asparagus with smoked pork

This is a summer classic in my family. When asparagus becomes abundant in my backyard garden or farmer’s market, I add it to my menu on the regular. Abd it’s one of my favorite vegetables.

Plus, smoking asparagus is a breeze. If you’re already smoking a protein for dinner, it’s a fantastic way to round out your meal and cook everything at once and in the same place. You’ve heard of one-pot meals, but how about one-smoker meals? If that’s a thing, I’m here for it! πŸ˜†

Mouthwatering smoked asparagus ready to serve

Choose the Best Stalks for Smoked Asparagus

If you’re hunting down asparagus at the grocery store, try to choose a bundle at peak freshness for the best results in your smoker. How can you tell if asparagus is fresh? It comes down to texture and color.

A good bunch of asparagus will be firm and smooth to the touch, not wilty. They should stand up straight, and the tips should be closed and compact, not soft and open. As for color, look for rich greens with dark green or purple highlights at the tips. Faded green indicates asparagus that is on its way out.

Oh, and one more pro tip. It doesn’t matter if you choose larger or smaller asparagus stalks because they come in all sizes. But, for even cooking, try to pick out a bunch that is uniform in size, meaning all the stalks are roughly the same thickness. πŸ‘Œ

Recipe Ingredients

What you need to smoke veggies
  • Asparagus –  Delicate and flavorful, this vegetable goes with literally anything.
  • Olive Oil – Not only does this oil add flavor, but it helps the seasonings stick to your asparagus and crisps it up nicely.
  • Lemon Juice – The acidity adds the perfect zing and contrasts the bitter notes of the asparagus.
  • Seasonings Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, and salt and pepper are all you need to give this dish a beautiful flavor.
  • Parmesan – This last ingredient is optional, but I like sprinkling the finished product with freshly grated parm. After all, is there any dish that can’t be improved with a little cheese? 😜

How to Smoke Asparagus

Mix the seasonings, season, and put in the smoker

Prepare the Asparagus

  1. Preheat Smoker – Start by preheating your smoker to 225℉/107℃. 
  2. Cut – Line up a few asparagus on your cutting board and chop off the woody ends (the tough parts of the stalks) with a sharp knife. Cut just where the green color starts fading into white. Repeat until all the stalks are trimmed.
  3. Place your asparagus in a large bowl or tray and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Next, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning in a small mixing bowl.
  5. Pour the seasoning mixture over the asparagus and toss to ensure each stalk is fully coated.

Smoke the Asparagus

  1. Place asparagus directly on the preheated pellet grill. Smoke for about 45 minutes or more, depending on the thickness of the stalks.
  2. Remove the smoked asparagus from the grill and serve. Optionally, sprinkle it with parmesan while hot before plating.
Delectable smoked asparagus ready to serve

Recipe Variations

  • Add a little heat to your spice mix with red pepper flakes. ❀️‍πŸ”₯
  • Make it bacon wrapped! Wrap 3-5 stalks in a slice of bacon after seasoning them if you’re feeling a little extra. Line up each bacon-wrapped bundle on the smoker and cook as directed. πŸ₯“
  • Try this same recipe with tender green beans.

 Tips and Tricks

  • When preheating your smoker, I highly recommend waiting to close the lid open until the initial blast of smoke clears. That said, each smoker is different, so when in doubt, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • And speaking of smoker differences, keep in mind that cook time can vary because so many factors are at play here. Your smoker, the thickness of the asparagus, humidity, wind. You might need a few extra minutes, or they might cook quicker than you think. Just watch the timing the first time you make them, and note the cook time that works best for you.
  • In a hurry? Low and slow is best for flavor, but if you need these quicker, just bump up the temp to 350℉/177℃. The asparagus should be done in 20-30 minutes. πŸ˜…
  • If you need to buy your asparagus a few days before smoking, trim the ends and keep them in a jar or vase with water in the fridge. Cover them loosely with a plastic bag or wrap, and they should stay fresh for a week.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Smoked asparagus stays fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container. That means you can cook these up to 3 days in advance. To reheat them, I suggest popping them in your oven set to 350℉/177℃ until heated through. It will only take a few minutes.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Serve smoked asparagus hot out of the cooker and sprinkled with parmesan cheese! Store leftovers appropriately in the fridge for 3-5 days

Reheat them in the microwave or oven (as noted above). You can also chop them up and repurpose them, tossing them in salads, omelets, or whatever else tickles your fancy.

Enjoy delicate smoked asparagus with lobster tail

FAQs

Do you need to smoke asparagus in a pan?

Not necessarily. You can smoke asparagus in a pan, aluminum foil, or a grilling basket, or if they’re thick enough, you can place them directly on the smoker grating.

How can you tell the asparagus is cooked?

Perfectly smoked asparagus is still a rich green color. You can easily pierce the stalk with a fork or knife, but it still has some crunch to it. Taste test, anyone? πŸ˜‰

What kind of wood pellets/chips are best for smoking asparagus?

Oak, hickory, or mesquite pellets all create an excellent flavor for asparagus, but honestly, you can use your favorite, and they’ll still taste amazing.

What Goes With Smoked Asparagus

Um, anything! Seriously, though, I like to serve these with smoked lobster tail and twice-baked potatoes. Serve that up with a glass of white wine, and your guests will be on cloud nine! 🀀

But truly, these bad boys go with so many meals. I think they pair especially well with beef and pork, personally. Try them with a grilled ribeye or some juicy grilled pork chops, and prepare to be amazed. 🀩 

More Sensational Grilled and Smoked Recipes to Try

  1. Smoked Catfish
  2. Grilled Onions
  3. Smoked Turkey Legs
  4. Grilled Pineapple
  5. Smoked Meatloaf

Conclusion

So easy and oh-so-good! This smoked asparagus is about to be a new family fave. Want more recipes that are smoker and grill friendly? Then please sign up for my newsletter. 🫢

Enjoying smoked asparagus with smoked pork

Smoked Asparagus

This fabulous veggie never tasted better! Perfectly tender with a touch of crispness and generously seasoned with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs to complement the pleasant bittersweet flavor. Smoked asparagus is an ideal side for any main course.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: asparagus, smoked
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 94kcal
Author: imma

Ingredients

  • 1-1Β½ pounds asparagus, medium thickness (washed, dried, and woody ends removed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
  • ΒΌ cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Start by preheating your smoker to 225℉/107℃. It is highly recommended not to close the lid until the initial blast of smoke clears. Each smoker is different, so follow manufacturer instructions.
  • Line up a few asparagus on a cutting board.
  • Using a sharp knife, cut off the woody ends ( the tough parts of the stalks) just where the green color starts fading into white. Repeat with remaining asparagus until all are trimmed.
  • Place in a large bowl or tray. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning.
  • Add the mixture to the asparagus and ensure that all the asparagus is covered with marinade.
  • Place asparagus directly in the preheated pellet grill. Smoke for about 45 minutes or more, depending on the thickness of the asparagus.
  • Remove from the smoker and sprinkle with the optional parmesan.
  • Serve with desired protein or as an appetizer. Enjoy!

Notes

  • When preheating your smoker, I highly recommend waiting to close the lid open until the initial blast of smoke clears. That said, each smoker is different, so when in doubt, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • And speaking of smoker differences, keep in mind that cook time can vary because so many factors are at play here. Your smoker, the thickness of the asparagus, humidity, wind. You might need a few extra minutes, or they might cook quicker than you think. Just watch the timing the first time you make them, and note the cook time that works best for you.
  • In a hurry? Low and slow is best for flavor, but if you need these quicker, just bump up the temp to 350℉/177℃. The asparagus should be done in 20-30 minutes. πŸ˜…
  • If you need to buy your asparagus a few days before smoking, trim the ends and keep them in a jar or vase with water in the fridge. Cover them loosely with a plastic bag or wrap, and they should stay fresh for a week.
  • Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1512IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 4mg

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