Crispy Grilled Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese
A quick and easy BBQ side dish featuring fresh asparagus grilled to crispy perfection with a cheesy Parmesan crust and a hint of lemon zest.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (sea salt preferred)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Zest of half a lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F (205°C), for approximately 10 minutes.
- Rinse asparagus under cold water and pat dry. Trim the tough ends, about 1 to 2 inches.
- In a small mixing bowl, toss asparagus with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Lightly oil a grill basket or prepare a foil tray with edges to hold the asparagus. Lay spears in a single layer.
- Place the basket or foil on the grill grates and grill asparagus for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tender with crisp edges and grill marks.
- During the last minute of grilling, sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly over the asparagus. Close the grill lid briefly to melt and crisp the cheese, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Remove asparagus from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh lemon zest.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
If asparagus spears are thick, blanch in boiling water for 1 minute before grilling to ensure tenderness. Avoid overcrowding the grill basket to maintain crispness. Watch Parmesan cheese closely as it can burn quickly. For a dairy-free version, omit Parmesan and use toasted nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 5-6 asparagus
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: grilled asparagus, Parmesan cheese, BBQ side, easy asparagus recipe, summer side dish, crispy asparagus, grilled vegetables