This simple garlic olive oil grilled asparagus recipe was inspired by my wife’s uncle, who made it for us during a family visit a few years ago. It completely changed the way I enjoy asparagus. Once you taste the smoky flavor from the grill, the richness of olive oil, and the bold bite of garlic, you may agree that grilled asparagus is one of the best ways to serve this easy, healthy side dish.
How To Make Grilled Asparagus
What You’ll Need:
- A barbecue or outdoor grill
- Olive oil
- Fresh asparagus, preferably with slightly thicker stalks
- Minced garlic
- Flaked sea salt
Getting Started
Making grilled asparagus with garlic and olive oil is very easy, but a little preparation makes a big difference. Start by trimming the asparagus spears so you remove the tough, woody ends. The simplest method is to hold one asparagus spear with a hand at each end and gently bend it. The stalk will naturally snap where the tender part meets the tougher end. Use that as a guide for the rest of the bunch, or snap each spear individually if you prefer.
Once the asparagus is trimmed, place the spears in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Add the olive oil and minced garlic, then close the container and shake it well. The goal is to coat every spear evenly so the garlic and oil can cling to the asparagus before it goes on the grill. If you have time, place the container in the refrigerator for about an hour. This allows the garlic flavor to settle into the asparagus and gives the finished dish a deeper, more savory taste. If you are short on time, you can grill it right away and still get excellent results.
Slightly thicker asparagus works best for this recipe because it is less likely to fall through the grill grates and it holds up well over the heat. Thin asparagus can still be used, but it cooks very quickly, so watch it closely to avoid overcooking.
Grilling the Asparagus
Preheat the barbecue to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the asparagus spears horizontally across the grill grates so they do not slip through. For more control, turn off the burner directly underneath the asparagus and allow the heat from the opposite side of the grill to cook the spears gently. This helps prevent flare-ups and keeps the garlic from burning too quickly.
Grill the asparagus until it has visible grill marks and begins to soften slightly. Turn the spears as they cook so they get an even char on all sides. The asparagus should be tender but not mushy, with a fresh bite and a lightly smoky flavor. Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the stalks and the heat of your grill, so keep an eye on them as they cook.
Transfer the grilled asparagus to a serving platter and sprinkle with flaked sea salt to taste. This final touch brings out the flavor of the garlic, olive oil, and charred asparagus without making the dish complicated. Serve it warm as a low carb side dish with steak, chicken, fish, or almost any grilled meal.
Mike’s Tips & Tricks for the Best Grilled Asparagus
- Choose asparagus with slightly thicker stalks so the spears do not fall through the grates or cook too quickly.
- For the best garlic flavor, marinate the asparagus in olive oil and minced garlic for about an hour before grilling.
- Grill at approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a good balance of heat and control.
- Sprinkle flaked sea salt over the asparagus just before serving, adjusting the amount to your taste.
- If your barbecue tends to flare up, or if you prefer not to cook the asparagus directly on the grates, wrap the spears in aluminum foil and grill them that way.
More Asparagus Recipes:
- Roasted Garlic Asparagus with Sovrano Cheese
- Keto Friendly Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- One Pan Rosemary Chicken Asparagus Dinner
This garlic olive oil grilled asparagus is especially good with steak, but it also works as a flavorful side for many everyday meals. It is simple, fresh, low carb, and easy enough to prepare on a busy weeknight. The combination of smoky grill marks, tender asparagus, savory garlic, and a finishing pinch of sea salt makes this recipe one you can return to again and again.
Happy Low Carbing,
Mike
Garlic and Olive Oil Grilled Asparagus
This easy grilled asparagus recipe is coated with olive oil and minced garlic, then cooked on the barbecue until tender with light grill marks. Finished with flaked sea salt, it makes a simple low carb side dish for steak, grilled meats, or any meal that needs a fresh vegetable.
- Prep Time
- 1 hour
- Cook Time
- 5 minutes
- Total Time
- 1 hour 5 minutes
- Course
- Side Dish
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 121
- Author
- Karami Urbanoski
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh asparagus
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 3-4 tbsp olive oil
- flaked sea salt
Instructions
-
Trim the asparagus spears, removing the tough woody ends.
-
Place the asparagus in a sealed container with the olive oil and minced garlic. Shake well to coat the spears evenly.
-
Refrigerate for about one hour, or longer if desired, so the garlic and olive oil can flavor the asparagus.
-
Preheat the barbecue to approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off one side of the grill to help prevent burning and flare-ups.
-
Place the spears horizontally across the grill on the side without direct flame. Grill until slightly soft, turning as needed for even grill marks.
-
Serve warm with a sprinkling of flaked sea salt, adjusted to taste.
Recipe Notes
If you do not want to place the asparagus directly on the grill, wrap the spears in foil and cook them that way instead.
Nutrition Information
Carbohydrates: 5g,
Protein: 2g,
Fat: 10g,
Saturated Fat: 1g,
Sodium: 3mg,
Potassium: 245mg,
Fiber: 2g,
Sugar: 2g,
Vitamin A: 855IU,
Vitamin C: 7.6mg,
Calcium: 34mg,
Iron: 2.6mg
All calories and nutritional information are based on a third-party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual values will vary depending on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and other factors.