Lemon Parmesan Grilled Asparagus is a bright and savory side dish that you’ll love all summer long. Crisp yet tender asparagus spears are marinated in a garlic lemon marinade before hitting the grill for just a kiss of char and smoky flavor. Finished with a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese, this flavorful dish is a crowd pleaser at any picnic or cookout.
Looking for some other amazing side dishes to serve to friends and family? This Rosemary Smoked Mushroom Recipe is likely something your guests will not have ever had. It’s the perfect recipe if you’re looking to impress everyone! Or maybe you need an original cocktail to serve before dinner. This Grilled Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail might be just what you need!
I love fresh asparagus, and this grilled asparagus with lemon and Parmesan recipe marries the sweetness of the asparagus with the tartness of the lemon and the tanginess of the salty Parmesan to create an almost magical flavor combination! This is the perfect side dish for any meal, from a casual weeknight dinner to an elegant weekend dining experience.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Amazing smoky charred flavor
- Tender crisp texture
- Healthy vegetable side dish
- Quick and easy to prepare
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Ingredients in Lemon Parmesan Grilled Asparagus
- Fresh asparagus – You want to use very fresh asparagus, washed and trimmed.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Use a good quality olive oil; it makes a difference.
- Lemon zest – Adds a brightness to the recipe.
- Fresh lemon juice – Use fresh lemon juice, not the bottled lemon juice.
- Garlic powder – You can substitute granulated garlic for garlic powder if you need to.
- Kosher salt – I always cook with Kosher salt.
- Fresh ground black pepper – A couple of grinds of pepper make a big difference to any dish.
- Parmesan cheese, grated – You can use Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheeses as great substitutes.
- Lemon slices – For serving.
How to GRILL LEMON PARMESAN ASPARAGUS
Wash your asparagus well, as it grows in sandy soil and can retain some particles, especially at the top. Trim the woody ends of the asparagus using a sharp knife. You want to remove about an inch at the bottom of each of the spears. Set them aside on a paper towel to dry.
Preheat your grill to medium-high and coat your grill grates with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
In a large bowl, add your asparagus and olive oil. Toss to coat. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss everything well so that the spears of asparagus are well coated in all of the flavors.
Let this marinate at room temperature until your grill is ready. You can let it sit for a few hours if you’d like for more flavor.
Once your grill is preheated, lay each spear of asparagus horizontally over the grill grate side by side. Cook them for about 5 minutes for crisp asparagus or slightly longer for softer asparagus, turning often to ensure even cooking and nicely spaced grill marks.
When your asparagus is cooked to your preferred tenderness, remove it from the grill to a platter or plate. Sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese and serve warm or at room temperature with lemon slices.
How to Store Grilled Asparagus
If you have leftover grilled lemon Parmesan asparagus, you can keep it fresh by storing it covered in the refrigerator and enjoy it over the next few days. Allow the asparagus to cool to room temperature and transfer it to an airtight container or resealable bag. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How can I reheat this dish?
You can easily reheat your leftover grilled lemon Parmesan asparagus in the oven, air fryer, or microwave.
Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and place your asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 5 minutes or until the asparagus is warmed throughout.
Airfryer: Add the asparagus to the basket of your air fryer and cook at 375°F for 3 minutes.
Microwave: Add individual portions to a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 2 minutes.
Variations on Asparagus on the Grill
This recipe is fresh, smoky, bright, and nutty as it is, but here are a few suggestions for additional ingredients you may want to experiment with.
- For a little spicy heat, you can add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the marinade mix.
- If you are not a big fan of salt and pepper, you can add them at the end to taste instead of into the marinade.
- Drizzle a balsamic glaze over the finished product for a bit of a sweet finish.
- Try this recipe with String Beans!
Pin it HERE!!
Pin it HERE!!
Parmesan Grilled Asparagus with Lemon
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus trimmed and washed
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ Tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Sliced lemons for serving optional
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash your asparagus. Using a sharp knife, trim the woody end of the asparagus, removing about an inch off the bottom. Set the asparagus spears aside on a paper towel to dry.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high and coat your grill grates with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, add your asparagus and olive oil. Toss to coat.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss everything well so that the spears of asparagus are well coated in all of the flavors. Let this marinate at room temperature until your grill is ready. You can let it sit for a few hours if you'd like for more flavor.
- Once your grill is preheated, lay each spear of asparagus horizontally over the grill grate side by side. Cook them for about 5 minutes for crisp asparagus or slightly longer for softer asparagus, turning often to ensure even cooking and nicely spaced grill marks.
- When your asparagus is cooked to your preferred tenderness, remove it from the grill to a platter, sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese and serve warm or at room temperature with lemon slices.
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