How To Grill Asparagus Wrapped In Bacon

Grilling asparagus wrapped in bacon is one of the easiest ways to turn a simple vegetable into a crowd-pleasing side dish.
 
When you grill asparagus wrapped in bacon, the bacon crisps up beautifully while the asparagus stays tender and slightly charred.
 
The salty, smoky flavor of the bacon pairs perfectly with the fresh, grassy taste of the asparagus.
 
If you have been wondering how to grill asparagus wrapped in bacon without ending up with soggy bacon or mushy spears, you are in the right place.
 
In this post, we will walk through how to grill asparagus wrapped in bacon step by step, plus a few tips to get that perfect crisp every single time.
 
Let’s get grilling.
 

How to Grill Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon Perfectly

The key to grilling asparagus wrapped in bacon is balancing the cook time of two very different ingredients.
 
Bacon needs high heat and time to render its fat and get crispy.
 
Asparagus cooks fast and can turn limp if it stays on the grill too long.
 
So when you grill asparagus wrapped in bacon, you want the bacon to cook through at the same time the asparagus becomes tender-crisp.
 
That means using medium-high heat and keeping a close eye on things.
 
Here is how to make it happen.
 

1. Choose the Right Asparagus and Bacon

When you plan to grill asparagus wrapped in bacon, start with thick asparagus spears.
 
Thin spears cook too quickly and can burn before the bacon is done.
 
Thick spears hold up better and give you that nice snap when you bite into them.
 
For the bacon, use regular-cut bacon rather than thick-cut.
 
Thick-cut bacon takes longer to crisp, which means the asparagus will overcook.
 
Regular-cut bacon wraps around the spears neatly and crisps up faster on the grill.
 

2. Prep the Asparagus and Bacon

Rinse your asparagus and snap off the woody ends.
 
You can do this by bending each spear near the bottom, and it will break naturally at the right spot.
 
Pat the spears dry with a paper towel because wet asparagus will steam instead of grill.
 
Drizzle the asparagus with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
 
Now, take a slice of bacon and wrap it around a single asparagus spear in a spiral.
 
You can wrap two or three spears together in one bundle if you prefer.
 
Secure the bacon with a toothpick so it does not unravel on the grill.
 
If you soak your toothpicks in water for 20 minutes first, they will not burn as easily.
 

3. Preheat the Grill and Set Up Zones

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
 
Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled so the bacon does not stick.
 
If you have a gas grill, set one side to high and one side to low.
 
This gives you a hot zone for searing and a cooler zone for finishing.
 
For a charcoal grill, pile the coals on one side and leave the other side empty.
 
This two-zone setup is a game changer when you grill asparagus wrapped in bacon because you can move pieces around if the bacon starts to flare up.
 

4. Grill the Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon

Place the bacon-wrapped asparagus directly over the hot zone.
 
Grill for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning with tongs.
 
You want the bacon to get golden and crispy and the asparagus to develop light char marks.
 
If the bacon starts dripping and causing flames, move the spears to the cooler side of the grill.
 
Continue cooking until the bacon is fully crisp and the asparagus is tender.
 
The whole process usually takes 8 to 12 minutes depending on your grill and the thickness of your bacon.
 

5. Rest and Serve

Once the asparagus wrapped in bacon is done, transfer the spears to a platter.
 
Let them rest for a minute or two because the bacon will be sizzling hot.
 
Remove the toothpicks before serving and give a final sprinkle of black pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice if you like.
 
The lemon adds a bright note that cuts through the richness of the bacon.
 
Serve these right away while the bacon is still crispy.
 

Tips for Grilling Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon

Getting the perfect bacon-wrapped asparagus is all about small details.
 
Here are a few tips that make a big difference.
 

1. Do Not Overcrowd the Grill

When you grill asparagus wrapped in bacon, leave space between each piece.
 
If they are touching, they will steam instead of grill.
 
Give each spear room to breathe so the bacon gets crispy on all sides.
 

2. Watch for Flare-Ups

Bacon fat dripping onto hot coals or burners causes flare-ups.
 
Keep a spray bottle of water nearby or just move the spears to a cooler zone.
 
A little char is great, but burnt bacon is not.
 

3. Par-Cook the Bacon if Needed

If your asparagus is on the thinner side, you can par-cook the bacon first.
 
Microwave the bacon for about 1 to 2 minutes before wrapping.
 
This gives the bacon a head start so it finishes at the same time as the asparagus.
 

4. Use a Grill Basket or Foil

If you are worried about pieces falling through the grates, use a grill basket.
 
You can also place the asparagus wrapped in bacon on a sheet of aluminum foil with a few holes poked in it.
 
This method works well for smaller spears and prevents them from slipping through.
 

So, How Do You Grill Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon?

Grilling asparagus wrapped in bacon is simple when you use medium-high heat, thick asparagus, and regular-cut bacon.
 
The bacon crisps up while the asparagus stays tender, and the whole thing comes together in about 10 minutes.
 
Just remember to secure the bacon with toothpicks, watch for flare-ups, and give the spears space on the grill.
 
Whether you serve this as a side dish or a party appetizer, grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon is always a hit.
 
Fire up the grill and give it a try.