Crispy Grilled Asparagus Recipe with Sweet Balsamic Glaze
A quick and easy side dish featuring crispy grilled asparagus drizzled with a sweet and tangy balsamic glaze, perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound asparagus spears, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 400°F (200°C). If using a grill pan, heat over medium-high for about 5 minutes.
- Trim the tough woody ends off the asparagus (about 1 to 2 inches). Rinse and pat dry thoroughly.
- Place asparagus in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and black pepper, and toss to coat evenly.
- Arrange asparagus spears perpendicular to grill grates. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning carefully with tongs, until bright green with slight charring and tender-crisp.
- While asparagus grills, combine balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until syrupy and thickened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove asparagus from grill and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle warm balsamic glaze generously over the spears. Serve immediately.
Notes
Avoid overcrowding the grill to ensure asparagus crisps rather than steams. Stir glaze often and lower heat if it thickens too quickly. For vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup. Frozen asparagus can be used if thawed and dried thoroughly. A broiler or oven roasting at 425°F for 12-15 minutes is a good alternative if no grill is available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 134g)
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 3
Keywords: grilled asparagus, balsamic glaze, easy side dish, healthy vegetables, quick recipe, summer barbecue, vegetarian, gluten-free