Smoked asparagus is a delicious and easy way to elevate your BBQ game. Whether you’re an experienced grill master or just starting out, this recipe is perfect for adding a touch of gourmet flavor to your backyard spread. With its simple ingredients and quick cook time, this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special weekend gathering.
One of the most versatile and delicious smoked vegetables to add to your menu is asparagus. And what better way to enjoy asparagus than by smoking it to perfection? In this recipe, we’ll be showing you how to create a mouth-watering dish of smoked asparagus that is sure to become a crowd-pleaser.
This recipe is perfect for beginner and experienced pitmasters alike, as it is simple to prepare and easy to follow.
All you’ll need is a pellet smoker, some fresh asparagus, a few seasonings, and some basic kitchen tools such as BBQ tongs or a spatula.
In just an hour, you’ll have a flavorful and healthy dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Whether you’re serving it as a main course along with any side dish like garlic dish or others, this recipe is sure to impress. So fire up your pellet smoker, and let’s get started!
Overview: Smoked Asparagus Recipe
Here’s a quick and easy rundown of the most important information you need to know about this delicious smoked asparagus recipe.
- Preheat pellet smoker to 225°F for 1 hour of cooking time
- Asparagus is trimmed, coated in olive oil, and seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper
- Smoke until desired tenderness, squeeze lemon juice, and sprinkle with parmesan cheese
- Pair with beers such as IPAs or Pilsners for a complementary flavor
How To Make Smoked Asparagus
Step 1: Preheat Your Pellet Smoker
Before you start cooking, it’s important to properly preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F. This ensures that the internal temperature of your smoker is consistent, which is crucial for achieving the best results.
Step 2: Wash And Dry 1 Lb Of Fresh Asparagus
Washing and drying your asparagus is an important step to ensure that it cooks evenly and that the flavors are able to penetrate the vegetables.
Rinse the asparagus under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then, use a clean dish towel or paper towels to pat the asparagus dry.
Step 3: Trim The Woody Ends Of The Asparagus
The tough, woody ends of the asparagus can be tough to eat and should be trimmed off before cooking.
To trim the ends, simply grab the asparagus at both ends and gently bend until it snaps. This will show you where the tough part ends and the tender part begins.
Step 4: Drizzle & Season
Place the trimmed asparagus in a large mixing bowl or baking dish and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. The olive oil will help keep the asparagus from sticking to the smoker grates and will also help the flavors of the seasonings penetrate the asparagus.
Season the asparagus with garlic powder or garlic mixture, salt, and pepper to taste. Use a large spoon or spatula to mix the asparagus until it is evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. You can also add any other seasonings of your choice, such as herbs like rosemary or thyme.
Step 5: Place Asparagus Directly On Smoker Grates
Once the asparagus is evenly coated, place them in a single layer on the smoker grates. Make sure to spread asparagus spears out evenly and to leave some space between each spear so that smoke can circulate around them.
This will help ensure that the asparagus cooks evenly and that the smoke has a chance to penetrate the asparagus and infuse it with flavor.
Step 6: Smoke Asparagus Spears
Smoke the asparagus for 1 hour, or until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the asparagus, so check it every 15 minutes or so and remove it from the smoker once it reaches your desired level of tenderness.
Step 7: Add Toppings
Once the asparagus is fully cooked, remove it from the smoker and place it on a serving platter.
Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the asparagus spears to add a burst of acidity and to help cut through the smoky flavor. Finally, sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese over the asparagus and serve immediately.
Step 8: Enjoy The Fruits Of Your Labor
After an hour of smoking, your asparagus should be perfectly tender and infused with a smoky, delicious flavor. Serve your asparagus immediately, while it’s still hot, as this will help to maximize the flavor and texture. You can serve the smoked asparagus as a side dish alongside your favorite BBQ meats, or enjoy it as a light and healthy main course.
Some people like to add additional seasonings to their asparagus, such as lemon zest, balsamic vinegar, or fresh herbs. However, the lemon juice and parmesan in this recipe are all you really need to make the asparagus taste incredible.
Tips For Making Smoked Asparagus
Making great smoked asparagus is all about the details, and these tips will help you get it just right. From selecting the right wood pellets to cooking the asparagus to perfection, these tips will make all the difference.
Choose The Right Wood Pellets
The type of wood pellets you use can greatly impact the flavor of your smoked asparagus. Consider using fruitwood pellets, such as apple or cherry, for a sweet and mild flavor, or mesquite pellets for a bold and smoky taste.
Keep The Asparagus In A Single Layer
When smoking asparagus, it’s important to arrange the spears in a single layer on the smoker grates. This will ensure that the asparagus cooks evenly and doesn’t steam or boil in its own juices.
Don’t Overcook
The key to perfectly smoked asparagus is to cook it just until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. Overcooking can result in mushy, unappetizing asparagus, so keep an eye on it throughout the cooking process and remove it from the smoker as soon as it’s done.
Experiment With Seasonings
This recipe provides a simple and delicious flavor profile for the asparagus, but feel free to get creative and try new seasonings and seasonings blends. Some popular seasonings for smoked asparagus include lemon pepper, Cajun spice, or even a little bit of honey.
Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Asparagus
Pairing the perfect beer with your smoked asparagus is a must for any BBQ lover! Whether you prefer a hoppy IPA, a fruity saison, or a malty amber ale, there’s a beer out there that will perfectly complement the rich and smoky flavors of your asparagus.
India Pale Ale (IPA)
A hoppy and bitter IPA is a great choice to pair with the rich, smoky flavors of the asparagus. The bitterness of the beer cuts through the smoky flavors, making each bite even more enjoyable. Plus, the bold hop profile of an IPA is a great match for the bold flavors of the asparagus.
Saison
A fruity and spicy saison is a great choice for those who like a bit of a lighter beer with their BBQ. The effervescence of a saison helps to cleanse the palate between bites, making it the perfect choice for a flavorful dish like this. The fruity and spicy notes of the beer are also a great match for the earthy flavors of the asparagus.
Amber Ale
For those who prefer a malty beer, amber ale is a great choice. The rich, caramel flavors of an amber ale are a perfect match for the smoky flavors of the asparagus, and the maltiness of the beer helps to balance out the bitterness of the asparagus. Plus, the smooth and easy-drinking nature of an amber ale makes it a great choice for a casual summer day on the patio.
Related Recipes
Smoked Asparagus Recipe
Equipment
- Charcoal Smoker, or Offset Smoker
- Wood Flavor: Apple or Mesquite
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of fresh asparagus
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 lemon, juiced
- parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F.
- Wash and dry 1 lb of fresh asparagus.
- Trim the woody ends of the asparagus.
- Place the asparagus in a large bowl and drizzle with 2 tbsp of olive oil.
- Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste and mix until the asparagus is evenly coated.
- Place the asparagus in a single layer on the smoker grates.
- Smoke the asparagus for 1 hour, or until it reaches your desired level of tenderness.
- Remove from smoker, squeeze lemon juice over the asparagus spears, and sprinkle with parmesan
- Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious flavors of your smoked asparagus.
Smoked Asparagus FAQs
Should you soak asparagus before cooking?
You can soak asparagus before cooking if you want, but it’s not necessary. Soaking asparagus can help rehydrate dried-out asparagus and clean them from any dirt or impurities before the cooking process. We normally give them a good rinse in the sink.
How do you stop asparagus from getting soggy?
The best way to stop asparagus from getting soggy is not to overcook it and to not put too much oil on it before cooking. You want the asparagus to be tender, but not soggy. Serve immediately after smoking to ensure the asparagus doesn’t lose texture and firmness.
What meat goes best with asparagus?
When it comes to pairing meats with smoked asparagus, the options are endless. However, there are a few types of meat that particularly stand out. Grilled chicken, pork chops, and steak are all great options both for smoked asparagus and grilled asparagus.
What are the benefits of eating asparagus?
Asparagus has great nutritional calories. It’s very high in folic acid, which is important for pregnant women. It also has many other nutrients like other vegetables such as potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins A, B6, and C.
What flavors go well with asparagus?
Asparagus is very versatile and can be paired well with many different flavors. It can be seasoned with black pepper and salt for a simple recipe that everyone will love. The addition of lemon juice adds a great zing to the sweet flavorful asparagus. Chives, dill, and tarragon are also amazing additions to asparagus because they don’t overpower the asparagus and still give it a natural and great flavor.
Can I smoke asparagus on a gas grill instead of a pellet smoker?
Yes, you can make asparagus on a gas or pellet grill by using grilling basket, although you won’t have the same smoky flavor as you would if you used a smoker for this smoker recipes. Consider investing in a smoker tube to turn your gas grill into a propane smoker!