Grilled asparagus in foil is an easy, light side dish to toss on the grill this summer! Fresh asparagus spears are tossed in garlic seasoning, wrapped in foil, then grilled until tender and topped with melty parmesan cheese.
Recipe summary
Flavor: Mild, garlicky, parmesan
It's easy. Foil packets steam the asparagus until perfectly tender and are easy to tuck into an empty corner on the grill.
Serves: 4 people
Serve with: Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken or Grilled Bison Burgers
Similar to: Grilled Broccolini and Grilled Vegetable Skewers
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Asparagus - Fresh asparagus of any thickness works in this recipe. If your asparagus is very thin, you'll want to cut the cooking time down slightly.
- Oil - Any neutral cooking oil you have on hand will work in this recipe.
- Seasoning - Salt, pepper, and garlic powder add a mild garlicky flavor to your asparagus, making it easy to pair with just about any main dish. Feel free to customize with your favorite seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese - Adds salty flavor to your asparagus. Fresh grated parmesan melts easily and adds the best flavor. Pre-grated cheeses do not melt as easily because they're tossed in anti-clumping powder that can add a grainy texture.
How to make grilled asparagus
- While your grill preheats, stack asparagus spears onto foil, no more than two spears high for even cooking.
- Drizzle with oil.
- Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Carefully wrap to create foil packets.
- Place asparagus packets on the grill and cook for about 6 minutes per side, or until tender to your liking. Unwrap asparagus, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and allow to melt before serving.
Tips and tricks
To prevent soggy asparagus - Set a timer for the lowest amount of time listed and check on it a few times throughout cooking.
Testing for doneness - Test by piercing through with a fork. If your asparagus feels tender with little resistance, it's done. Perfectly cooked asparagus has a bright green color. Remove asparagus from the heat before it turns a muddled yellow-olive color.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your foil packets in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until fork tender. Cooking time depends on the thickness of your asparagus spears.
Asparagus gets soggy and mushy from overcooking. Asparagus doesn't need a long time to cook through because it's a delicate vegetable. Thin asparagus cooks through in as little as 8 to 10 minutes, and thick asparagus may take up to 16 minutes.
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📖 Recipe
Grilled Asparagus in Foil
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, about 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If needed, clean grill grates.
- Tear off a large sheet of foil and lay flat on your work surface. Arrange asparagus spears in the center of the foil, stacking no more than two spears high for even cooking. You may prefer to make multiple smaller packets depending on the space available on the grill.
- Drizzle with oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lightly toss to coat. Fold foil over asparagus spears to form a tight packet.
- Using tongs, place foil packets onto grill grates. Grill for about 6 minutes, then flip packets. Grill for another 6 to 8 minutes, or until asparagus is fork tender (this depends on the thickness of your asparagus). Very thin asparagus may only need 2 to 4 minutes on the second side. Remove packets from grill.
- Carefully peel back foil and top asparagus with parmesan cheese. Serve warm.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Storage: Leftover asparagus will keep for 3 to 4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
- To roast foil packets in the oven: preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare packets as directed above, then bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until asparagus is fork tender and bright green.
- Grilling time: Asparagus grilling times depend entirely on the heat of your grill and thickness of the asparagus. Perfectly cooked asparagus should be bright green and mostly hold its shape (not limp). To test for doneness, pierce through with a fork. Cooked asparagus should have a crisp-tender texture with little resistance.
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