Easy Pan-Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Sea Salt
This asparagus is prepared on a grill or in a cast iron grill pan. It is coated in olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sea salt. This incredibly easy recipe is excellent for busy weeknights and can serve as a perfect side dish or vegetarian meal. It is also the best way and also the easiest way to cook asparagus.
Is Asparagus Good for You?
Yes! It Is perfect for you! Consuming asparagus offers various health benefits, yet only a few people would eat it regularly. It is extremely easy to make on an outdoor grill, on a grill pan (just like this recipe) or steamed. It has few calories but is rich in protein and dietary fiber.
It is especially rich in vitamins A and K and antioxidants. Vitamin A is essential in supporting a healthy immune system, maintaining our vision, and preventing it from declining. Vitamin K has been proven to play a role in blood clotting, bone metabolism, and regulating blood calcium levels. Also, the main benefit of antioxidants is their ability to protect our cells from free radicals, which is essential in protecting them from cancerous growth.
So, all in all, eating asparagus regularly is a smart thing to do for your health. You can prepare it on a grill or a grill pan in less than 20 minutes, just like in this recipe. Or, if you like sauteed asparagus, you can steam it with some butter on top, just like in my Salmon Asparagus Pasta recipe.
The only drawback of eating asparagus would be the surprising smell when you pee 😏. This is because our bodies convert the acid from asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds that get excreted from our bodies through urine. So yes, this is perfectly normal! I will never forget my younger daughter’s surprise when she ate asparagus for the first time. She exited the bathroom horrified and exclaimed: ” Something is seriously wrong with my pee!” 😂
Grilled Asparagus Recipe Ingredients
This recipe has only four ingredients, three of which are simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Olive oil. I used cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. If you do not have olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil will also work.
- Salt. Any salt will be ok to use here, but coarse sea salt goes exceptionally well when sprinkled on grilled asparagus.
- Lemon. Nothing will beat the fresh lemon juice. Cut the lemon in half and keep it close for a quick squeeze of lemon juice when the asparagus grills.
- Fresh asparagus. Asparagus is usually packed in a grocery store as a bunch. Now, there are two options here. You can buy thick or thin asparagus. The thicker spears are considered better quality since they contain more fiber. But both options will provide good health benefits. The thicker ones might be better for grilling as they become more crunchy. I prepared the thin asparagus stalks in this recipe, but not long ago, I also prepared the thicker stalks. It is simply my personal opinion that thicker stalks are crunchier.
Grilling asparagus is a beautiful way to bring out its natural flavors. Also, there is very little preparation for this incredibly healthy side dish. Clean the fresh asparagus under cold water, trim off the bottom ends of the stalks, oil the grill, add asparagus, and grill for 10-12 minutes. Sprinkle with olive oil, add salt, squeeze some fresh lemon, and voila! You made the easiest pan-fried asparagus ever! Grilled asparagus pairs wonderfully with various dishes or serves as a flavorful side. Feel free to adjust the seasonings and toppings according to your taste preferences!
This depends on how hot your grill or a cast iron grill pan is. It typically takes about 10 minutes if you heat the grill to medium heat. And it also depends on your preferred taste – but remember, if you overcook the asparagus, it might become too sloppy. Trust me, mushy asparagus is no fun.
Preparation Steps
Time needed: 20 minutes
- Wash the asparagus spears and trim the tough ends on a cutting board. You can do this by holding each end of the asparagus spear and gently bending it until it snaps. How do you know where to cut the ends? Find the area where the green color begins to fade.
- Place a grill pan over medium-high heat on a stove top and let it get hot. A regular, non-stick large skillet will work fine if you don’t have a grill pan. I used a cast iron grill pan in this recipe.
- Once the grill pan is hot, place the asparagus spears on the pan in a single layer.
- Cook for about 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the asparagus is tender and has nice grill marks. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus. You can choose the doneness per your taste; I typically take it off the heat when the spears start having a nice brown color, but do not get too charred. This way, you will end up with a crisp, tender stem.
- Once the asparagus is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a serving plate. Sprinkle with olive oil, add salt, and squeeze some fresh lemon over the stalks. You can also sprinkle them with black pepper if you prefer.
- For added flavor, sprinkle some lemon zest over the grilled asparagus before serving. Grated Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of balsamic glaze can also enhance the taste.
Pan-grilled asparagus is more than just a simple side—it celebrates vibrant flavors and healthy eating. Remember, the key lies in simplicity and freshness. Whether enjoyed with a sprinkle of zesty lemon, a touch of Parmesan cheese, or the sweetness of a balsamic glaze, this versatile dish adapts to your preferences effortlessly.
If you like this Easy Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Sea Salt, here are some other easy and healthy recipes to try:
- SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA
- HEALTHY AND EASY TURKEY MEATBALLS WITH TOMATO SAUCE
- EASY BAKED COD WITH FRIED RICE
- EASY CHICKEN WITH SPINACH IN CREAMY WHITE SAUCE (CHICKEN SPINACH IN BECHAMEL)
- SPINACH PASTA (THE BENEFITS OF MEATLESS MEALS)
- SIMPLE STIR-FRY BROCCOLI WITHOUT MEAT
- LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN RISOTTO IN A DUTCH OVEN
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Sea Salt
Ingredients
- 1 lb asparagus
- 3 tbsp olive oil cold pressed extra virgin
- 1/2 lemon freshly squeezed
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash the asparagus spears and trim the tough ends on a cutting board. You can do this by holding each end of the asparagus spear and gently bending it until it snaps. How do you know where to cut the ends? Find the area where the green color begins to fade.
- Place a grill pan over medium-high heat on a stove top and let it get hot. A regular, non-stick large skillet will work fine if you don’t have a grill pan. I used a cast iron grill pan in this recipe.
- Once the grill pan is hot, place the asparagus spears on the pan in a single layer.
- Cook for about 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the asparagus is tender and has nice grill marks. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus. You can choose the doneness per your taste; I typically take it off the heat when the spears start having a nice brown color, but do not get too charred. This way, you will end up with a crisp, tender stem.
- Once the asparagus is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a serving plate. Sprinkle with olive oil, add salt, and squeeze some fresh lemon over the stalks. You can also sprinkle them with black pepper if you prefer.
- For added flavor, sprinkle some lemon zest over the grilled asparagus before serving. Grated Parmesan cheese or a drizzle of balsamic glaze can also enhance the taste.
Video
Notes
- The nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on the specific ingredients used.
- Olive oil. I used cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. If you do not have olive oil, avocado oil or vegetable oil will also work.
- Salt. Any salt will be ok to use here, but coarse sea salt goes exceptionally well when sprinkled on grilled asparagus.
- Lemon. Nothing will beat the fresh lemon juice. Cut the lemon in half and keep it close for a quick squeeze of lemon juice when the asparagus grills.
- Fresh asparagus. Asparagus is usually packed in a grocery store as a bunch. Now, there are two options here. You can buy thick or thin asparagus. The thicker spears are considered better quality since they contain more fiber. But both options will provide good health benefits. The thicker ones might be better for grilling as they become more crunchy. I prepared the thin asparagus stalks in this recipe, but not long ago, I also prepared the thicker stalks. It is simply my personal opinion that thicker stalks are crunchier.
