How long you grill asparagus depends upon what temperature you grill it at. No, I am not trying to insult your intelligence. If by chance, your grill is at 600 degrees it will literally melt the asparagus and it will disappear through the grill, gum up things up big time. You don’t want to do that. So cool it! Set your grill at a moderate temperature. If you have a gas grill, 350-400 degrees, no hotter, should suffice. Turn on only one burner, and wait for it to get up to temperature with the hood down. Experiment a little, you’ll get it right!
If grilling on a charcoal grill, use moderate heat. I would even push the coals a little to the side and grill on the cool side. Remove the woody part of the asparagus, wash and pat dry. Before you grill the asparagus, make sure you apply a coat of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. This helps immensely in keeping it from sticking to the grill.
Once on the grill, you will want to roll, flip the asparagus with a set of sturdy tongs until you have grill marks on all sides. You can tell when things are” starting to get done” when it changes to a darker green, gets limp and you get those “beautiful grill marks”.
Don’t overcook!
But, “hold the phone”! I prefer to add a few things to asparagus besides Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. I use a seasoned, or aged rice vinegar dressing and marinade which is a balsamic blend, Kosher Salt and a freshly ground pepper in my recipe.
If you want a taste that is beyond just Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, you will want to marinate the asparagus for about an hour in this concoction: Apply a moderate amount of oil, a very moderate amount of the seasoned balsamic vinegar, and rub it all in thoroughly.
Next, sprinkle salt and pepper on. Don’t get carried away with the salt….a little goes a long way. Rub everything in some more and let it sit.
I don’t know how to tell you this, but don’t buy crummy asparagus. In Oregon, as well as many places, good asparagus only comes in spring-time and the season is over in mid June. This is the time of the year you will get the “very best”.
The rest of the year, asparagus can be imported from anywhere, just make sure it is of good quality. You can use grilled asparagus in salad recipes. You will wonder why you didn’t think of it before. And, you can always make a “funky” creamy asparagus soup.
Asparagus should only take about ten minutes to prepare on your grill. Remember not to overdo it.
Thom Richards absolutely loves to barbecue for family and friends. Please join me at BBQing Tips From Deep In The Heart Of Oregon for all kind of information, recipes, tips to make your barbecuing the best. A super source for BBQ supplies is at: Lil Mo’s Barbecue Shoppe. This article is free for republishing, but the resource links must be retained.
