Bacon-wrapped asparagus

Bacon-wrapped asparagus

30 min
When the first green asparagus arrive, summer is just around the corner. Snappy, green asparagus can, more than anything, bring about that great summer feeling. Here, they are served wrapped in bacon and grilled on the pan or in the open air to give them a slightly smoky flavour. To make the experience even more delectable, they are served with a tangy, salty salad cheese dip.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/bacon-wrapped-asparagus/

Instructions

Salad cheese dip
  • In a bowl, mash the cheese and mix with yoghurt and pepper.
  • Cover the dip and place it in the fridge until serving.
  • Season to taste.
Grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus
  • Snap off the bottom few centimetres of the asparagus.
  • Mix oil and sugar and brush the asparagus with the mixture.
  • Wrap a piece of bacon around a bundle of 3 asparagus – repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  • Grill the bacon-wrapped asparagus on a hot grill pan or a good non-stick frying pan for about 1 minute on each side at high heat – 3 minutes in total.
  • Serve immediately with the salad cheese dip.
Recommended information

Serving suggestion

Enjoy!
Tips

The summer months when the air is warm and there is sunny weather, it is the perfect time to fire up the BBQ and make grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus. Barbecuing the bacon-wrapped asparagus will give them a smokier flavour, gaining a more charred, crispy texture on the outside whilst remaining tender on the inside.

Questions about grilled asparagus in bacon

Once you have mastered our recipe for grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon, making these tasty treats is quick and easy. To learn more, read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions beneath.

How to grill asparagus wrapped in bacon?
The easiest way to grill bacon-wrapped asparagus is on a grill or non-stick pan as both are quite quick to heat up. It is, of course, also possible to cook them on either a gas or coal grill, depending on what you prefer. Grilling it on a BBQ, especially one that uses coal, will add a smokier flavour and usually also a more charred appearance. The best way to grill asparagus wrapped with bacon depends entirely on how you like to cook and how much of a smoky flavour you are looking for.
How long to grill bacon-wrapped asparagus?
The cooking time depends on the size of the asparagus as well as the thickness of the bacon wrapped around them, but it is usually around 3 minutes. Try to pair uniform vegetables to ensure an even cook. Also, remember to coat them with seasoned oil to ensure a caramelised but unburnt surface.
Can you cook bacon-wrapped asparagus on the grill?
Yes, it is a perfect summertime dish for those who enjoy cooking outside. Grilling adds a delicious smoky flavour, while the high heat of the BBQ helps secure a crispy exterior and tender interior. The bacon helps to keep the vegetables moist while on the grill, ensuring they do not dry out. Overall, it is a great thing to prepare for an outdoor dinner party, and cooking bacon-wrapped asparagus on the grill is an easy solution for how to make grilled asparagus in large batches to feed a crowd.
Can you grill bacon-wrapped asparagus in a pan?
Yes. For ease, use a non-stick pan to make turning the treats over easy. If you want to serve bacon-wrapped asparagus with decorative grill markings on them, select a grill pan rather than a normal, flat pan.
How to tell when bacon-grilled wrapped asparagus is done?
To determine if your bacon-wrapped grilled asparagus are done, check the meat for crispiness and the vegetable for tenderness. The bacon should be crispy and slightly charred, while the vegetable should be tender but still slightly firm. Test with a fork; if it goes in easily and without much resistance, it is done. It should also turn bright green and have a slightly caramelised appearance.
Why is my grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus soggy?
The perfect grilled asparagus has a crispy exterior and a tender interior. If it is soggy, a possibility is that they have been overcooked. When the summer green is overcooked, it releases excess moisture and becomes limp and soft, losing its crispness as well as some of its flavour. It is important to heat up your pan or grill properly to cook your bacon-wrapped asparagus to perfection.
What does grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus taste like?
Bacon-wrapped asparagus have a delicious and satisfying flavour profile. The green summer vegetables are tender and slightly nutty, while the bacon adds a perfectly complementing smoky and salty flavour. The bacon also becomes crispy and slightly charred, which adds a crunchy and savoury element. The combination of the smoky, salty bacon and the slightly sweet and earthy flavour of the grilled vegetables creates a well-balanced and satisfying snack or side dish.
What to serve with grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus?
A salty, tangy salad cheese dip made with rich Greek yoghurt and seasoned with black pepper is just the thing. A creamy dipping sauce adds flavour and creates a satisfying textural contrast. The combination of the creamy, tangy dip and the bacon-wrapped asparagus is nothing short of mouth-watering. Serve as a snack or appetizer or with other light summer dishes for a great meal that becomes even better when enjoyed outside.

Ingredients

Salad cheese dip
100 g
Greek yoghurt
150 g
Freshly ground pepper (season to taste)
1 pinch
Grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus
Green asparagus (approx. 400 g)
24
Rapeseed oil
2 tbsp
Sugar
1 tsp
Bacon
8 slices

Grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon

Bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles have a delicious combination of flavours that make it a popular dish. The bacon adds a savoury and salty taste that pairs well with the earthy and slightly nutty flavour of the asparagus. When cooked, the bacon becomes crispy and slightly charred, which adds a smoky and flavourful element. The asparagus becomes tender but still retains its slightly crunchy texture, which provides a nice contrast to the crispy bacon. As such, the two make a great combination in terms of taste as well as texture.

This recipe can be made in multiple ways and enjoyed as a side dish to a variety of main courses. It can also be served as an appetizer or a snack. It will work well as part of a delicious garden party spread with different salads, grilled vegetables, BBQ meats, and flavourful dips and sauces.

A brush of sugar and oil is all the seasoning you need

To ensure well-cooked vegetables you need a bit of oil for brushing. Rapeseed oil is a great choice as it can easily handle high temperatures. In addition, it has a mild and neutral taste that is light, clean, and will not overpower the other ingredients. Its slightly earthy and nutty taste enhances those of the summer greens in a subtle, yet delicious, way. The small amount of sugar in the simple seasoning allows for additional caramelisation when grilled, heightening the delightful contrast between the tender centre and the salty wrap.

Serve with a lovely salad cheese dip

The best sauce for grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon should be enhancing the flavours without being overpowering. This makes a salad cheese based one a great choice.

Salad cheese dip made with Greek yoghurt and freshly churned pepper has a deliciously tangy and savoury flavour that pairs incredibly well with bacon-wrapped asparagus. The Greek yoghurt gives the dip a creamy consistency and a slightly tart taste, while the mashed salad cheese adds a salty and tangy flavour that balances the richness of the yoghurt.

The freshly churned pepper adds a subtle but distinct peppery taste that complements the other flavours in the dip and cuts through its richness. The black pepper also adds a slight heat to the dip, but not enough to overpower the other flavours. Overall, the combination of great ingredients creates a complex and well-balanced dressing.

If you cannot get enough of tasty cheese, we recommend checking out our recipes for summer salad or strawberry salad with salad cheese and our pasta salad with piquant cream cheese.

Small adjustments can make a big difference

A wonderfully easy way to mix up this simple recipe is to add different types of flavouring to the oil. You can use dried spices, fresh herbs, and even ingredients like lemon juice and pressed garlic.

Crispy grilled asparagus with garlic taste great. The sharp garlic adds a pungent and aromatic element to the dish. When grilled, the sharpness is lessened, and the sweeter undertones of the garlic become more noticeable. The slight caramelisation adds a depth of flavour to the tasty treat.

Vibrant lemon-grilled asparagus are perfect for summertime. The tangy and bright flavour of lemon juice complements the earthy and slightly nutty taste of the asparagus. To make the citrussy flavour pop, you can even sprinkle with lemon zest or a few drops of additional lemon juice after cooking.

Play around with different types of seasoning for grilled asparagus with bacon to discover what makes your mouth water. If you want the flavours of your chosen seasonings to be more pronounced, you can let the vegetables marinate in the spiced oil mixture for 30 minutes before wrapping them.