Best Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

I didn’t grow up eating asparagus much as a kid. My mom would boil it until it was mushy, and honestly, none of us were fans. It wasn’t until I started grilling vegetables that I realized asparagus could actually taste good—like, really good.

The trick is keeping it crisp and adding some bacon. Because let’s be honest, bacon makes everything better. When you wrap asparagus spears in bacon and throw them on the grill, something magical happens. The bacon gets crispy, the asparagus stays tender with a little char, and you end up with a side dish that even my kids will eat without complaining. It’s become my go-to recipe when I need something simple but impressive enough for company.

What Kind of Asparagus Should I Use?

When picking asparagus for this recipe, look for spears that are medium to thick in size – they hold up better on the grill and won’t get too floppy when wrapped in bacon. Thin asparagus tends to overcook quickly and can become mushy, so save those for other dishes. Fresh asparagus should have tight, compact tips and firm stalks that snap easily when bent. Before grilling, just trim off the woody ends at the bottom (usually about an inch or two) by bending the spear until it naturally breaks, or simply cut them off with a knife.

Options for Substitutions

This simple recipe works great with a few easy swaps if you need them:

• Bacon: Regular bacon is what makes this dish special, but if you want a different flavor, try prosciutto for a fancier twist or turkey bacon for a lighter option. Just keep in mind that turkey bacon won’t crisp up quite the same way.
• Asparagus: Look for medium-thickness asparagus spears – they’re easier to wrap and cook evenly. If you can only find thin spears, bundle 2-3 together before wrapping. Super thick spears work too, but you might need to blanch them for a minute first so they cook through.
• Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil works here – avocado oil, vegetable oil, or even melted butter will do the job.
• Salt and pepper: Since bacon is already salty, you might want to go light on the salt or skip it altogether. Feel free to add garlic powder, smoked paprika, or a squeeze of lemon juice after grilling for extra flavor.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling

The biggest issue with bacon-wrapped asparagus is ending up with either burnt bacon or undercooked asparagus, so make sure to use regular-cut bacon instead of thick-cut, which cooks more evenly with the asparagus timing.

Placing the bundles seam-side down first helps the bacon stay in place without toothpicks, and flipping them halfway through ensures even cooking on all sides.

Another common mistake is wrapping the bacon too tightly – leave a little space between the wraps so the heat can reach the asparagus and cook it properly.

If your bacon isn’t getting crispy enough, try partially cooking it in the microwave for about 2 minutes before wrapping, which gives you perfectly crispy bacon and tender asparagus at the same time.

What to Serve With Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus?

This bacon wrapped asparagus makes a great side dish for just about any grilled meat, especially steak, chicken breasts, or pork chops. Since the asparagus is already pretty filling with the bacon, I like to keep the rest of the meal simple with a baked potato or some garlic mashed potatoes on the side. A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the bacon, or you could serve it alongside grilled corn on the cob for a full summer cookout spread. If you’re looking for something heartier, these bundles pair really well with rice pilaf or roasted baby potatoes tossed in herbs.

Storage Instructions

Store: Keep any leftover grilled bacon wrapped asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The bacon won’t be quite as crispy after storing, but it still tastes great cold or reheated.

Make Ahead: You can wrap the asparagus with bacon up to a day before grilling. Just store them in the fridge on a plate covered with plastic wrap, then grill when you’re ready to serve.

Reheat: Pop the leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to warm them through. You can also use an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to crisp up the bacon again.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 450-550
• Protein: 22-28 g
• Fat: 36-44 g
• Carbohydrates: 8-10 g

Ingredients

• 24 spears asparagus (tough ends trimmed off, about 1-2 inches from the bottom)
• 10 slices bacon (I prefer Wright brand thick-cut for easier wrapping)
• 1.5 tbsp olive oil (I use Bertolli Extra Virgin for a mild flavor)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Step 1: Prepare the Asparagus and Season

• 24 spears asparagus
• 1.5 tbsp olive oil
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Trim the tough bottom 1-2 inches from each asparagus spear by snapping them at their natural breaking point or cutting with a knife.

Rinse and pat the asparagus dry thoroughly—this is important so the seasoning adheres properly and they grill evenly without excess moisture.

In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until every spear is evenly coated.

Set aside while you prepare the bacon.

Step 2: Wrap Asparagus Bundles with Bacon

• seasoned asparagus from Step 1
• 10 slices bacon

Divide the seasoned asparagus into 8 bundles of 3 spears each.

Take one slice of bacon and wrap it around the middle of each bundle, tucking the ends under so they stay secure during grilling.

I find that thick-cut bacon works best here because it’s more forgiving and less likely to tear when wrapping.

Arrange the wrapped bundles on a plate, ready to grill.

Step 3: Grill the Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

• bacon-wrapped bundles from Step 2

Preheat your grill to 400°F and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.

Place the bacon-wrapped bundles directly on the grill, seam-side down first.

Grill for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally (every 8-10 minutes) to ensure the bacon renders and crisps on all sides while the asparagus becomes tender and lightly charred.

The bacon will be the guide here—once it’s golden and crispy, the asparagus underneath will be perfectly cooked.

Step 4: Cool and Serve

• grilled bundles from Step 3

Transfer the grilled asparagus bundles to a serving platter and let them rest for 2-3 minutes.

This brief cooling allows the flavors to settle and makes them easier to handle without burning yourself.

Serve warm as a side dish or appetizer.

Best Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Delicious Best Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 500

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 24 spears asparagus (tough ends trimmed off, about 1-2 inches from the bottom)
• 10 slices bacon (I prefer Wright brand thick-cut for easier wrapping)
• 1.5 tbsp olive oil (I use Bertolli Extra Virgin for a mild flavor)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Method

 

1. Trim the tough bottom 1-2 inches from each asparagus spear by snapping them at their natural breaking point or cutting with a knife. Rinse and pat the asparagus dry thoroughly—this is important so the seasoning adheres properly and they grill evenly without excess moisture. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until every spear is evenly coated. Set aside while you prepare the bacon.
2. Divide the seasoned asparagus into 8 bundles of 3 spears each. Take one slice of bacon and wrap it around the middle of each bundle, tucking the ends under so they stay secure during grilling. I find that thick-cut bacon works best here because it's more forgiving and less likely to tear when wrapping. Arrange the wrapped bundles on a plate, ready to grill.
3. Preheat your grill to 400°F and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the bacon-wrapped bundles directly on the grill, seam-side down first. Grill for 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally (every 8-10 minutes) to ensure the bacon renders and crisps on all sides while the asparagus becomes tender and lightly charred. The bacon will be the guide here—once it's golden and crispy, the asparagus underneath will be perfectly cooked.
4. Transfer the grilled asparagus bundles to a serving platter and let them rest for 2-3 minutes. This brief cooling allows the flavors to settle and makes them easier to handle without burning yourself. Serve warm as a side dish or appetizer.