Smoked asparagus is one of the best, easiest recipes you can make on your smoker in the summer. This smoked asparagus is uniquely flavorful, perfectly textured, and looks beautiful laid out at your next barbecue.
How To Make Smoked Asparagus
Smoked asparagus is truly one of the easiest smoking recipes you can make.
All you need is some fresh asparagus, a little olive oil, and the seasoning of your choice.
Toss it on the smoker for 45-60 minutes, and you've got a healthy, delicious BBQ side dish.
We used pecan pellets for this cook, but feel free to use whichever flavored pellets you prefer!
The Ingredients
- Asparagus (2 bunches). Washed and trimmed.
- Olive oil (2 tbsp). To help the seasoning stick to the asparagus.
- Seasoning (1 tbsp). Salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning mix.
The Directions
1. Wash and trim the asparagus. Meanwhile, preheat your smoker to 225F.
2. Season the asparagus with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning on top of two sheets of aluminum foil.
3. With your smoker running at 225F, place the asparagus—still atop the aluminum foil—on the grill grates.
4. Smoke for 45-60 minutes, or until tender but still firm.
Cooking Temperature & Time
- Cooking Temperature. We smoked this asparagus at 225F until it became became tender but still crispy.
- Cooking Time. This asparagus took about 60 minutes to finish on our 225F Traeger.
How To Choose Asparagus
- Color: Look for bright green asparagus with no yellowing.
- Tips: Choose asparagus with closed, compact, and moist tips.
- Stalks: The stalks should be firm and smooth, not wrinkled or shriveled.
- Uniformity: For even cooking, select asparagus that is about the same size all around.
- Smell: Fresh asparagus should have a clean, fresh smell. Avoid if it smells unpleasant or sour.
Remember to use asparagus within two to three days for the best flavor and texture.
How To Prepare Asparagus
Cleaning and trimming asparagus properly is key to enjoying its flavor and texture.
Here are some steps to prepare it:
Rinse: Run the asparagus spears under cool water to remove any dirt. Gently rub the stalks and tips with your fingers while rinsing.
Cut the Ends: The bottom end of the asparagus spear is often tough and woody. It's best to remove it before cooking. You can do this by gently bending the spear near the base until it snaps naturally. Alternatively, you can line up all the asparagus spears and cut off the ends with a knife where they start to turn woody (usually one to two inches from the base).
Peel (Optional): For very thick asparagus stalks, you may want to peel the bottom half to remove the tougher outer layer. Use a vegetable peeler and be careful not to peel too much from the more tender upper portions.
Clean and trim asparagus just before you're ready to cook it, as cut asparagus can dry out quickly.
How To Tell When The Asparagus Is Done
Here are some signs that your asparagus is done:
Color: Cooked asparagus should be vibrant green. If it's turning a dull, olive green, it's probably overcooked.
Tenderness: Asparagus should be tender but still firm. You should be able to pierce it with a fork, but it shouldn't be mushy.
Taste: The best way to know if your asparagus is cooked is to taste it. It should have a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Overcooked asparagus may become bitter.
Texture: Perfectly cooked asparagus should retain a slight crunch. If it's limp and overly soft, it's overcooked.
The size of your asparagus can affect the cooking time. Thinner spears will cook faster than thicker ones, so adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Smoked asparagus doesn't freeze well as it can become watery and mushy. Instead, it's best to store it in the refrigerator. Place the leftover asparagus in an airtight container or tightly seal it in plastic bag, and refrigerate for up to a week.
- To Reheat. You can reheat the refrigerated asparagus in a 350F degree oven for 10-15 minutes, spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can still smoke asparagus with a charcoal or gas grill. Just be sure to maintain a low and consistent temperature and to use wood chips or chunks to produce smoke.
You can smoke frozen asparagus. Fully thaw and pat dry the asparagus before smoking to make sure it cooks evenly. Frozen asparagus can be a bit softer than fresh, so be sure not to overcook it.
What To Serve With Smoked Asparagus
Pair your asparagus with these juicy, tender chicken thighs.
Smoked asparagus goes perfectly with tender 321 ribs.
I love enjoying smoked asparagus with this smoked pork belly.
Recommended Tools & Equipment
- Traeger Grill. I love my Traeger 780 for all things smoking!
- Pellets. I've really been digging the pellets from BBQ'ers Delight.
- Aluminum Pans. I always keep these small aluminum pans on hand. They're perfect for things like sauces and apps that need to go on the smoker, but you don't want to put directly on the grill grates.
More BBQ Side Dish Recipes To Try
Best Smoked Asparagus
Ingredients
- 2 bunches asparagus washed and trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp seasoning salt, pepper, garlic
Instructions
- Wash and trim the asparagus. Meanwhile, preheat your smoker to 225F.
- Season the asparagus with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning on top of two sheets of aluminum foil.
- With your smoker running at 225F, place the asparagus—still atop the aluminum foil—on the grill grates.
- Smoke for 45-60 minutes, or until crisp and tender.
