Grilled Asparagus

Vegetables are a great addition to any meal, whether they are boiled, steamed, baked, or fried. The best way to retain nutrients and pack a flavorful punch, however, is by grilling them. Asparagus is one of the greatest vegetables to grill because they are sturdy enough to hold up to the high heat and also develop some delicious caramelization once they are charred.

Grilled Asparagus Benefits

Besides the amazing flavor that develops when asparagus is grilled, there are also several other benefits. This hearty green vegetable is loaded with vitamins A, C, E, and K, in addition to being full of fiber, folate, and chromium. Eating asparagus on a regular basis can help lower blood pressure, aid in weight loss and digestion, and reduce the symptoms of health issues like diabetes and kidney disease.

By grilling the asparagus, all of those vital nutrients are kept inside of the vegetable, which means it ends up right inside of your body where you need it most. Grilling also reduces the need for extra pots and pans, which means less clean up for you after dinner.

Grilled Asparagus Recipe

Asparagus is packed with so much flavor that you really don’t need to add much to it to create a great side dish. The char from the grill will help to caramelize the natural sugars within the asparagus, making it crunchy, tender, smoky, and sweet- all at the same time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh asparagus
• 3 tbsp olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving

Directions

1. Prepare the asparagus by rinsing it under cold, running water to clean it thoroughly.

2. Remove the fibrous ends by holding the asparagus at both ends and snapping it. Line up the remaining asparagus with that spear and cut off the rest of the ends to match. The ends can either be discarded or reserved to make homemade vegetable stock.

3. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus spears with the oil, salt, and pepper until coated.

4. Place the spears crosswise on a preheated grill over medium-high heat. Cooking them crosswise helps prevent them from falling through the grates. You can also use a vegetable basket to cook them in on the grill.

5. Cook the asparagus for 5 to 10 minutes, turning them occasionally. They are done when they are tender, but still slightly crunchy with nice grill marks on all sides.

6. Serve alongside lemon wedges for you and your guests to squeeze over the grilled asparagus before eating.

Visit The Butcher Shop for the finest grass-fed meats, fruits, and vegetables, like the asparagus needed to make this tasty side dish. Fresh vegetables prepared with minimal ingredients in a quick, easy manner such as grilling is the best way to maintain the most nutrients and enhance their already-delicious flavor.