Smoked Asparagus With Bacon

Name: Smoked Asparagus
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 30 asparagus spears; 1 package of pork bacon; 2 Tablespoon olive oil; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, (freshly grated)

Yield 8 people

Cook 30

Prep 10

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This smoked asparagus is wrapped in bacon, drizzled in olive oil, and then topped with Parmesan cheese. Not only is it the perfect side dish, it's also an amazing appetizer!

White plate containing five asparagus wrapped in bacon and topped with Parmesan cheese.

Asparagus can be cooked in so many different ways – baked, grilled, sautéed. It's just so delicious, no matter how you cook it! And if you've never made smoked asparagus, then you are going to love this recipe. It tastes delicious when it's made with simple ingredients like olive oil, salt, and pepper. But when you wrap it in bacon (especially this sous vide bacon) and smoke it low and slow...it takes the flavor to a whole new level!

If you're already smoking something on the smoker, like this bacon wrapped stuffed meatloaf, smoked tri tip recipe, this smoked salmon recipe, or these smoked short ribs, you might as well go ahead and make this smoked asparagus! It's quick and easy to make and pairs perfectly with so many main dishes.

In my cookbook, Smoking Meat Made Easy, I created a lot of smoked meat recipes. But I also have a lot of smoked vegetable recipes like these garlic and herb smoked potatoes and smoked tomatoes. Just like this smoked asparagus, these smoked vegetables pair really well and taste great when eaten with any type of protein.

I have so many smoker recipes and the ones that contain smoked bacon, like these smoked green beans and my smoker beans with bacon, get the best reviews! Not only is it a great side dish, it's also the perfect appetizer! Look at what my readers are saying about this smoked asparagus:

...this is my go-to appetizer when asparagus are in season, it's always such a hit with the crowd and the taste is just utterly delicious!

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Why This Recipe Works
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
📋 Variations
🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
🙋 Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips
🍽️ More Smoker Recipes You'll Love
Smoked Asparagus

Why This Recipe Works

1. This smoked asparagus recipe can be made on any type of smoker.

2. You can taste the smoky flavor and still get that crunchy texture in each bite!

3. The prep is simple and the smoke time is minimal. It only takes 30-45 minutes to make from start to finish!

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

Asparagus, pepper, bacon, salt, olive oil, Parmesan cheese on a counter.

Asparagus: use fresh asparagus from the produce section. Do not use frozen or canned.
Bacon: uncooked pork bacon adds a salty and savory flavor.
Olive oil: used to season the asparagus before smoking.
Salt: coarse salt such as kosher or sea works best.
Pepper: adds a subtle peppery kick.
Parmesan cheese: freshly grated from a block works best and pairs well with the smoke flavor.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!

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📋 Variations

Bacon - to make a healthier version, use turkey bacon. If using a thick cut bacon, it may take a bit longer to cook, so adjust the smoke time as needed. Both thick cut and thin cut bacon works well with this recipe. Maple or Applewood bacon are also great choices and taste amazing!
Seasonings - try adding garlic powder, dried rosemary, and dill for even more flavor.
Flavored Olive Oil - any flavor infused olive oil, like garlic, lemon, or rosemary, will enhance the flavor.
Balsamic Vinegar - after the asparagus is done smoking, drizzle on a small amount of balsamic vinegar or reduction. Not only will it enhance the overall flavor, but it will also add a sweet and tangy flavor. Try a flavored version such as fig or cherry.

🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Step 1: The first thing you'll do is cut the ends off of the asparagus. I love the taste of asparagus but if the ends are too long, the taste can be bitter. Cut off about 2 inches at the end of each stalk.

Blanching asparagus spears in a skillet.

Step 2: Next, blanch the asparagus. Add 3 cups of water to a large skillet and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Add the fresh asparagus to the boiling water. Blanch for 2-3 minutes and then remove the stalks from the water.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tip: Blanching asparagus is a critical step before you smoke asparagus. This cooking technique keeps the asparagus moist and allows the smoke to seep in during the smoking process. While they're blanching, you'll notice the stalks will turn a bright green color. This means the asparagus is starting to tenderize.

Ziplock bag containing asparagus spears with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Step 3: Next, season the asparagus. I use a gallon-size plastic sealable bag and add the olive oil, salt, and pepper. From there, add the blanched spears and mix well until well coated.

White plate containing asparagus spears wrapped in turkey bacon topped with Parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Next you'll take 4-5 spears and wrap them in a piece of bacon. Repeat this process until all the asparagus spears are wrapped in a piece of bacon. Add a little bit of salt and pepper and then sprinkle on fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

An aluminum pan with asparagus wrapped in bacon being placed in a smoker.

Step 5: Add the prepared spears wrapped in bacon to an aluminum pan. You want to make sure the pan you use is smoker safe.

White plate containing asparagus spears, bacon, Parmesan cheese and olive oil.

Step 6: Place the pan in the smoker uncovered. Smoke for 30-45 minutes until the bacon is done.

Smoked asparagus has never been so easy or delicious to make! For an even more robust taste, try serving it with and dipping it in my homemade garlic aioli recipe. The flavor is out-of-this-world delicious!

🙋 Recipe FAQs

Can I smoke bacon wrapped asparagus at 225°F?

Yes you can, but the bacon will crisp up a bit more if you smoke it at 250°F or higher the last couple 5-10 minutes.

Should I cook the bacon before smoking the asparagus?

You don't have to cook the bacon strips before wrapping them. But if you do, it will add a nice crispness to the outside edges of the bacon before the smoking process starts. I've made them using seared bacon and uncooked bacon and both taste great!

Can I grill this bacon wrapped asparagus?

Yes, if you don't have a smoker, you can make this on the grill. Grilled asparagus is amazing. Just follow the same preparation steps in the recipe card below but instead of placing the bacon wrapped asparagus in the smoker, place them in a grilling basket that's safe for your grill. Grill for 10-15 minutes, or until the asparagus is just tender (al dente) and the bacon is done.

What happens if you overcook smoked asparagus?

If it's on the smoker too long, it will become overcooked and dry out. Blanching helps prevent this from happening, but to ensure it doesn't dry out, ensure you don't smoke it for more than 45 minutes. You can also lower the smoking temperature to 225°F. Not only will this help with retaining the moisture, but it will help prevent it from drying out.

Expert Tips

If you don't want to use a plastic sealable bag,, try using a large shallow dish to combine the oil and seasonings.
For a more grilled texture, place the wrapped asparagus directly on the smoker racks. Just make sure to turn the smoker to 225°F.
When blanching asparagus, use just enough water to just slightly cover the spears. If you use too much water, the spears can start to turn mushy.
I don't recommend wrapping the asparagus in foil. This is a recipe for smoked asparagus and since it is smoking for such a short amount of time, you want as much smoke on the vegetable and bacon as possible.

🍽️ More Smoker Recipes You'll Love

If you tried these smoked asparagus or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!

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