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 also makes for an amazing appetizer!
Smoked asparagus is the best and I just love anything wrapped in bacon! I also love any type of food smoked on the smoker, like this smoked tri tip recipe, this smoked salmon recipe, and these smoked short ribs. And let me tell you this bacon wrapped asparagus pairs perfectly with so many recipes!
It's quick to make and you're going to love the smoked bacon flavor. Both simple and delicious, smoked vegetable recipes like these garlic and herb smoked potatoes and smoked tomatoes pair perfectly with many main dishes.
And this smoked asparagus is no exception! I make a lot of smoker recipes and the ones that contain smoked bacon, like these smoked green beans and my smoker beans with bacon, get the best reviews!
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Quick Recipe Overview
Why This Is The Best Smoked Asparagus: Bacon makes everything better, especially when it's wrapped in fresh asparagus! A simple and delicious recipe, every bite is filled with incredible flavor!
How Long It Takes: 45 minutes
Equipment You'll Need: any kind of smoker
ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works
1. Smoking vegetables has never been easier with the convenience of the electric smoker and pellet smoker. And this recipe can be made on any type of smoker, including a propane gas or charcoal smoker.
2. If you like the taste of roasted asparagus, then you'll love the flavor in this smoked version!
3. The prep is simple and the smoke time is minimal. And it only takes 30-45 minutes for this smoker recipe to cook!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Asparagus - you'll need 1-2 bunches of fresh asparagus. Never use canned or frozen when making this smoked bacon wrapped asparagus.
- Bacon - You have the choice of using pork or turkey bacon. When making this smoked asparagus recipe, you just can't go wrong with either.
- Olive Oil - if you have a flavor infused olive oil, use it. If not, EVOO or olive oil works fine.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
🗒️ Prepping the Smoker
For this recipe, you'll want to preheat the smoker until it reaches 250°F. Preparing the smoker is super important when it comes to smoking food. Depending on what type of smoker you have depends on how your prepare it for smoking food.
You've got to prepare the water pan, get the chips/chunks ready, and get the smoker pre-heated. I go into detail on how to prepare a propane gas smoker in my Applewood Smoked Chicken recipe. If you have a propane smoker, check the details out here on Step 4 - Preparing the Smoker.
🔪 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 is bitter and a bit overbearing. Cut off about 2 inches at the end of each stalk.
Step 2: Next, blanch the asparagus. Blanching asparagus is a crucial step when making this recipe. It keeps the asparagus moist and allows the smoke to seep in.
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. While it's blanching, you'll notice it will turn bright green in color. This means the asparagus is starting to tenderize. Blanch for a total of 2-3 minutes and then remove the stalks from the water.
Step 3: Now it's time to season the asparagus. I grab a gallon-size plastic bag and add the olive oil, salt, and pepper. From there, add the blanched spears and mix well until the asparagus is well coated.
👩🍳 Expert Tip: To reduce the use of plastic, try using a large shallow dish to combine the seasonings.
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 Parmesan cheese.
👩🍳 Expert Tip: While you don't have to sear the bacon strips before wrapping them, it will add a nice crisp to the outside edges before smoking. I've made it using seared bacon and uncooked bacon and both taste great.
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.
👩🍳 Expert Tip: You can also place the wrapped asparagus directly on the smoker racks, just turn the smoker temperature down to 225°F. This method will product more of a grilled asparagus texture.
Step 6: Place the pan in the smoker uncovered. Smoke for 30-45 minutes until the bacon is done.
This smoked bacon wrapped asparagus is amazingly delicious and pairs really well with so many smoker recipes such as smoked brisket burnt ends and smoked prime rib! Everyone loves the smokey flavor in every bite!
🙋 Recipe FAQs
You can, but the bacon will crisp up a bit more if you smoke it at 250°F or higher.
Yes, if you don't have a smoker, you can grill this asparagus wrapped in bacon. Grilled asparagus is amazing. Just follow the same preparation steps in the recipe card but instead of placing the bacon wrapped asparagus in the smoker, place them in a grilling basket that's safe for your grill.
💭 Expert Tips
- This recipe is not only a great side dish, but also makes for an amazing appetizer!
- 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 this 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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Smoked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Equipment
- Smoker
Ingredients
- 30 asparagus spears
- 1 package of bacon, (turkey or pork)
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil, drizzle
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker until it reaches an internal temperature of 250°F.
- Cut 2 inches off the end of all 30 asparagus spears. Discard the stems.
- Add 3 cups of water to a large skillet and bring to a rolling boil on medium-high heat. Add all the fresh asparagus to the boiling water. Blanch for a total of 2-3 minutes and then remove them from the water.
- In a gallon Ziplock baggie or large shallow bowl, add the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Next, add all the blanched asparagus spears and mix well until the asparagus is coated.
- Take 4-5 asparagus spears out of the plastic bag and wrap a piece of bacon around the stalks. Expert Tip: While you don't have to sear the bacon strips before wrapping them, it will add a nice crisp to the outside edges before smoking. I've made it using seared bacon and raw bacon and both taste great. Repeat until all the asparagus is wrapped in a piece of bacon. Sprinkle additional salt, pepper and ¼ cup of fresh Parmesan cheese on top of each bunch.
- Add the prepared spears wrapped in bacon to an aluminum pan. Place pan in the smoker uncovered. Expert Tip: You can also place the wrapped asparagus directly on the smoker racks, just turn the smoker temperature down to 225°F. This method will product more of a grilled asparagus texture.
- Smoke at 250°F for 30-45 minutes until the bacon is done. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Nutritional information is calculated using turkey bacon.
- This recipe is not only a great side dish, but also makes for an amazing appetizer!
- When blanching, use just enough water to just slightly cover the spears. If you use too much water, it can start to turn mushy.
- I don't recommend wrapping the asparagus in foil. You want as much smoke on the asparagus and bacon as possible.
- You can either use turkey bacon or pork bacon. And, you can choose to sear the bacon beforehand or not. It's a matter of preference.
- If you don't have a smoker, you can grill this asparagus wrapped in bacon. Grilled asparagus is amazing. Just follow the same preparation steps above but instead of placing these in the smoker, place them in a grilling basket that's safe for your grill.
Jacqueline Debono
I've actually just ordered a smoker and am so excited about starting to use it. So many great recipes to try including this smoked asparagus. Looks delicious!
Amanda Mason
Nice!! You will love your smoker!! Let me know how you like the recipe once you make it!!
Daniela Weiner
Served this Bacon wrapped asparagus as a side dish and it stole the show. Everyone was raving about this delicious dish
Amanda Mason
Nice! I'm so glad everyone loved it!!!
Cathleen
This recipe is definitely convincing me to buy a smoker! I am going to my in-laws place next week and they have a smoker. I can't wait to try this recipe 🙂
Amanda Mason
Smokers are so readily available and easy to use these days so definitely worth buying one. And they are affordable, too!! Let me know how the recipe turns out for you!
Dennis Littley
I made your asparagus recipe using pork bacon and it was a huge success! It's our new favorite way to make asparagus!
Amanda Mason
Yes! It's super good with both pork and turkey! You just cant go wrong here!!! So glad you loved it!
veenaazmanov
The combination of Bacon and Asparagus sounds unique. This platter looks perfect snack for a Party. Cheesy toppings makes it yummy too.
Amanda Mason
It's a crowd pleaser! Enjoy!
LaKita
Made this with turkey bacon and it came out so perfect and delicious! The whole family absolutely loved it!!
Amanda Mason
I'm so glad they loved this!! It is a super tasty dish!!
Amanda
Smoking is the way to go with bacon-wrapped asparagus! We just loved the flavor the smoking process added, especially with the bacon. Will definitely make again!
Amanda Mason
So glad you loved it, Amanda!!
Anna
This is my go-to appetiser when asparagus are in season, it's always such a hit with the crowd and the taste is just utterly delicious!
Amanda Mason
So glad these are such a great hit for you!! They are perfect as an appetizer or a side dish!
Chenée
I love roasted asparagus, so I know I will love this smoked version! Add bacon and I'm hooked!
Amanda Mason
Yes! Enjoy!!