Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Content… Crispy and Tender Asparagus Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Tantalizing Bacon Recipes to Try Conclusion

Crispy and Tender Asparagus

Look for asparagus that has firm stalks and tips that are tightly closed to ensure you’re getting the freshest bunch. Additionally, do a quick smell test; fresh asparagus should have a mild, earthy aroma. Avoid stalks that look wilted or have yellowish tips.

To prepare the asparagus, wash it well and trim off the woody ends. The easiest way to do that is by using the bend-and-break method. Hold one end of the asparagus in each hand and gently bend it until it snaps. It will automatically break where the woody end stops.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Asparagus – Bright, firm asparagus is the base. Look for stalks that are uniform in size for even cooking.
2. Bacon – Regular-cut bacon is ideal for covering the asparagus with a savory, slightly smoky element.
3. Seasonings – Garlic adds a burst of nutty flavor, and Italian seasonings lend a delightful earthiness to the asparagus. Good old salt and pepper enhance the flavor.
4. Olive Oil – Used for its rich flavor and making the herbs stick to the asparagus.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

• Preheat oven to 400℉/200℃. Line a large baking sheet with parchment or foil paper. Set aside.
• Bacon – Place the bacon in a single layer on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until bacon is crisp; cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the bacon. The idea is to cook the bacon halfway. (Photo 1)
• Seasonings – While bacon is cooking, make the spice mix. In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and oil.
• Finish Bacon – Remove the bacon from the oven, drain the grease, and let it cool enough to handle. Discard parchment paper and replace it with a clean one. Set the baking tray aside.
• Wrap – Grab 3-4 stalks of asparagus and place them on top of a slice of bacon. Wrap the bacon strips around them and tuck the ends underneath the asparagus. (Photos 2-3
• Season – Place on the baking sheet with the bacon seam-side down. Repeat until you’ve wrapped all the asparagus. Brush the spice mixture over the asparagus and bacon bundles, covering every inch with the spice mixture.
• Bake wrapped asparagus bundles for 15-20 minutes or cooked to your preference. Time will vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus. (Photo 4)
• Serve – Take them out of the oven and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the seasonings to give the asparagus some heat.
2. Cheesy – Sprinkle the roasted asparagus with freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese just before serving for a deep, nutty flavor.
3. Air-Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus – Asparagus wrapped in bacon is delicious in the air fryer. 400℉ (205℃) for 10-15 minutes or until the bacon is how you like it.
4. Seasoning Swap – Use seasoned salt or everything bagel seasoning for a toasty, nutty flavor boost and lots of crunch!
5. Meat Swap – You can replace the bacon with prosciutto. Prosciutto doesn’t need to precook, so you can skip straight to assembly. 😊

Tips and Tricks

1. Arrange the asparagus bundles on a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep the bacon crispy.
2. Avoid overlapping the bacon edges too much when wrapping the asparagus bunches. That helps the bacon cook evenly and crispy. 😉
3. It’s easy to overcook asparagus. Gently pierce it with a fork. When done, it pierces easily with a little resistance.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the uncooked asparagus a day or two ahead. Prepare the asparagus bundles as directed and wrap them in the cooked bacon. Store the bundles in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Then, bake them before serving.

For easy meal prep, let the cooked bundles cool completely. Then freeze them in a freezer ziplock back for around two months. Pull out one bundle per person and reheat it in the oven or microwave.

Serving and Storage Instructions

Bacon-wrapped asparagus is best right out of the oven with your favorite protein. However, it also tastes good at room temperature for an appetizer on a buffet table.

You can store leftover asparagus bundles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place on a baking sheet and heat at 375℉ (190℃) until heated.

Fresh asparagus gets mushy when frozen, but cooked asparagus freezes fine. Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. You don’t even need to thaw it first. Just put your frozen wrapped asparagus in the oven and bake until heated.

FAQs

What to Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

I love pairing bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles with oven-baked salmon or herb-crusted pork loin. Add some duchess potatoes or grilled potato wedges to the table, and you have a feast fit for a king!

More Tantalizing Bacon Recipes to Try

1. Bacon Broccoli Salad
2. Green Beans and Bacon
3. Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
4. Southern Baked Beans and Bacon

Conclusion

Take your side dishes to the next level with this elegant and kid-friendly bacon-wrapped asparagus! Hungry for more easy side dishes? Follow me on Instagram! 😉

This blog post was originally published in November 2020 and has been updated with additional tips and new photos.