FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Grilled Asparagus Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Grill Asparagus
• My Recipe Tips
• Serving Ideas
• Grilled Asparagus (Fast & Easy) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

When the weather warms up, I swap my go-to roasted asparagus for grilled asparagus ! There’s just something about that smoky, lightly charred flavor that gives it a totally different feel. This year (finally living somewhere warm!), I’m really enjoying that I have the chance to throw asparagus on the grill earlier in the season, instead of waiting until summer. But even if you’re not quite there yet, you have plenty of time to whip up this quick, savory side dish in the coming months. Once it’s warm enough, grab a bunch and make this grilled asparagus recipe with me!

Why You Need My Grilled Asparagus Recipe

• Fresh, flavorful, and perfectly crisp tender – Grilling asparagus brings out its natural sweetness, but I especially love the smoky flavor that other cooking methods don’t get you. And I have the timing dialed down to get those char marks and crispy tips without that limp, overcooked texture.
• Ready in less than 10 minutes – With just a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe has the fastest cook time of all my grilled vegetable recipes. Perfect with grilled salmon or grilled chicken legs for busy nights or last-minute BBQs!
• Choose from different ways to grill – I’ve tested directly on the grill as well as wrapped in foil, plus more alternatives in my tips below. Pick your favorite!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my grilled asparagus recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Asparagus – I recommend selecting thicker asparagus spears for grilling, because they are less prone to overcooking and you can get a nice char while keeping the crisp tender texture. If you’ve got thin ones, grilling in foil works best. And if you have too many to cook up before they go bad, use the extras to make my pickled asparagus .
• Oil – I usually use regular olive oil , but extra virgin or even avocado oil works, too.
• Spices – Garlic powder , sea salt, and black pepper. If you want a stronger flavor, try paprika, Italian seasoning , or lemon pepper .
• Lemon Wedges – Totally optional, but they add a nice zip at the end. You can also mix 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice with the oil before grilling if you like.

How To Grill Asparagus

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Prep your grill and asparagus. Preheat the grill to medium-high (or heat a grill pan for 5 minutes). Meanwhile, trim the woody ends of the asparagus—just snap or cut them!
2. Sprinkle with seasonings . Toss the spears with the oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I like to use a baking dish rather than a bowl, so the stalks can lay flat.

1. Wrap in foil if you want. If using foil (see my tips below on when you might want to), place the asparagus on a large sheet of aluminum foil and fold to seal the edges like a packet. Otherwise, skip to the next step.
2. Grill asparagus. Cook the asparagus on the grill, turning occasionally, until bright green, tender, and a little charred. Serve your vegetables with a squeeze of lemon juice if you like!

My Recipe Tips

• I repeat: Thick asparagus spears work best! They’re easier to handle, less likely to overcook, and get a better char.
• How to decide which method to use: Cooking asparagus on the grill grates is the fastest — just a few minutes — and gets you char marks with crispy tips. On the other hand, grilling asparagus in foil is less work flipping, no risk of falling through the grates, and works best for thinner spears (which tend to overcook directly on the grates) — even though it does take longer. Choose based on your needs, or try one of my other methods in the next 2 tips.
• Skewers can also make flipping easier. I usually skip the extra upfront work of skewering, but it did help when I tried it! Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30-60 minutes first, so they don’t catch fire. Then, line up 4-6 spears and skewer crosswise through the bottom half, then skewer again through the top half (2 rows total). When it’s time to flip, just rotate the skewers.
• Try a grill basket. A great balance of convenience and char marks! I got this one last year and love it.
• If there’s leftover oil or liquid at the bottom of the baking dish after mixing, shake it off before placing on the grill. Hot oil dripping down can cause flareups.
• Place the asparagus perpendicular to the grates. This reduces the chances of falling through.
• Use tongs to flip. A turner isn’t very effective because it pushes the spears around (sometimes through the grates). Tongs work much better.
• Watch for doneness indicators. Your stalks should turn bright green with char marks. They should also soften a bit (you can poke with a long fork to check), but not so much that they are floppy.
• Want to make this grilled asparagus recipe on a rainy day? I use a cast iron grill pan on the stovetop for those days! You don’t get the same flavor, but you do get the nice browning and perfect texture.

Serving Ideas

There are so many meals I love with grilled asparagus! Try these combos:

• Grilled Meats & Seafood – While I already have the grill on, my favorite proteins with this dish include grilled steak , grilled London broil , grilled cod , pollo asado , or simply the best burgers . For a special occasion, I love grilled lobster tail or grilled lamb chops .
• Savory Brunch – Grilled asparagus tastes amazing paired with my cloud eggs or eggs benedict casserole .
• Toppings – Sometimes I like a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese, crumbled feta, or fresh herbs after cooking. You can even drizzle with my homemade hollandaise , lemon butter sauce , or tahini sauce for something new and different.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 lb Asparagus (woody ends cut off) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder (optional) ▢
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• Lemon wedges (optional) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes , or a grill pan for 5 minutes .
2. Arrange asparagus in a baking dish . Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder, if using. Use your hands to toss and turn the pieces, so that they are evenly coated in oil and seasoning.
3. To grill asparagus directly on the grill: Place asparagus on the grill, perpendicular to the grates. Grill for 2-4 minutes , turning halfway through to lightly char all sides, until tender. (Add an extra couple of minutes if your asparagus is thick.) To grill asparagus in foil: Place the asparagus on a large piece of tin foil , fold over the foil and seal to form a foil packet. Place the foil packet onto the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes , turning halfway through, until tender.
4. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 lb, or 1/4 of entire recipe

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you avoid overcooking, decide which method to use, make flipping easier, and keep asparagus from slipping through the grates.
• Store: Keep leftover asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It gets much softer so I don’t love it plain, but it’s delicious tossed in a frittata , egg bites , salmon salad , mixed with zoodles in Alfredo sauce , or even a green smoothie !
• Reheat: If you still want to reheat separately, your best bet is the oven at 325 degrees F, or the air fryer.
• Freeze: It’s doable, but it’ll get a bit mushy. Freeze up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge before reheating.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Grilled Asparagus

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Grilled Asparagus (Fast & Easy)

Cooking asparagus on the grill leaves it sweet, tender, and smoky – and this is the only grilled asparagus recipe you’ll ever need!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/grilled-asparagus/

Ingredients

• 1 lb Asparagus (woody ends cut off)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder (optional)
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the grill over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes , or a grill pan for 5 minutes .
2. Arrange asparagus in a baking dish . Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder, if using. Use your hands to toss and turn the pieces, so that they are evenly coated in oil and seasoning.
3. To grill asparagus directly on the grill: Place asparagus on the grill, perpendicular to the grates. Grill for 2-4 minutes , turning halfway through to lightly char all sides, until tender. (Add an extra couple of minutes if your asparagus is thick.) To grill asparagus in foil: Place the asparagus on a large piece of tin foil , fold over the foil and seal to form a foil packet. Place the foil packet onto the grill and cook for 10-15 minutes , turning halfway through, until tender.
4. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 lb, or 1/4 of entire recipe

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you avoid overcooking, decide which method to use, make flipping easier, and keep asparagus from slipping through the grates.
• Store: Keep leftover asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It gets much softer so I don’t love it plain, but it’s delicious tossed in a frittata , egg bites , salmon salad , mixed with zoodles in Alfredo sauce , or even a green smoothie !
• Reheat: If you still want to reheat separately, your best bet is the oven at 325 degrees F, or the air fryer.
• Freeze: It’s doable, but it’ll get a bit mushy. Freeze up to 3 months, then thaw in the fridge before reheating.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)