“Unlock the Delicate Flavors of Asparagus with Traeger: Elevate your grilling game by harnessing the power of Traeger to perfectly cook asparagus, accentuating its natural sweetness and earthy notes. Discover expert tips and mouthwatering recipes to create sensational grilled asparagus dishes that will impress your family and friends.”
Traeger Smoked Asparagus
This Traeger smoked asparagus recipe is a game-changer when it comes to side dishes. The rich, smoky flavors, perfectly grilled tips, and crunchy stalks create a heavenly vegetable dish that will elevate any meal. Pair it with chicken thighs, steak, casserole, grilled salmon, or a brat sausage sandwich for a healthy and flavorful addition.
What makes this recipe even better is how easy it is to make. Minimal prep time and the convenience of cooking them directly on the Traeger’s grill grates mean there are no additional dishes to clean up. It’s a win-win situation!
While soaking asparagus in water before cooking isn’t necessary, it can help remove any fine grit that may be present inside the tips and around the vegetable. Soaking for just a few minutes won’t add much to your prep time but can improve the overall quality of the asparagus.
When it comes to shocking the asparagus in an ice bath after cooking to prevent them from going soggy, it’s best to skip this step for this particular recipe. Doing so would compromise the smoky flavor and delicious layer of olive oil that adds so much depth to this dish.
To ensure you don’t overcook your asparagus, keep an eye on them while they’re on the grill. It’s better to remove them just before you think they’re done rather than risk overcooking them. Proper preparation and timely removal from the Traeger will result in perfectly cooked asparagus every time.
If you want to take your asparagus up a notch, consider adding additional seasonings such as basil, dill, lemon, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, or honey. These flavors can enhance the overall taste profile and offer more variety.
When it comes to serving the smoked asparagus, you can pair it with potatoes and your choice of protein to create a complete and satisfying meal. The best way to determine if the asparagus is cooked to perfection is by piercing it with a fork. It should be easily pierced but not mushy or pale.
This Traeger smoked asparagus recipe is not only a reliable side dish but also a delicious and satisfying option for any occasion. Be warned, though, there may not be any leftovers once you try it – that’s just how good it is!
Why This Recipe Works
This Traeger smoked asparagus recipe is a winner for several reasons. First, the smoky flavor from cooking on the Traeger grill adds a delicious depth to the asparagus, enhancing its natural taste. Second, the combination of perfectly grilled tips and crunchy stalks creates a satisfying texture that pairs well with various dishes. Third, the recipe is incredibly easy to prepare with minimal prep time and no additional dishes to clean. Lastly, the versatility of this dish allows it to be paired with a variety of proteins or incorporated into other recipes.
The recipe suggests soaking the asparagus in water before cooking to remove any fine grit that may be present. While not necessary, this step can ensure a cleaner eating experience. Additionally, “shocking” the asparagus in an ice bath after cooking is typically done to prevent them from becoming soggy. However, for this recipe, it is advised against as it may compromise the smoky flavor and olive oil coating.
Timing is crucial when cooking asparagus on the grill. It’s recommended to keep an eye on them and remove them just before they are fully cooked to avoid overcooking. Asparagus pairs well with simple seasonings like olive oil, salt, and pepper, but can also be enhanced with flavors like basil, dill, lemon, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, or honey.
When selecting asparagus for this recipe, look for stalks that are easily pierced with a fork but still firm and vibrant in color. Mushy or pale asparagus should be avoided.
This Traeger smoked asparagus recipe promises to become a go-to side dish for weeknight meals due to its delicious flavors and easy preparation. Whether enjoyed alone or paired with potatoes and protein of choice, this dish is sure to impress!
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional seasoning blend (such as Greek Freak, Rosemary Dijon, Black and Bleu, or Pizza Pie)
Using the Traeger gives these asparagus spears an incredible smoky flavor while retaining this vegetable’s signature crunch. It’s extremely easy to make and is almost completely mess-free with minimal clean-up! It uses very little oil, making it a glorious side dish for health-conscious folks.
Instructions:
- Preheat your Traeger grill to 400°F.
- Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and place them on a plate.
- Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and toss them until well coated.
- Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and optional seasoning on the asparagus.
- Place the asparagus directly on the grill grates and close the lid.
- Roast for 5 to 7 minutes for tender-crisp texture (it will still have a snap to it). For softer asparagus, roast for 10 to 15 minutes.
- You can serve grilled asparagus hot, cold or at room temperature. It is great with a squeeze of lemon juice or some shavings of Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy this delicious and easy Traeger smoked asparagus recipe alongside your favorite main dish or incorporate it into other recipes for added flavor!</p
How To Make It
To make this delicious smoked asparagus recipe, follow these simple steps:
1. Start by preheating your Traeger grill to 400°F.
2. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus stalks and place them on a plate.
3. Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and toss them until they are well coated.
4. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and any optional seasoning blend of your choice over the asparagus.
5. Place the seasoned asparagus directly on the grill grates of your preheated Traeger grill.
6. Close the lid and let the asparagus roast for about 5 to 7 minutes for a tender-crisp texture or 10 to 15 minutes if you prefer them cooked until soft.
7. Keep an eye on the asparagus while it cooks to avoid overcooking. You want them to be slightly crunchy but not mushy.
8. Once cooked to your desired texture, remove the smoked asparagus from the grill and serve hot, cold, or at room temperature.
You can enjoy grilled asparagus on its own or pair it with a squeeze of lemon juice or some shavings of Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Tips For Success
1. Soak the asparagus in water before cooking to remove any fine grit that may be hiding inside the tips and stalks.
2. Avoid “shocking” the asparagus in an ice bath after cooking, as this can cause them to become soggy and lose their smoky flavor.
3. Keep a close eye on the asparagus while it’s cooking on the grill, as it can easily overcook. Remove it from the grill just before you think it’s done to ensure it stays crispy and flavorful.
4. Experiment with different seasonings and toppings to enhance the flavor of the asparagus. Try basil, dill, lemon, parmesan, nutmeg, or honey for a delicious twist.
5. Serve the grilled asparagus with potatoes and your choice of protein to make it a complete meal.
6. When trimming the tough ends off the asparagus, hold one stalk in the center and bend it until it snaps at the woody area. Then line up the shorter asparagus next to it and slice them all to match its length.
7. If using a seasoning blend with salt, consider omitting or adjusting the salt in the recipe accordingly.
8. Don’t overcook the smoked asparagus – poke them with a fork before removing from the grill to ensure they still have a slight crunch.
9. Store cooked asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
10. For added spice, sprinkle some chili flakes on top of the grilled asparagus for a vibrant kick.
Wrap Up
This Traeger smoked asparagus recipe is the ultimate side dish that is sure to impress. The rich, smoky flavors, perfectly grilled tips, and crunchy stalks will transport you to veggie-filled heaven. It pairs well with chicken thighs, steak, casserole, grilled salmon, or a brat sausage sandwich. The best part is that it’s incredibly easy to make with minimal prep time and no additional dishes to clean.
While soaking the asparagus in water before cooking is not necessary, it can help remove any fine grit that may be present. However, for this recipe, it’s recommended to skip this step to preserve the smoky flavor and olive oil coating.
It’s important to keep an eye on the asparagus while grilling and remove them just before you think they’re done. Overcooking can result in mushy and pale asparagus.
For seasoning options, you can stick with a simple drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper or get creative with basil, dill, lemon, parmesan cheese, nutmeg, or honey. You can also serve the asparagus with potatoes and your choice of protein for a complete meal.
To ensure your asparagus is cooked perfectly, it should be easily pierced with a fork but not mushy or pale in color.
Overall, this Traeger smoked asparagus recipe is a delicious and healthy side dish that will become a go-to for any weeknight meal. Just be warned – there may not be any leftovers!
In conclusion, cooking asparagus on a Traeger grill offers a delicious and versatile option. The even heat distribution ensures perfectly grilled asparagus every time. With its natural smoky flavor and tender texture, Traeger-grilled asparagus is a delightful addition to any meal or gathering. So why not give it a try and elevate your culinary experience with this simple yet flavorful dish?
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