Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce
on Mar 06, 2023, Updated Jan 25, 2025
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Tender asparagus becomes even more irresistible with a drizzle of a citrusy buttery sauce.
Grilled asparagus drizzled with browned lemon butter sauce tastes so fancy schmancy…but it’s stupidly easy to make at home! The simple sauce turns this simple vegetable into a sophisticated side, perfect for al fresco meals and cook outs, and also perfect for holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day.
We are full-fledged asparagus fans in my house. Especially during the spring season, when asparagus is plentiful and super fresh— whether roasted, grilled, or steamed — it’s one of our favorite vegetable sides. It goes with everything from Grilled Chicken Breasts to New England Baked Haddock.
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Discover more tips and tricks for grilling asparagus. But do feel free to prepare your simply cooked asparagus any way you prefer. You can change up your asparagus cooking approach according to what’s happening in your house around dinner (oven already on? Roast it!) and also the season. The lemon butter sauce will work with asparagus cooked any which way.
Tender asparagus become even more irresistible with a drizzle of rich bright deliciousness in this Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce.
Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Sauce Ingredients
- Asparagus – Thicker stalks of asparagus are best for grilling. Peel the tougher outer skin from the larger stalks with a vegetable peeler.
- Olive oil
For the Lemon Sauce
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic – Finely mince the garlic so it covers the asparagus well.
- Lemon juice – Fresh juice is best and adds a nice zing to the recipe.
How to Make Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Make the lemon butter sauce: Melt the butter with the garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat and allow to come to a gentle simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the garlic becomes tender and turns light golden brown. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the asparagus: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Coat the asparagus with olive oil, then transfer to the grill with the spears facing perpendicular to the grates (or use a grill basket). Cook, turning often, until they are cooked to your liking, anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes.
- Sauce the asparagus: Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter. Rewarm the sauce for a minute over medium heat, then drizzle the warm lemon butter sauce over the asparagus.
- Serve: Give the asparagus a final grind of fresh pepper and a sprinkle of salt.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t forget that the asparagus will continue to cook a bit after you remove them from the heat.
- You can double or triple (or more!) this recipe for a party. If you wanted to make this for a holiday meal, I would roast or steam the asparagus and then drizzle it with the lemon butter sauce.
- I love to use Maldon salt for finishing dishes like this asparagus side — it may cost a bit more, but those big flaky crystals are a game changer. You will never be so happy to spend 5 bucks on an ingredient.
What to Serve With Asparagus and Lemon Butter Sauce
More Asparagus Recipes
- Garlicky Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
- Grilled Asparagus with Vinaigrette
- Asparagus Remoulade with Egg
- Asparagus with Herbed Dipping Sauce
- Sesame Asparagus and Shiitake Mushrooms
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Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce
Ingredients
For the Lemon Sauce
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
For the Grilled Asparagus
- 2 pounds thick asparagus (trimmed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Melt the butter with the garlic in a small saucepot over medium-low heat and allow to come to a gentle simmer for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the garlic softens and turns light golden brown. Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the asparagus: Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- On a sheet pan, toss the asparagus with the olive oil. Transfer to the grill with the spears facing perpendicular to the grates (or use a grill basket). Use tongs to turn them as they get grill marks on the bottom, until they are cooked to your liking, anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes, depending on how well you like them cooked. Don’t forget that they will continue to cook a bit after you remove them from the heat.
- Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter. Rewarm the sauce for a minute over medium heat, then drizzle over the lemon butter sauce. Give the asparagus a final grind of fresh pepper and a sprinkle of salt.
Notes
- The easiest way to prepare asparagus? Hold a spear between your hands and start to gently bend it. The woody end will snap right off!
- Don’t forget that the asparagus will continue to cook a bit after you remove them from the heat.
- You can double or triple (or more!) this recipe for a party. If you wanted to make this for a holiday meal, I would roast or steam the asparagus and then drizzle it with the lemon butter sauce.
- I love to use Maldon salt for finishing dishes like this asparagus side — it may cost a bit more, but those big flaky crystals are a game changer. You will never be so happy to spend 5 bucks on an ingredient.
So simple and a delicious way to use spring asparagus!