Grilled Asparagus with Vinaigrette
on Apr 19, 2021, Updated Mar 07, 2025
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A fabulous, pretty, and simple warm-weather side. Make sure to serve the grilled asparagus with grains or crusty bread to sop up all of the tangy vinaigrette.
The simplest things are often the most delicious. And pretty. And in a perfect world, even good for you. Plus — bonus! — fast and easy to make. This simple grilled asparagus recipe is all of those things. And if you find yourself outside of the bounds of a grill, this recipe works perfectly with steamed or roasted asparagus as well.
The asparagus won’t soak up all of the vinaigrette, so it’s a wonderful thing to serve it over a starch. Think about serving the asparagus over a bed of cooked grains, such as rice, quinoa, or millet, which will absorb the flavorful, tangy vinaigrette. Or think about a Quinoa Salad.
And make sure you have some lovely crusty bread at the table so once the asparagus is gone (or at least once you can see the bottom of the serving platter), your guests can grab little hunks of bread and swipe up some of this oh-so-tasting dressing. Asparagus with vinaigrette is a perfect side for Grilled Marinated NY Strip Steak, Grilled Salmon, or Grilled Chicken Breasts.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Olive oil – For grilling and also as a base for the vinaigrette.
- White wine vinegar – Feel free to use the vinegar of your choice here.
- Honey – For a balanced sweetness.
- Dijon mustard – For a tangy spiciness.
- Red pepper flakes – Adds a touch of heat.
- Orange zest – For a bright pop of flavor.
- Asparagus – Make sure to trim off the woody ends; they are very tough and not enjoyable to eat. Peel any thick skin from the bottoms of the stalks as well.
Do you know what I wish I had added to this? A sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest. Next time.
How to Make Grilled Asparagus with Vinaigrette
- Prepare the asparagus: Toss the asparagus with olive oil. Transfer to the grill with the spears facing perpendicular to the grates. Use tongs to turn them until they are cooked to your liking.
- Make the vinaigrette: Combine 2 tablespoons of the oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Compose: Transfer them to a serving platter and drizzle over the vinaigrette and orange zest. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Other Ways to Cook Asparagus with Vinaigrette
Instead of grilling the asparagus, you can roast it. Or you can “grill” the asparagus in a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat. The cooking times should be the same as for grilling over live fire (see instructions below). You could also steam or boil the asparagus. Any way you cook it, just make sure you drizzle over the vinaigrette while the asparagus is still warm so they soak up some of the dressing as the stalks cool.
Roast the asparagus for 8 to 10 minutes for thin stalks and 10 to 14 for thick ones. If they overlap a lot, just move them around a bit halfway through the cooking time so they all have a chance to brown a bit.
Make Ahead Grilled Asparagus
You can make the vinaigrette a couple of days ahead of time and store it in the fridge. And because this is good warm or at room temperature, you can make the whole thing a few hours ahead, and the vinaigrette will then soak a bit more into the asparagus.
What to Serve With Grilled Asparagus and Vinaigrette
More Asparagus Recipes
- Roasted Asparagus with Pesto Crème Fraiche
- Simple Roasted Asparagus with Shallots and Parmesan
- Asparagus with Herb Dipping Sauce
- Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Butter Sauce
Also Read: How to Roast Asparagus
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Grilled Asparagus with Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- Finely grated orange zest (for garnish; optional)
- 2 pounds asparagus (trimmed)
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- On a sheet pan, toss the asparagus with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Transfer to the grill with the spears facing perpendicular to the grates. Use tongs to turn them as they get grill marks on the bottom, until they are cooked to your liking, anywhere from 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus and 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 them to a serving platter and drizzle over the vinaigrette and orange zest. Serve warm or at room temperature.
