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    Home » Mediterranean recipes

    Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Tahini Sauce

    Published: May 20, 2022 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    12 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Grilled asparagus - ready in just 15 minutes - is an ideal side dish for your summer grilling. Crisp on the outside with a smokey flavor, this tasty recipe is an easy way to add healthy veggies to your barbeque spread.

    Close up shot of a plate of grilled asparagus.

    We love grilling! When the weather is warm enough, you can always find me on the back porch grilling something. From juicy spatchcock chicken and beef shish kabob to shrimp kabob and zaatar chicken, we love that smoky flavor of the grill! Today's grilled asparagus recipe is a quick 15-minute side dish that's healthy and so delicious.

    Table Of Contents:
    • Asparagus doesn't have to be boring!
    • Tips for making the best grilled asparagus
    • Why is asparagus good for you?
    • How to make grilled asparagus
    • Variations and ideas
    • Serving suggestions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More grill side dishes
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    Asparagus doesn't have to be boring!

    Asparagus is a humble vegetable with subtle flavor but, if it's prepared properly, it tastes wonderful and delivers a great texture since it's crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.

    You need just a few ingredients to elevate plain asparagus to a tasty side dish. We love serving our asparagus with a tasty lemon tahini sauce that's so easy to make.

    Asparagus coated with olive oil in a pan.

    Tips for making the best grilled asparagus

    • Choose fresh: Fresh asparagus is firm and the tips are brightly closed. The color of asparagus is not constant, however fresh asparagus always looks bright and rich in color and not faded.
    • Trim the ends: The woody end of the asparagus snaps naturally. Be sure to remove that part for best flavor and texture.
    • Don't overcook: The key to tasty asparagus is to grill it just enough for it to be cooked. Overcooking it might result in chewy and stringy texture.

    Why is asparagus good for you?

    • Asparagus has essential vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and potassium.
    • It's a good source of fiber which improves digestive health.
    • Research has found that asparagus can lower blood pressure.

    How to make grilled asparagus

    1. Preheat the grill (gas or charcoal) to medium/medium-high.
    2. Remove the woody ends of the asparagus and place them in a pan. Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper. Make sure all asparagus is coated with olive oil.
    3. While the grill is heating, make the lemon tahini sauce by mixing tahini, yogurt, lemon zest and juice, salt, minced garlic and just a bit of water to thin it out.
    4. Place the asparagus on a grill pan with holes or directly on the grates. Close the lid and grill for 5 minutes, then flip the asparagus and grill for another 5 minutes until they are cooked but crisp.
    5. Plate the asparagus and top with lemon tahini sauce.
    Season the asparagus with salt and pepper then grill and top with tahini yogurt sauce.

    Variations and ideas

    There are different ways to serve grilled asparagus. Here are a few of my favorites:

    • Give it a garlicky twist by dipping it in toum (Lebanese garlic sauce).
    • Top them with some freshly grated parmesan and chopped basil.
    • Drizzle with some balsamic glaze for a lot of flavor.
    • Top with vegetables such as tomatoes and red onions.
    • Serve with some dijon mustard to dip the asparagus in.
    • Go simple and top with some freshly squeezed lemon juice!

    Serving suggestions

    I love serving this as a side dish with our summer barbecue dishes such as grilled wings, grilled steak, shish tawook, grilled shrimp skewers, or salmon kabob. It's such an easy side dish to make and goes well with almost any protein.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why is my grilled asparagus soggy?

    If the asparagus has turned soggy and not crisp, it could be for a couple of reasons. First, the asparagus wasn't fresh to begin with and second, it's been overcooked. Keep an eye on it while grilling and remove it as soon as it's cooked which usually takes about 10 minutes.

    Should I blanch asparagus before grilling?

    You don't need to blanch fresh asparagus before grilling since it cooks very fast on the grill.

    How long should I grill the asparagus for?

    It depends on the variety of asparagus, the type of grill and its heat. However, it generally takes about 10 minutes to grill asparagus on medium-high heat, flipping once.

    What to do with the leftovers?

    It's best to serve and eat grilled asparagus fresh out of the grill for the best texture and flavor. However, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them on a pan over medium heat, stir a few times so they heat evenly. You can use them in salads or with eggs for breakfast.

    More grill side dishes

    • Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (10 minutes!)
    • Veggie Shish Kabob with Garlic and Thyme [Video]
    • Toum Recipe - Lebanese Garlic Sauce
    • Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Tahini Sauce

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Grilled asparagus - ready in just 15 minutes - is an ideal side dish for your summer grilling. Crisp on the outside with a smokey flavor, this tasty recipe is an easy way to add healthy veggies to your barbeque spread.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 169 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb asparagus
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • â…› tsp black pepper

    Lemon Tahini Sauce

    • 2 tablespoon tahini
    • ½ cup plain yogurt
    • 1 lemon zest and juice
    • ÂĽ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 clove garlic grated
    • 1 tablespoon water

    Garnish

    • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
    • ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the grill to medium/medium-high.
    • Trim the woody ends of the asparagus, it naturally breaks or you can use a knife. place them on a baking sheet and drizzle the olive oil. Add salt and pepper. Using your hands, coat the asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper.
    • Make the lemon tahini sauce by mixing the tahini with yogurt, lemon zest and juice, salt and garlic. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time if you need to thin out the sauce.
    • Place the asparagus on the grill. I used a grilling pan with holes for better handling. Close the lid and let it grill for 5 minutes. Give it a good stir and grill for another 5 minutes until they are crisp and cooked. Transfer them to a serving platter.
    • Drizzle the lemon tahini sauce over the asparagus, top with Aleppo pepper and sesame seeds if desired and serve warm.

    Video

    Notes

    • Serving suggestions: Serve with grilled spatchcock chicken, Greek grilled chicken, grilled steak or beef shish kabobs.
    • It's best to serve and eat grilled asparagus fresh out of the grill for the best texture and flavor. However, you can store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them on a pan over medium heat, stir a few times so they heat evenly. You can use them in salads or with eggs for breakfast.
    • Make sure to use fresh asparagus that's bright in color and feels firm. Canned asparagus will not work for this recipe. 
    • For a dairy-free version, use plain dairy-free yogurt.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 6gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 460mgPotassium: 366mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 973IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

    « Turkish Sumac Onions Recipe (10 minutes!)
    How To Make a Seven Spice Blend »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. wilhelmina

      June 13, 2022 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy and easy to make, this is the perfect summer side dish!

      Reply
    2. Nellie Tracy

      June 13, 2022 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      This is a great recipe for asparagus and for Tahini sauce. LOVE it, perfect for summer!

      Reply

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