These bacon wrapped asparagus bundles are an easy yet elegant side dish that’s sure to garner rave reviews! The asparagus stalks are wrapped in bacon, coated in a brown sugar glaze and roasted to perfection.
Asparagus is delicious on its own, but when you add bacon to the mix you’ve got a culinary combination that’s totally irresistible! These little bundles are some of my family’s favorite veggie side dish recipes along with sauteed mushrooms and onions and mustard greens.
Asparagus is all over the stores right now and we can’t get enough of it! Two of my three kids will happily eat it, which means it’s on the dinner table at least once a week. This bacon wrapped asparagus is our absolute favorite, who can resist the added allure of bacon? Not me! These asparagus bundles are so good that sometimes I serve them as a main course or appetizer instead of a side dish.
This asparagus recipe makes for an elegant side dish for the holidays. Pair it with main dishes like honey glazed ham, dry brined turkey and spiral ham with brown sugar glaze.
Table of Contents
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need fresh asparagus spears, bacon strips, butter, garlic powder, brown sugar, black pepper and fresh parsley.
How Do You Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus?
Wash your asparagus stalks, then snap off the woody ends. Divide the asparagus into 4 bundles, then tightly wrap a slice of bacon around each one. Place the butter, garlic powder, brown sugar and pepper in a bowl and whisk. Drizzle the butter mixture over the asparagus bunches. Transfer the bundles, seam side down, to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the bacon is crispy and asparagus is tender. Add a sprinkle of parsley if you like, then serve and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
- I find that thicker asparagus stalks work best here. If you use the thin ones, they may get mushy by the time the bacon cooks through.
- This recipe works best with regular cut bacon; thick cut bacon takes a lot longer to get crisp, and you run the risk of your asparagus overcooking. Another option is to par-cook the bacon, then wrap the asparagus.
- You can assemble the bundles up to 8 hours before you plan to put them in the oven.
- Leftovers will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- I prefer the flavor of butter in this recipe, but olive oil will also work if that’s have you have on hand.
- Omit the brown sugar if you’re looking for a low carb dish.
- This recipe can also be prepared on the grill. Simply prepare the bundles as the recipe calls for, then grill over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side or until the bacon is crispy and asparagus is tender.
- You could also make this recipe using other cooking methods such as in an air fryer or on the stove. Air fry your bundles at 400 degrees F for 12-14 minutes. You can cook the bacon wrapped asparagus on the stove over medium heat for 5-6 minutes per side.
Quick Tip
Fresh asparagus works best in this recipe. Frozen asparagus is already cooked and will have too soft of a texture.
Recipe FAQs
Bacon wrapped asparagus cooks at 400 degrees F, which is the perfect temperature to ensure that the bacon gets crispy and the asparagus roasts rather than steams.
Its important to watch your cook time so that your asparagus doesn’t get overly soft. I find it takes about 15-20 minutes to get that perfection combination of crisp bacon and tender asparagus.
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Bacon Asparagus Flavor Variations
This recipe is great as-is, but you can easily customize the ingredients to suit your tastes.
- Bacon: Instead of bacon, try prosciutto or pancetta for a different flavor. You can also use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon.
- Vegetables: You can swap out the asparagus for thin cut carrot sticks or green beans.
- Seasonings: Try using different spices and herbs in the butter mixture. Some great options include onion powder, Italian seasoning, garlic salt or paprika. You can also add a little parmesan cheese.
- Sauce: Serve your bundles with a dipping sauce such as homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing. They’re also great with a little balsamic glaze drizzled on top.
If you’re an asparagus fan, you MUST try this recipe. I love it so much that I can make a whole meal out of it! This is a great side dish for a special occasion because the bundles look so elegant even though they’re quite simple to make.
More Great Asparagus Recipes
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
15 mins
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
30 mins
Chicken Madeira
55 mins
Chicken Primavera
30 mins
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb thick asparagus stalks trimmed
- 4 slices bacon do not use thick cut
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Divide the asparagus stalks into 4 bundles. Tightly wrap one slice of bacon around each bundle.
- In a small bowl mix together the butter, garlic powder, brown sugar and pepper.
- Arrange the asparagus bundles on a baking sheet and drizzle the butter mixture over the top.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is crispy. Serve, sprinkled with parsley if desired.
Notes
- I find that thicker asparagus stalks work best here. If you use the thin ones, they may get mushy by the time the bacon cooks through.
- This recipe works best with regular cut bacon; thick cut bacon takes a lot longer to cook and you run the risk of your asparagus overcooking. Another option is to par-cook the bacon, then wrap the asparagus.
Just lovely! Served these when my sister-in-law with her family came to visit over the weekend and was really impressed. So simple, just a few ingredients and tastes amazing! I’ll try your prosciutto wrapped asparagus next!
Two of my favorite things! Loved this!
This side dish is so good!! I’m definitely taking this to my family’s for the holidays since it so easy to make!
This was such an easy side dish but looked so elegant!! We served it alongside a bigger spread when we had some friends over for dinner this weekend and it worked out great!
What a tasty way to prepare asparagus. We loved the crispy bacon. So good!
The best bacon wrap asparagus recipe out there. I also make this without the bacon , and it’s still so flavorful and delicious.
Amazing flavours it’s a great pair for almost all of my smoked meat it’s simple to make but tastes like it would be harder to make then it is
OMG, all these flavors were so good! Loved this recipe!
Totally awesome if my OPINIONS count
Thanks a zillion
My kids will never eat asparagus! I tried this recipe and they loved it! Bacon makes everything so good
Loved the butter, garlic, brown sugar! I will make this again!
This was my first time attempting bacon wrapped asparagus and it was a delicious success. Served at a family dinner hosted at my house and it was the family favorite. I’ve shared the recipe with several and have already been asked to bring to our next gathering and to double the recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Covered bunches of asparagus top to bottom, cooked at 410 degrees for 25 min. Enjoyed very much!!!
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, thank you for commenting!
Sounds wonderful. Can you get it ready for oven ahead of time?
Absolutely, up to 6 hours before you plan to bake it!
Wow, this is such a mouthwatering recipe. Been trying to check for recipes like this and glad I was able to find this one. The pictures Re very inviting! I wish I could taste it very very soon.