Easy 5 Minute Lemon Feta Grilled Asparagus Recipe

Easy 5 Minute Lemon Feta Grilled Asparagus Recipe

Lemon Grilled Asparagus with Feta is a vibrant, flavorful side dish that’s both refreshing and savory! Fresh asparagus spears are perfectly grilled with a zesty lemon dressing, creating a smoky char. Topped with crumbled feta cheese, this dish adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the bright, crisp asparagus.

This easy 5 minute grilled (or broiled) asparagus recipe has a short ingredient list and even shorter cook time, but it’s our kids’ favorite side dish!

Recipe Origins

Remember how I used to be picky? Well, immediately after we had our first daughter we moved to California. California is beautiful, amazing weather (we lived in San Diego) and they have awesome produce. Which is great, unless you’re me and you don’t really care for all of those weird vegetables. Remember, this is the old me, the new me will devour veggies faster than anything else. Anyway, we had dinner at my sister in law’s house and I was informed she was making a really easy grilled lemon pepper asparagus recipe…

Dun, dun, duuuuuuuuun! How in the heck was I going to get out of this one?! We were all going to be eating dinner together in the backyard for heaven’s sake!!!! Wait, there was a dog. I for sure could slip one to the dog. Nope, I already was feeling sneaky and knew I couldn’t pretend to eat something and feed it to the dog without feeling horribly guilty. I was going to have to suck it up. And suck it up I did, and it was good. It was real good. And so began my veggie journey. That day I learned that grilled asparagus is phenomenal and since then I’ve converted my mother who always said asparagus was like a nasty weed growing by an old ditch. And now she even loves it. Booyah, baby!

Ingredients for Lemon Pepper Asparagus

You only need 6 ingredients to make this easy vegetable side dish! The olive oil helps the asparagus get a nice char on it and it also helps the seasonings cling to the asparagus. Here is everything you need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Lemon Zest and Juice
• Asparagus
• Salt and Black Pepper
• Feta Cheese
  • TIP: If you aren’t a feta fan, parmesan cheese makes a great substitute!

The measurements and details for all the ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Buy the Best Asparagus

Buying the best and freshest asparagus doesn’t need to be complicated. We have a few tips that will help you pick the best bundle of asparagus.

First, check the tips. They should be pretty firm to the touch and mushy at all.

Next, check the stalks. They should not be soft or rubbery at all.

Finally, check the ends. Even though we will be trimming the ends off, they are a good indicator of the freshness of the asparagus spears. You don’t want the ends to be woody, shriveled or split.

One more tip for buying asparagus, try to avoid bundles of really thick asparagus spears or really thin asparagus spears. Look for bundles that are all similarly sized medium spears.

How to Trim Asparagus

There are two methods for trimming asparagus. You can either do it by hand or by using a knife. Grab a piece of asparagus and bend and snap it near the white, woody end or line up all the spears and cut them with a sharp knife right where the asparagus changes from white to green.

How to Make Grilled Asparagus

We put this grilled vegetable recipe on repeat all summer long and it never gets old! It’s so quick and easy and the feta with lemon dressing elevates the flavor so much. Here’s how to make it:

1. Prep: Preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat or heat the oven to broil.
2. Make the Dressing: Combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the lemon juice and lemon zest and set it aside.
3. Toss the Asparagus: Drizzle the olive oil over the trimmed asparagus and sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss until coated.
4. Grill: Place the asparagus on the grill (or on a baking sheet in the oven to broil). Use tongs to turn the asparagus occasionally until grill marks appear and the spears are tender. It will take about 2-4 minutes.
   • TIP: Place the spears of asparagus perpendicular to the grill grates so that you don’t lose any asparagus in the BBQ. You could also grill the asparagus on top of foil or in a grill basket.
5. Finish the Dish: Remove the asparagus from the grill and toss with the lemon dressing and the feta cheese and season with a little more salt and pepper to taste.

Keep scrolling to the end of the post for the complete recipe card.

Can You Eat Asparagus Raw?

Most people prefer cooked asparagus. But, it is completely safe to eat asparagus raw.

You could combine raw asparagus with feta cheese, parmesan or radish. Also, you can add a spear or two of asparagus to your fresh green smoothie.

What to Eat with Grilled Asparagus

Since asparagus is in season in spring and summer here in Utah, we almost always have grilled asparagus as a side dish with some sort of grilled or smoked protein. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Sweet and Spicy Orange Salmon
• Grilled Flank Steak
• Smoked Ribs
• Honey Lemon Basil Grilled Chicken
• Smoked Beef Brisket

How to Store Leftover Grilled Asparagus

Storing leftover asparagus is simple. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days after it is cooked.

How to Reheat Asparagus

You can warm asparagus in the microwave or in the oven at 400 degrees. You cannot re-crisp asparagus but it is pretty good the next day. I often throw it in a pasta or salad so it isn’t standing alone.

Looking for a quick and delicious way to prepare asparagus? This 5 minute grilled asparagus recipe is the perfect solution! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have a flavorful and healthy side dish ready in no time.

More Vegetable Side Dishes:

• Tomato Cucumber Salad
• Green Beans and Potatoes
• Mexican Street Corn
• Air Fryer Smashed Broccoli
• Creamy Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Watch How to Make 5 Minute Grilled Lemon Feta Asparagus

READ: Easy 5 Minute Lemon Feta Grilled Asparagus Recipe