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A close-up view of vibrant green Parmesan grilled asparagus in a foil packet, topped with melted cheese and fresh parsley.
Reda

Parmesan Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest

This simple yet elegant recipe transforms fresh asparagus into a tender-crisp delight, perfectly grilled and coated with savory Parmesan cheese and bright lemon zest. It's a healthy and flavorful side dish that comes together quickly.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Fresh asparagus thin to medium spears, tough ends trimmed
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1 tsp Lemon zest

Equipment

  • Grill (outdoor or indoor grill pan)
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Tongs
  • Zester or fine grater

Method
 

Prepare the Asparagus
  1. Wash the asparagus thoroughly. Snap or cut off the tough, woody ends of each spear (typically the bottom 1-2 inches). In a large mixing bowl, combine the trimmed asparagus with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss until the asparagus spears are evenly coated.
Grill the Asparagus
  1. Preheat your outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F / 200°C). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent the asparagus from sticking.
  2. Arrange the seasoned asparagus spears in a single layer on the hot grill. Grill for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs, until they are tender-crisp and have developed appealing char marks. Thinner spears will cook faster, while thicker ones may take a bit longer.
Finish and Serve
  1. Carefully remove the grilled asparagus from the grill and transfer it immediately back to the mixing bowl or a warm serving platter.
  2. Immediately sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh lemon zest over the hot asparagus. Toss gently to combine, allowing the cheese to melt slightly and coat the spears from the residual heat.
  3. Serve the Parmesan grilled asparagus immediately as a vibrant and flavorful side dish.

Notes

For best results, choose asparagus spears that are firm and bright green with tightly closed tips. If you don't have a grill, you can roast the asparagus: toss with oil and seasonings, then roast at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Add Parmesan and lemon zest immediately after removing from the oven.