Flavorful Smoked Asparagus

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Packed with Flavor: The combination of lemon, garlic, and smoked butter gives this asparagus a zesty flavour that’s hard to resist.
Foolproof: This recipe is surprisingly simple and virtually impossible to mess up which makes it perfect for just about anyone, even beginners!
Crowd Pleaser: Not only is this smoked asparagus recipe delicious, but it’s also a real showstopper. The smoky, tangy flavours are sure to impress your guests! Trust me, you’ll want to serve this for your next dinner party. 

Smoked Asparagus Recipe Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Asparagus: The star of this smoked vegetable recipe, asparagus brings a unique, earthy flavor to the dish. You can use green, white or purple varieties, but I recommend medium to thick spears to guarantee that they don’t soften too quickly on the smoker.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This ingredient helps to coat the asparagus, allowing the other flavors to adhere to the vegetable. It also aids in the cooking process, ensuring the asparagus doesn’t dry out on the smoker.
Lemon Pepper: It adds a zesty twist to the asparagus, complimenting the earthy tones of the vegetable with a citrusy kick.
Lemons: The juice of lemons adds a fresh, tangy flavor to the asparagus, balancing the smoky and salty elements of the dish.
Salted Butter: Butter adds a rich, creamy element to the dish, helping to mellow out the strong flavors and adding a smooth texture to the asparagus.
Garlic Paste: A handy ingredient, garlic paste infuses the asparagus with a robust, aromatic flavor. Be sure to check the packaging before buying, as some brands include sugar. Look for pure garlic and oil as the only ingredients for the best flavor.

How to Make Smoked Asparagus

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Prepare the asparagus: Trim the ends off the asparagus and discard. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and lemon pepper.
Prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, butter, and garlic paste.
Smoke the asparagus and sauce: Place the asparagus and saucepan in a preheated smoker at 200 degrees F for 1 hour.
Baste with smoked butter: Halfway through, brush the asparagus with the smoked butter from the saucepan.
Serve: Remove the asparagus from the smoker, plate, and pour the remaining butter over the top.

Substitutions and Variations

Spice it up: Swap the lemon pepper for black pepper or a pinch of chili flakes if you prefer a bit of heat.
Butter: For a dairy-free version, replace the salt and butter with a gluten-free, dairy-free butter substitute or use a drizzle of olive oil instead.
Garlic: If you don’t have garlic paste, you can use fresh minced garlic or garlic powder.
Optional additions: For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or a handful of toasted almonds.

Serving Suggestions

Main Course: This smoked asparagus side dish pairs with anything from fish to chicken, steak or pork. Try it alongside some delicious grilled pepper and chicken kebabs, apple cider grilled chicken skewers, Traeger pork chops, or this butter-herbed shrimp and juicy seared pork chops.
Salad: For a lighter option, consider adding smoked asparagus to a fresh salad. The smoky asparagus adds a unique twist to a classic chicken Caesar salad or Greek salad.
Breakfast: Asparagus is also great along with some hearty eggs in the morning or for your next Sunday brunch. They’re great on the side of these sheet pan eggs benedict.

How to Store Smoked Asparagus

Store: Smoked asparagus is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, place them in an airtight sealed container and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Unfortunately, freezing smoked asparagus isn’t recommended. The freezing process can cause the asparagus to become mushy and lose its appealing texture when thawing.
Reheat: To reheat your smoked asparagus, simply pop them in the microwave for a quick warm-up, or place them in a preheated oven until they’re heated through. Enjoy this delicious gluten-free treat all over again!

Top Tips 

Preheat Your Smoker: Before you start this pellet grill asparagus, make sure to preheat your smoker with the lid closed for 15 minutes at 200 degrees F. This guarantees that your asparagus will cook evenly and absorb all the smoky flavor.
Trim Your Asparagus: Don’t forget to trim the pale end off of the asparagus and discard. This part is usually tough and fibrous, and removing it will make your side dish more enjoyable to eat. Also, I suggest you check out how to cook asparagus for details on prepping and cleaning.
Smoke with Butter: Combine lemon juice, butter, and garlic paste in a small saucepan and place it in the smoker with the asparagus. Halfway through, brush the asparagus with this smoked butter. This will give your asparagus a rich, smoky, and buttery flavor.