Get ready to ignite your grill and treat your taste buds to the goodness of smoked asparagus. This easy smoked asparagus recipe will have you savoring each tender stalk, infused with the aromas of your favorite wood chips and a zesty kiss of hot honey.
The combination of smoking at a low temperature and the use of hot honey creates a balance of deep, smoky flavors and a sweet-spicy finish that elevates this simple vegetable into a gourmet treat.
Using a pellet smoker ensures an even smoke infusion, while garlic and chipotle add depth without overpowering the asparagus. Round out dinner with our Smoked Chicken Thighs and Smoked Baked Potatoes and you have one delicious smoked dinner.
Ingredients
- Fresh Asparagus: Snapped or with the bottom 1" cut off.
- Olive Oil: Or elevate it with smoked garlic oil (recipe available on our blog).
- Garlic Cloves: Sliced or minced.
- Chipotle Powder: For an extra smoky & slightly spicy pop.
- Garlic Powder: For even flavor & aromatic depth.
- Kosher Salt: A sprinkle for seasoning.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For that peppery edge.
- Hot Honey: For a sweet and fiery drizzle.
- Optional Garnish: Parmesan cheese, for a nutty, salty finish.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your smoker to a medium heat of around 225°F. We prefer using a hickory blend for our pellet smoker.
Step 2: Give the fresh asparagus a good bath in cold water and cut the bottoms removing 1-2". A simple snap at the bottom of the stalks also does the trick – they'll naturally break where the tender part ends and the tough woody part begins.
Step 3: Lay the asparagus in a single layer on parchment, a heavy-duty aluminum foil, or a grill tray if you have one. Drizzle with a little olive oil and then rub the asparagus stalks with love to coat them evenly. Sprinkle the spears with sliced or minced garlic, chipotle, a heavy sprinkle of kosher salt, and black pepper to taste. For an extra flavor pop, a light dusting of garlic powder too.
Step 4: Smoke the asparagus for 1 hour or until fork tender. For thicker asparagus, cooking time may need to be increased by an additional 30 minutes.
Step 5: Finish your smoked asparagus with a drizzle of hot honey and enjoy!
Substitutions
No Smoker? No Problem!: Use an air fryer, oven, or gas grill as an alternative. Adjust the cooking time and temperature for great results. (Oven: 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes)
Chipotle: Swap out for Paprika, but note you will lose the extra pop of spice. Adding a ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flake can keep things spicy.
Hot Honey Substitute: Mix honey with cayenne pepper for a homemade sweet heat.
Oil Alternatives: Use high-heat oils like avocado or sesame for a different flavor profile.
Each ingredient is just the beginning—feel free to tweak and make the recipe your own!
Equipment
- Pellet Smoker: The heart of the operation, imparting that irresistible smoky flavor to your asparagus. We adore how it infuses each spear with a rich, deep taste that's impossible to replicate in a regular oven or grill.
- Parchment Paper Sheets: These are the unsung heroes of the kitchen. Preventing sticking and burning. Look for pre-cut sheets to save prep time and fit perfectly on your smoker's tray.
Storage
Leftover smoked asparagus? It's rare, but it happens. Store any leftover spears in an airtight container in the fridge. They make a great addition to salads, pasta dishes, or can be enjoyed on their own as a cold snack – the smoky flavor holds up beautifully.
Top Tip
Snapping vs. Cutting Asparagus Stalks: Rather than snapping each stalk individually, snap one and use it as a guide to trim the rest with a knife. It’s a real-time-saver and ensures uniformly sized spears that will cook evenly.
Thick vs. Thin Asparagus: Thicker asparagus spears are meatier and take longer to cook, making them perfect for smoking as they absorb more flavor without becoming too soft.
Expect a cooking time of about 1 hour at 250°F. Thin asparagus, on the other hand, cooks much faster—usually in 30-45 minutes—so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. Adjust your smoking time based on the thickness of the spears to achieve the perfect tender-crisp texture.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with our Smoked Asparagus:
📖 Recipe
Easy Smoked Asparagus with Garlic & Hot Honey
Equipment
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 1 Bunch Asparagus Spears
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Fresh Garlic - sliced thin
- ¼ teaspoon Chiptole
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Hot Honey
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to a medium heat of around 225°F. We prefer using a hickory blend for our pellet smoker.
- Wash the asparagus under cold water and cut the bottoms removing 1-2". A simple snap at the bottom of the stalks also does the trick – they'll naturally break where the tender part ends and the tough woody part begins.
- Lay the asparagus in a single layer on parchment. Drizzle with a little olive oil and then rub the asparagus stalks with love to coat them evenly. Season with sliced or minced garlic, chipotle, a heavy sprinkle of kosher salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Smoke the asparagus for 1 hour or until fork tender. For thicker asparagus, cooking time may need to be increased by an additional 30 minutes.
Tabetha Klein says
One of my husbands go-to recipes when we are BBQ'in