Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
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Oven-roasted bacon-wrapped asparagus is the perfect low carb, Keto and Whole30 appetizer or side dish. Made with just four ingredients, this recipe is deceivingly simple and versatile! Make it for holidays or weeknight dinners alike.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
I’ve been sharing the recipe for these bacon wrapped asparagus bundles on my Instagram page since way back in 2015, and it has never gotten old for me! They’ve been a family favorite for so many years, I sometimes forget how excited we were when we first discovered how easy they were to make! And once we started, we never stopped!
I make bacon wrapped asparagus both for holiday dinners and on busy weeknights! Best of all, they’re also Whole30, Paleo, and Keto friendly. We love this recipe so much we call them “Bundles of Joy!” Asparagus is so underrated too — when cooked correctly, it’s so tasty! We love it on these Asian Steak & Asparagus Kebabs.
When I make them for dinner parties or guests, people go a little berserk over them. They do that when I make my Pork Belly Potato Stacks, too! Why, you ask? Because crispy, salty pork is the perfect way to make vegetables exciting.
This easy asparagus dish has so much flavor, thanks to smoky bacon and an oven roasted cooking method. Each bundle of asparagus is a crowd pleaser! You can pair this simple side dish with your favorite main dishes for a quick meal. Never have boring veggies again!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Even if you’re not an asparagus fan, I bet you’ll enjoy this tasty recipe:
- It only takes 15 minutes to make bacon wrapped asparagus. That includes prep time and cook time!
- This delicious side dish is Whole30, Keto, and can be paleo if you choose certain types of bacon. It’s a great dish to serve when you need to accommodate different dietary restrictions.
- Make this recipe with just four simple ingredients. No long grocery list needed — just a few things, some of which you may already have on hand!
Ingredients
Here’s a list of the ingredients and tools you need to make the recipe!
- sugar free bacon
- asparagus
- olive oil
- black pepper
- toothpicks
Variations and Substitutions
For a sweet version of this easy side dish, drizzle 1 tablespoon of maple syrup over the cooked bacon wrapped asparagus. Just keep in mind that this would not be a Whole30 or Keto variation.
Make a balsamic glaze for these asparagus by drizzling 1 tablespoon of balsamic reduction over the plated dish.
After the bundles are plated, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of crumbled goat cheese on top. This is so, so good, but it’s important to note that it is not Whole30.
If you’re not worried about sticking to Whole30 or Keto, you can use bacon that isn’t sugar free. And if you’d like to save on some calorie and fat content, you can use turkey bacon!
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
With just five minutes of prep, you can have these on the dinner table in no time. Here’s how to make bacon wrapped asparagus:
Trim the woody stems off the bottom 2 inches of the asparagus, then separate the asparagus into four equal bundles.
Wrap each bundle with a strip of bacon, overlapping as little as possible. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick if needed!
Lay the bundles on a slotted pan or use a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet, and cover the baking sheet with parchment. This lets the fat drip away from the bacon as it cooks and renders off and makes for super easy cleanup!
Drizzle or spray the bundles lightly with olive oil. This is mostly for the asparagus, so you can focus on the exposed areas of the asparagus. Sprinkle with a little black pepper and bake!
Once the asparagus is tender, it’s ready to go. Serve and enjoy!
How to Store Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Bacon wrapped asparagus is best fresh, but you can still store leftovers!
- Simply allow the leftovers to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container or plastic bag. Store in the fridge for about 2 days.
- To freeze, place the bundles on a baking sheet and into the freezer for a few hours. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Store for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating. For best results, reheat in the oven until warmed through.
What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
The real question is, what can’t you serve with this easy side dish? This veggie side pairs well with just about anything. We like to serve it alongside bruschetta chicken, air fryer grilled chicken, and air fryer filet mignon.
It’s also the perfect side for meals like brown sugar pork chops or air fryer turkey meatballs. When it’s grilling season, pair these with some tasty grilled pork chops!
Tips for Success
Check out these few tips to make that asparagus as yummy as can be:
- Be sure to wrap the asparagus bundles tightly with the bacon and secure with the toothpicks. This will ensure that all of the asparagus stalks get that nice, bacony flavor.
- Don’t use super thick asparagus for this recipe. Asparagus spears around medium thickness will help avoid undercooking and overcooking!
- Thick cut bacon works best in this recipe. The pieces of bacon are more sturdy and will hold up to being tightly wrapped around the veggies.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, oh my goodness, yes! Grill over medium heat for 4-6 minutes, turning occasionally. The thinner cut the bacon, the better (read: crispier) it will turn out when you use this method!
Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Arrange the bundles with room between them and cook for 10-12 minutes. For more detailed tips, check out my recipe for air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus.
Yes! If you’re not an asparagus person, substitute haricot vert or even thin green beans – they work perfectly!
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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb. asparagus or 1 large bunch
- 4-6 slices sugar-free bacon thin sliced or regular
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F.
- Meanwhile, wash and pat dry the asparagus, and trim off any woody stems at the bottom. Separate the asparagus into four equal sized bunches.
- Wrap each bundle with a strip of bacon, overlapping the bacon as little as possible. This will prevent undercooked parts of the bacon and allow as much fat to render as possible. Use a toothpick if necessary on the underside of each bunch to help hold the bacon together.
- Lay each bundle on a slotted pan or use a cooling rack on top of a parchment-lined baking sheet (this will allow the fat to drip away from the bacon as it renders).
- Drizzle or spray with olive oil and sprinkle a bit of black pepper on top. Place in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the bacon is cooked well and the asparagus is crispy.
Notes
- Maple syrup: Drizzle 1 tablespoons of maple syrup over the plated dish. This would NOT be a Whole30 or Keto variation.
- Balsamic reduction: Drizzle 1 tablespoon of balsamic reduction over the plated dish.
- Goat cheese. After the bundles are plated, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of crumbled goat cheese on top. This is so, so good, but NOT Whole30.
