If you’re looking for a salty and savory side dish that’s ready in minutes and suitable for the whole family, you’ll adore these smoked bacon wrapped asparagus stalks.

Best of all, you can prepare your bacon wrapped asparagus spears in advance and pop them on the Traeger to smoke right before dinner! Talk about making your week easier.

These delicious and tender asparagus spears are packed full of vitamin C and antioxidants, which almost make up for the delicious bacon on the health front!

I love serving these stalks with Traeger smoked beef back ribs, but you can easily serve them with air fryer tuna steaks for a surf and turf vibe! Whatever you eat them with, they’re bound to improve your recipe binder in a flash.

Whether you’re looking to add a hint of salt and crunchiness to your next dinner party or need a last-minute addition to a weeknight dinner, I’ve got you covered. Seriously, you’ll be pulling out this simple recipe for months to come (yup, you’ll even be keeping this one in your back pocket for the holiday season!).

💪 Why This Recipe Works

• It’s made with crispy bacon for an indulgent bite.
  
• The asparagus comes out perfectly tender every time (but also has a delightful crunch).
  
• It requires just a handful of ingredients, making it an ideal side dish for beginner grillers.
  
• It’s suitable for paleo, gluten-free, keto, and carnivore diets.
  
• You can prep the stalks ahead of time to easily throw them on the grill for guests when it is time to eat (more time for schmoozing!).

🍽 Ingredients

• Asparagus. The star of the show! Choose bright green spears that look smooth and feel firm. It’s a good idea to pick up medium or thick stalks as these are more likely to hold the wrapped bacon. Oh, and make sure they’re trimmed at the base!
  
• Olive oil. I like using virgin olive oil for a mild flavor and a hit of healthy fat. However, if you don’t have it on hand, avocado oil works well, as it has a high smoke point and can withstand the heat of the Traeger.
  
• Salt. Don’t use too much salt since the bacon has plenty of sodium. So, just a sprinkle will do!
  
• Pepper. Adds a hint of spice to your asparagus.
  
• Seasoning rub (optional). You don’t need to use a seasoning blend, but I love throwing on Greek Freak, Black and Bleu, Rosemary Dijon, or Pizza Pie blends for greater depth of flavor.
  
• Thinly sliced bacon. I like using center-cut bacon as it wraps nicely and is probably the most aesthetic option (thanks to those glorious fatty bits!). But realistically, any thin-cut bacon that crisps up well and won’t go soggy under the grill will work perfectly.

👨‍🍳 How To Make It

1. Preheat the Traeger.
   
2. Drizzle your washed asparagus with olive oil and toss it to coat.
   
3. Sprinkle the seasonings, salt, and pepper on the asparagus.
   
4. Wrap the asparagus in bacon.
   
5. Place the asparagus spears directly on the grill and close the lid.
   
6. Smoke the spears until the bacon is crispy. The time you need will depend on the thickness of your bacon and asparagus spears.
   
7. Optional: brush the bacon with BBQ sauce, sprinkle on some brown sugar, or drizzle them with honey. The options for putting your spin on it are limitless!

😉 Tips For Success

• If you’re looking for something slightly different, you can sprinkle your asparagus with a small amount of brown sugar for a lightly caramelized finish. Honey works well too! Or brush the bacon with BBQ sauce and let it caramelize on the Traeger.
  
• I recommend using medium-sized stalks for this recipe, but if you can only find small ones, it’s a great idea to wrap them into bundles. Three or four stalks wrapped together with a single strip of bacon should keep things together nicely.
  
• Always trim the ends of the asparagus and wash the stalks before cooking. This removes the woody ends (which aren’t pleasant as they’re stringy and difficult to chew!) and gets rid of any grit before the wrapping process.
  
• Don’t be afraid to flip the asparagus spears halfway through if you want to ensure an even cook.
  
• Make sure you don’t overdo the oil. The bacon is loaded with fat, and things can quickly get greasy. A splash of oil to coat the spears (and get the bacon to stick!) is more than enough.
  
• Try to avoid overlapping your bacon strips if you can. You’ll want amazing crispiness to your bacon, and overlapping the strips might cause it to go limp and soggy. Leave plenty of space as you’re wrapping to let air get to the spears and give you that perfect crunchy result.
  
• Watch your spears carefully. The cook time on these bad boys is minimal, so you’ll want to keep an eye on your bacon to prevent it from burning.

❓ FAQ

🎁 Wrap Up

Whether you’re on the hunt for an indulgent keto side dish or want to jazz up your holiday table, this smoked bacon wrapped asparagus recipe has got your back. Just try and prepare more than you think you’ll need, as these tender stalks will be snatched up in no time!

 🛠 Tools and Equipment

If you click on some of the following affiliate links and buy something, we might get a small commission. You don’t pay any extra, but it will help us keep the lights on and our bellies full!

• Traeger Timberline 1300 and these Traeger Signature Blend pellets
  
• John Boos butcher block
  
• OXO silicone tongs and BBQ basting brush

🤤 Check Out These Recipes

• These smoked shotgun shells are a killer appetizer for game day, board game night, or any other function that needs a tasty treat!
  
• When it comes to delicious sandwiches, there is no match to a traditional Philly cheesesteak sandwich on the Blackstone. The meat is tender, and the cheese is, well, cheesy!
  
• Pair this smoked bacon wrapped asparagus with this delicious Traeger smoked spatchcock turkey. It cooks quickly and evenly so that you never end up with the dreaded dry turkey.

💬 Tell Me What You Think!

Did you try out this recipe? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it. Also, snap a picture and post it to your favorite social platform. Be sure to tag me at @alicensetogrill and let me know how you liked it!

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