Crispy Beef Bacon Asparagus (Print View)

Tender asparagus wrapped in savory beef bacon, roasted crisp for a delicious appetizer or side.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed

→ Meats

02 - 8 slices beef bacon (approximately 7 ounces)

→ Seasonings

03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

→ Garnish

07 - 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
02 - Wash the asparagus and trim off the woody ends. Pat dry with a paper towel.
03 - Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil, then season with black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika if using. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Divide the asparagus into 8 equal bundles. Wrap each bundle with one slice of beef bacon, securing the ends underneath or with a toothpick if needed.
05 - Place the bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow airflow.
06 - Roast in the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the asparagus is tender and the beef bacon is crispy.
07 - Transfer bundles to a serving platter. Optionally, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and lemon zest before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-quality but takes less time than deciding what to cook for dinner.
  • The contrast between crispy bacon and tender asparagus feels fancy while tasting completely natural.
  • You can make it on a weeknight or scale it up for a crowd without changing a thing.
02 -
  • Pat the asparagus completely dry, or the bacon won't crisp properly and you'll end up with steamed vegetables wrapped in soggy meat.
  • Don't skip the step of arranging bundles seam-side down, because this keeps the bacon from unrolling and helps it brown evenly.
  • If your oven runs hot or cold, start checking around the 16-minute mark so you catch the exact moment when bacon turns crispy but the asparagus stays tender.
03 -
  • If you want extra crispiness and you have a few minutes, turn the broiler on for the last minute or two of cooking and watch carefully so the bacon doesn't burn.
  • Buy asparagus that's roughly the same thickness so everything cooks at the same rate and finishes at the same moment.

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