Garlic Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Printable)
Crispy bacon bundles with seasoned asparagus spears
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb fresh asparagus spears, woody ends trimmed
02 - 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
→ Meats
03 - 8 slices thin-cut bacon strips
→ Seasonings & Oils
04 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
05 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
02 - Rinse asparagus spears under cold water and pat dry. Snap or trim approximately 1 inch from the woody base of each spear.
03 - Combine asparagus, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Toss thoroughly until each spear is evenly coated.
04 - Divide seasoned asparagus into 8 equal bundles, each containing 3-4 spears of similar thickness for even cooking.
05 - Wrap one bacon slice spirally around each bundle, starting from the bottom and working upward. Place bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until bacon renders fat and becomes crispy, and asparagus is tender-crisp when pierced with a fork.
07 - For extra-crispy bacon, switch oven to broil for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
08 - Transfer bundles to a warm serving platter using tongs. Serve hot while bacon remains crispy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of crispy bacon and tender asparagus creates that perfect texture contrast everyone craves
- These bundles look fancy but come together in under 30 minutes with minimal prep work
02 -
- Thick asparagus spears work better than pencil thin ones which can overcook before the bacon crisps
- Pat the asparagus dry before tossing with oil or the garlic will not stick properly
03 -
- Tuck the loose end of the bacon slice underneath the bundle so it does not unravel while baking
- Use tongs to flip the bundles halfway through cooking for even crisping on all sides