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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Asian Grilled Sweet and Spicy Asparagus

    January 26, 2022 · Published: October 1, 2018 By: Asian Caucasian 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    grilled asparagus
    Beautiful grilled asparagus spears with an Asian sweet and spicy pepper sauce placed on top of two narrow white plates with an asparagus spear on top.
    grilled asparagus

    I happen to have acquired a taste for asparagus later in life, and never looked back! This recipe for Asian Grilled Sweet and Spicy Asparagus is definitely on point! It's a beautiful side dish that will definitely impress your party guests!

    Vibrant grilled asparagus spears on a narrow white plate topped with a roasted pepper and almond sauce.

    You're going to love the balance of flavors from the spiciness of the sambal oelek (red chili paste) and the sweetness from the sautéed bell peppers and shallots, plus a dash of brown sugar. All of this goodness is drizzled on top of perfectly grilled asparagus spears.

    In my opinion, there's no true asparagus season, as you can eat these lovely green spears year round. So, are you an asparagus-lover or not?Look at these gorgeous green asparagus spears! These Asian Grilled Sweet and Spicy Asparagus grill to perfection, and the topping is so flavorful bringing out the sweet and spiciness of this easy side dish. YUM!

    Blanched asparagus spears bathing in an ice bath inside a glass bowl on top of a white plank board.

    Blanching the asparagus spears first and then "shocking" it in an ice bath helps to retain its crispiness and beautiful green color.

    Chopped multi-colored bell peppers, grated ginger, sliced garlic, and chopped red onions on top of a wooden cutting board with a chef's knife placed on the side on top of a white wooden plank board.

    Prep your veggies while the asparagus is blanching. I used fresh yellow and red bell peppers, shallots, garlic, and ginger.

    Multi-colored bell peppers being sauteed in a frying pan with a wooden spatula and an oven mitt on the side on top of a white plank wooden board.

    Sauté the veggies in a frying pan until fragrant. Stir in the liquid and leave on a low heat until the asparagus is ready to be served.

    Asparagus spears being grilled on a round grill pan on top of a wooden board.

    Grill the asparagus spears in a grill pan until all sides have slight grill marks.

    Beautiful grilled asparagus spears with an Asian sweet and spicy pepper sauce placed on top of two narrow white plates with an asparagus spear on top.

    Plate the asparagus on a serving tray with a drizzle of the veggie sauce, and garnish with more almond slices and fresh cilantro. Your guests will be so impressed with this Asian Grilled Sweet and Spicy Asparagus side dish!

    Print
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    grilled asparagus

    Asian Grilled Sweet and Spicy Asparagus

    ★★★★★

    5 from 6 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Beautiful grilled asparagus spears with an Asian sweet and spicy sauce are the perfect side dish!

    • Total Time: 30
    • Yield: 4 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
    • Salt and pepper
    • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce (or gluten-free)
    • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon sambal oelek (red chili paste)
    • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
    • 1 tablespoon canola oil
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 shallot, finely chopped
    • ½ red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
    • ½ yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

    Instructions

    1. In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the asparagus spears for 2 to 3 minutes. Quickly transfer the asparagus into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set on paper towels to dry. Sprinkle the asparagus with salt and pepper.
    2. Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sambal oelek, brown sugar, and ginger. Set aside.
    3. In a medium frying pan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, stirring for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the shallots, bell peppers, and almonds to the pan, and sauté for 2 minutes. Keep on low heat. Add in the liquid mixture and stir until slightly thickened. Remove from heat or keep on very low.
    4. Spray a heavy grill pan with cooking spray and set on medium high heat. Grill the asparagus spears until grill marks appear, about 5 minutes, making sure to rotate the spears for even cooking. Place the asparagus on a serving tray and drizzle with the veggie mixture. Garnish with more sliced almonds and sprinkles of chopped cilantro.
    • Author: Asian Caucasian
    • Prep Time: 10 min
    • Cook Time: 20
    • Category: Sides
    • Method: Stove-top
    • Cuisine: Asian-Fusion

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 130
    • Sugar: 10.2 g
    • Sodium: 585.3 mg
    • Fat: 6 g
    • Carbohydrates: 15.8 g
    • Protein: 4.6 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: Asian asparagus recipe, asparagus, grilled asparagus recipe, sauce for asparagus, grilled asparagus, how to cook asparagus, Asian style asparagus, asparagus, Asian side dish

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @AsianCaucasianBlog on Instagram and hashtag  #AsianCaucasianEats

    If you liked this recipe, try our Spicy Edamame.

    spicy edamame

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie Running in a Skirt

      November 07, 2018 at 10:53 am

      I agree! We eat asparagus all the time! I love the flavors you added to this version- so tasty!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        November 07, 2018 at 3:05 pm

        Thanks, Julie! The flavors in this sauce really kick this asparagus up a notch, or two!

        Reply
    2. Tristin Rieken

      November 06, 2018 at 9:22 pm

      Yum!!! Love the red chile paste with asparagus. Such a great combination. Will be making this again for sure. Thanks!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        November 07, 2018 at 9:37 am

        The sauce is the winner in this asparagus dish! So glad you liked it, Tristin!

        Reply
    3. Michelle

      November 06, 2018 at 7:00 pm

      I love this Asian spicy flavor twist on asparagus. I can't wait to give it a try. Sounds delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        November 06, 2018 at 9:10 pm

        Thank you so much, Michelle! This asparagus is so good with this killer sauce!

        Reply
    4. Nikole Berg

      November 06, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      Always looking for new ways to prepare asparagus. Sounds delish!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        November 06, 2018 at 2:10 pm

        This sauce is the bomb! Hope you'll try this side dish, Nikole!

        Reply
    5. Beth

      November 06, 2018 at 10:34 am

      I just adore asparagus! Especially when grilled! But the Asian twist you have going on with the sweet and spicy sauce, really takes it to the next level!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        November 06, 2018 at 2:09 pm

        Thanks, Beth! That sauce is the star of this asparagus dish, so full of flavor!

        Reply
    6. Toni | Boulder Locavore

      October 04, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      Looks like a great side dish! Would love to try it!

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        October 05, 2018 at 4:59 pm

        Not only is this the easiest side dish, but super impressive. If you love asparagus, you will adore this recipe! Let me know what you think!

        Reply
    7. Amy K. Duska

      October 01, 2018 at 7:54 pm

      This looks amazing! Can't wait to try it this week 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Asian Caucasian

        October 01, 2018 at 7:56 pm

        Thanks, Amy! Can't wait for you to try it. If you love asparagus like I do, you will love it even more with this recipe!

        Reply

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    Lesli Schwartz.

    Hi, I'm Lesli! Welcome to Asian Caucasian, a healthy-ish food blog born out of a passion for home-cooked, Asian-inspired cuisine. I always cook with market-fresh ingredients and prepare simplistic, healthy Asian recipes so you can throw away those take-out menus! Come share my culinary love of beautiful Asian-fusion food, and get cooking in the kitchen! READ MORE!

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