Crispy Beef Bacon Asparagus (Printable version)
Tender asparagus wrapped in smoky beef bacon, oven-roasted to a crisp and flavorful finish.
# List of ingredients:
→ Vegetables
01 - 24 medium asparagus spears, woody ends trimmed
→ Meats
02 - 8 slices uncooked beef bacon
→ Seasonings & Oils
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
→ Garnish (optional)
07 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
08 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Directions:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top if available.
02 - Divide the asparagus spears into eight bundles, each containing three spears.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus bundles and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika if using.
04 - Wrap each asparagus bundle tightly with one slice of beef bacon, starting just below the tips and spiraling downward. Position bundles seam-side down on the prepared rack or baking sheet.
05 - Roast in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until the beef bacon is crisp and asparagus is tender.
06 - Transfer bundles to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Takes 15 minutes to prep and tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
- The asparagus stays tender while the bacon gets impossibly crispy—that textural contrast is genuinely addictive.
- Works as an elegant side for dinner, a brunch showstopper, or a party appetizer that people actually remember.
02 -
- Don't wrap the bacon too loosely or it'll just slide off as it cooks down—wrap it snug enough that you feel resistance but not so tight you're crushing the delicate asparagus.
- If your bacon starts getting too dark before the asparagus is tender, lower the oven to 375°F and add five more minutes rather than risking burnt bacon with undercooked vegetables.
03 -
- Make these up to two hours ahead and refrigerate them unbaked; they'll cook a little faster from cold, so watch them closely.
- If you want an extra-crispy finish without overcooking the asparagus, give them 1–2 minutes under the broiler after roasting, but don't walk away—broilers are unpredictable.