Crispy Beef Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Print Version)

Tender asparagus spears wrapped in smoky beef bacon, roasted until crispy and flavorful.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 18 medium asparagus spears, trimmed

→ Meats

02 - 6 slices beef bacon

→ Seasonings & Oils

03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
07 - Pinch of kosher salt

→ Optional Garnish

08 - 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
09 - Lemon wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - Rinse and trim the woody ends off the asparagus spears. Pat dry completely.
03 - In a large bowl, toss asparagus with olive oil, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
04 - Divide asparagus into 6 bundles, using 3 spears per bundle.
05 - Wrap each bundle tightly with a slice of beef bacon, securing the ends underneath the bundle.
06 - Arrange bundles seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Roast for 18–20 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and asparagus is tender-crisp.
08 - Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of beef bacon and asparagus creates an irresistible smoky savory flavor that feels fancy but comes together in minutes
  • These bundles look impressive on a platter but require almost zero prep work, making them perfect for stress-free entertaining
02 -
  • Dry your asparagus thoroughly after rinsing, or the seasonings will slide right off and the bacon will not crisp properly
  • Seam-side down placement is crucial because it keeps the bacon ends from unraveling while roasting
03 -
  • Choose beef bacon slices that are not too thick, or they will not cook through before the asparagus becomes mushy
  • Pat the asparagus completely dry with a clean towel before seasoning, or you will end up with steamed rather than roasted vegetables