I would never seriously say “I hate bacon.” In truth, bacon is one of my favorite foods — and when it comes to making vegetables irresistible, wrapping them in bacon is hard to beat. Bacon-wrapped asparagus is a simple, elegant side that feels indulgent but comes together easily.
For a holiday meal or a casual weeknight dinner, this recipe adds a crispy, savory element to fresh asparagus. The one key step is partially cooking the bacon first: that prevents leathery or mushy bacon and helps it crisp up beautifully in the oven when wrapped around the spears. I usually pop the bacon into a cold oven and bake it briefly before wrapping.
Besides tasting great, these bundles look impressive on a platter, which makes them a perfect choice for entertaining. Wrapping each bundle takes a little time, but the result is worth it. Plan on about three asparagus spears per bundle and one slice of bacon per bundle. A light drizzle of olive oil with a sprinkle of salt and pepper is all you need to season the asparagus.
Tip: Remove the woody ends of the asparagus by holding a spear in both hands and bending it until it snaps. The snap indicates the boundary between the tough end and the tender stalk. Trim the rest to match that length.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 asparagus spears per bundle, washed and trimmed
- 1 slice of bacon per bundle
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper
DIRECTIONS
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer and place the sheet in a COLD oven. Turn the oven to 400°F (about 200°C) and bake the bacon for 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness, until it begins to render but is not fully crisp. Remove and let cool briefly.
- Group the asparagus into bundles of three. Drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- When the bacon is cool enough to handle, wrap one slice around each bundle of asparagus without overlapping the bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Set an oven-safe wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the bundles on the rack to allow excess fat to drip away.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the asparagus is tender. Serve warm.
Recipe from
CenterCutCook