Georgia-Style Bacon Wrapped Asparagus on the Grill

Introduction

Get ready to enjoy the smoky, crispy, and tender flavors of Georgia-Style Bacon Wrapped Asparagus. This easy grilled side dish is packed with flavor and perfect for any cookout. Using the Arteflame grill, we achieve the perfect crispiness on the bacon while keeping the asparagus tender. Whether you're serving this as an appetizer or a side dish, it’s bound to be a hit!

Ingredients

• 1 bunch of fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 8-10 slices of thick-cut bacon
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• Toothpicks (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the oiled napkins in the grill and stack firewood on top.
3. Light the napkins and allow the fire to build for about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the asparagus bundles

1. Wash and trim the woody ends of the asparagus.
2. Wrap 3-4 asparagus spears together with one slice of bacon.
3. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if needed.
4. Brush each bundle with melted butter.
5. Sprinkle garlic powder, pepper, smoked paprika, and sea salt over the wrapped asparagus.

Step 3: Grill the asparagus

1. Place the bacon-wrapped asparagus on the flat cooktop near the center for a perfect sear.
2. Grill for 5-7 minutes per side, turning occasionally until the bacon becomes crispy and the asparagus is tender.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy

1. Remove from the grill and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
2. Enjoy your delicious Georgia-style bacon wrapped asparagus!

Tips

• Cook the asparagus bundles closer to the center of the Arteflame flat cooktop for a faster, crispier sear.
• Use thick-cut bacon for the best bite and texture.
• For extra smoky flavor, add hickory wood to your grill.
• Brush with additional melted butter while grilling for a richer taste.
• Remove from the grill when the bacon is crispy but not overly charred.

Variations

1. Spicy Georgia Wrap: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and drizzle with hot honey before serving.
2. Parmesan Herb: Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh thyme right before serving.
3. BBQ Glazed: Brush with your favorite Georgia-style BBQ sauce in the last 2 minutes of grilling.
4. Honey Mustard: Mix Dijon mustard with honey and brush the bundles before grilling.
5. Everything Bagel Seasoning: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before grilling for a crunchy, flavorful twist.

Best Pairings

• Grilled Ribeye Steak
• Southern-Style Baked Mac and Cheese
• Smoky Barbecue Pulled Pork
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Sweet Iced Tea

Conclusion

Grilling Georgia-Style Bacon Wrapped Asparagus on the Arteflame grill gives you the best crispy bacon and perfectly tender asparagus. It’s a simple, delicious dish everyone will love at your next backyard gathering.