This grilled asparagus has a lovely charred flavor that is enhanced by the Sriracha and toasted pecan vinaigrette. Simple enough for everyday, this low carb asparagus is also special enough for entertaining friends!
I love asparagus. I know it makes your pee smell funny – I don’t care. It’s worth it. Grilled asparagus? Be still my heart.
In the spring, when it’s in season and so sweet and tender, I love snapping stalks off in my garden and eating them raw, still warm from the sun, while I walk through and enjoy the flowers and buzzing bees. But if enough stalks make it into my kitchen, then they are inevitably going to end up on the grill, then slathered in this delicious vinaigrette.
Grilled asparagus is my favorite spring side dish. It is low in calories, low in carbs, and it goes well with pretty much everything.
Mr. Hungry disagrees. Strongly. He’s not a lover of veggies anyway, but asparagus is one of the few that he’ll eat cooked (still grudgingly).
Since compromise is essential to making a marriage work (as is Rock, Paper, Scissors, which can’t be beat for conflict resolution in my opinion), sometimes I make this keto grilled asparagus just for me, and he gets a salad instead.
This recipe works for both of us, because the Sriracha and toasted pecan vinaigrette is equally delicious on my grilled asparagus AND his salad – or anything else for that matter! Interestingly, even Mr. Hungry enjoyed the asparagus with this vinaigrette, so there was less complaining than usual from his side of the table!
I grilled the asparagus for this recipe because it adds a nice smoky flavor, but grilling really isn’t crucial to the success of this recipe. You can just as easily steam, blanch, roast, or even microwave the asparagus before tossing in the flavorful vinaigrette.
This grilled asparagus really is the perfect low carb side dish recipe. It’s easy and quick, my two favorite things on a weeknight especially! The vinaigrette is slighty sweet, has a nice kick from the Sriracha – and I’m not kidding, it tastes amazing on everything!
I had a little leftover, and tried it with some chicken – Yum!
So be sure to make a big batch of this Sriracha and toasted pecan vinaigrette, and you can use it all week on hearty, low carb salads for lunch!
Grilled Asparagus with Spicy Toasted Pecan Vinaigrette
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
Low carb grilled asparagus with a spicy vinaigrette you’ll want to put on everything!
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh asparagus stalks, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For the Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup any light tasting oil (olive, avocado, grapeseed, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar free sweetener (honey if you’re Paleo)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Coat the asparagus with oil and salt.
- Grill for a couple of minutes per side, until tender but not mushy.
- Alternatively you can steam, blanch, roast, or microwave the asparagus as desired.
To make the vinaigrette:
- Combine all of the ingredients, except for the pecans, in a small bowl.
- Whisk until fully combined, then add the nuts.
- Pour over the asparagus and enjoy!
Notes
Approximate nutrition information per serving:
Vinaigrette only (2 Tbsp): 152 calories, 13g fat, 2g net carbs, 1g protein
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: vegetables
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~8 spears, 2 T vinaigrette
- Calories: 175
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
New to low carb and need some help getting started? Try out any one of my free low carb and keto menu plans with recipes and shopping lists and start losing weight fast!
Paul says
My wife was concerned this would be too spicy with the sriracha sauce. She almost convinced me to omit it. So glad I kept it in. (I prefer to try recipes “as is” at least once before tinkering) Very little heat with the amount used. Seriously so good. You get all the flavor of the pepper sauce and it goes so well with the toasted pecans. Absolutely winning recipe. Thank you!
Irene says
Plan on using this recipe this weekend and was thinking of adding to grilled shrimp…thoughts?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Just one Irene – YUM! :)
David says
Glad I found this, cant wait to try it! Thank you for sharing!
Melissa Allen says
Hey Melissa, it’s Melissa A. formerly from CT, now in NC. I love asparagus and Chris C. told me you have this gluten-free blog. I was mistaken for being pregnant from my gluten belly. So tired of the bloat. I’ll browse the rest later……
Cyndi says
Just had this with dinner! I could have licked the plate! The vinaigrette is fabulous! I’ve already sent the recipe and pic to a friend. Thanks for this delicious recipe! Can’t wait to make it again and again!
Grandma Annie says
How do I follow this blog? Love your recipes! Thank you, Ann
Mellissa Sevigny says
There are buttons at the very top of the page in the header. I’m going to use your email to subscribe you so you’ll get an email every time there is a new post. Enjoy!
Corly says
I have never heard of Sriracha Sauce. Would you mind telling me what it is and what section of the grocery store I might find it in? Thank you very much!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Hi Corly! Sriracha is an asian hot sauce and you can find it in pretty much any grocery store in the asian section. The most common brand has a rooster on the bottle which is why it’s also referred to as “rooster” sauce. It’s delicious on everything! I especially love it in my Sriracha Roasted Broccoli recipe!
Sonia! The Healthy Foodie says
Oh, gorgeous! I know what I’m having for sides tomorrow. Man does that look good! :)
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks Sonia – I will be putting this dressing on everything this summer! Hope you like it!