Asparagus Bacon Recipes
Not all foods are born equal and asparagus bacon recipes proves just that. Does it help with weight loss? Most definitely. Is it loaded with nutrients? Check. Can it be served with just about anything? Why yes it can, bacon included! We all love ourselves some bacon but like many things, it sadly has to be eaten in moderation. If you’re looking for an excuse to add this delicious food into your evening meal, then you’re in the right place for these asparagus bacon recipes are sure to tick all the boxes! Tasty, easy to make, and (kind of) healthy, what more could you want?!
Health Benefits of Asparagus
Before we dive into those delicious asparagus bacon recipes, let’s first take a look at what makes asparagus so special!
Asparagus is a low-calorie vegetable that is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, particularly folate and vitamins A, C, and K.
It is a good source of fiber, promoting regularity and digestive health. It may even help reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Asparagus is a good source of antioxidants, which help prevent the accumulation of harmful free radicals and may reduce your risk of chronic disease!
It is high in folate, a super nutrient that helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects during pregnancy.
Asparagus is high in potassium, which can help lower high blood pressure. Animal studies have found that asparagus may contain an active compound that dilates blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure!
Asparagus is a weight-loss-friendly food. It’s low in calories, high in water, and rich in fiber.
Asparagus is a nutritious and talented vegetable that’s easy to incorporate into your diet. Add it to salads, frittatas, omelets, and stir-fries, or with these asparagus bacon recipes!
Asparagus Bacon Recipes
Now you know all about the health benefits, blah blah blah, you can take in these delightful asparagus bacon recipes! Bon appetit!
Asparagus Bacon Recipes #1: Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
This is perhaps the most classic of all asparagus bacon recipes, and for good reason. It’s super yummy and easy to make! If your little ones are having a hard time getting their head around asparagus, this is a great one to introduce them to it as chances are, they’ll love the bacon wrapped around it!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 8 bundles
Ingredients:
1 pound asparagus spears trimmed (about 20 to 24 spears)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 strips thick-cut bacon
Method:
Start by placing a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper if you want an easy cleanup.
Put the asparagus in a large bowl or on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle with as much salt and pepper as you see fit. Toss the asparagus until evenly coated.
You then need to gather the spears and count and divide them into 8 equal sections. This is likely to be 2-4 spears depending on how thick they are. Hold them together in a single bundle and starting midway to the top, wrap the bundle with a single strip of bacon (overlap the starting end of the bacon slightly to secure it) and place the bundle on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down. Repeat until all the remaining spears are wrapped.
Place in the oven and cook until the bacon is nice and crispy and the asparagus is soft, about 22 to 28 minutes, depending upon the thickness of your bacon and how crisp you’d like it to be. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Asparagus Bacon Recipes #1: Asparagus Bacon Pasta
Sometimes you want (and most definitely deserve) some carbohydrates in your life. While most asparagus bacon recipes steer clear of carbs, this one has found a way to incorporate it in a way that is seriously flavorsome and (kind of) healthy.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) uncooked pasta
1/2 lb. (about 8 strips) uncooked bacon, diced
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) fresh asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 cup dry white wine (feel free to double this if you desire)
1/2 cup grated or flaked Parmesan cheese
Method:
Start by cooking the pasta to al dente according to packet instructions in a large pot of generously salted water.
In the meantime, add the bacon to a medium pan and fry over medium-high heat, making sure to occasionally stir until the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness. Remove from the pan and set to the side. Toss in the asparagus and saute in the bacon grease for 5-6 minutes until cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside with the bacon. Slowly pour the white wine into the pan, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spoon so you deglaze it - pick up all of the debris and place it to the side. Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, until the wine has reduced by about 50%.
Once the pasta has cooked, drain it and add the pasta, asparagus, bacon, pan debris, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese to the saute pan, and toss until well-combined. Sprinkle the pasta with the rest of the Parmesan cheese and serve immediately! Enjoy!
Asparagus Bacon Recipes #3: Asparagus Bacon And Egg Salad
This is one of the lowest-carb yet delicious asparagus bacon recipes and is definitive proof that salads don’t have to be boring. It can be served both warm and cold and can also include fresh goat cheese and pickled red onions if you want to switch things up a bit!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
1 lb green asparagus, ends trimmed
3 oz. bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
4 large, hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp bacon fat
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pinch sea salt
1 pinch red chili flakes
Method:
Start by cutting the trimmed asparagus into 3-5 cm segments.
Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil and drop the asparagus in for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and keep the color locked in.
Combine the oil, vinegar, mustard, bacon fat, garlic, salt, and pepper flakes in a small mixing bowl. Whisk until well-combined.
Place the asparagus in a large serving dish and sprinkle the bacon over top and arrange the hard-boiled eggs. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve any remaining vinaigrette in a small dish on the side.
Asparagus Bacon Recipes #4: Creamy Asparagus And Bacon Soup
If you want some asparagus bacon recipes that are a little lighter and perhaps also a little warming, then this soup is the one you should try! It does require a Dutch oven (or a large pot) and a Vitamix or immersion blender so may not be accessible for everyone. This recipe is also gluten-free!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled reserve some of the bacon grease
2 lbs fresh asparagus, cut into 1 - 2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon bacon grease
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoons shallots, minced
3 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup cream
Dollop Sour Cream
Method:
Start by cooking the bacon in a medium-sized sauté pan until nice and crispy. Set a tablespoon of grease aside and prep the asparagus, garlic, and shallots in the meantime.
Add the reserved bacon grease and olive oil to a dutch oven or large pot and heat to medium. Toss in the garlic and shallot and cook for around 1 minute, making sure to not burn.
Next up, add the asparagus, salt, and pepper. Stir gently and then let it cook for about 5 minutes.
Remove a few pieces of asparagus tops to set aside and then add in the stock and cook for a further 10-15 minutes.
You can liquify the soup by either using an immersion blender (or using a blender or Vitamix).
Note: If using a blender, you will need to go in batches.
Return to the pot on medium heat and add the cream.
Heat until it starts to simmer again and then mix well. It is now ready to serve!
For maximum tastiness, serve with a swirl of sour cream or mix in a dollop and top with crumbled bacon and asparagus spear tops.
