Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus with Brown Sugar Glaze
This oven-baked bacon-wrapped asparagus is an easy spring or summer side dish made with tender asparagus, crispy bacon, and a buttery sweet-savory brown sugar glaze. The sauce bakes down into a sticky, flavorful glaze — it’s the part everyone goes back for.
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Ingredients
- 450g 1 lb asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 10 to 12 slices regular bacon, NOT thick-cut
- 53g (¼ cup, packed) brown sugar
- 57g (¼ cup) unsalted butter
- ½ tablespoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the oven rack in the middle position.
- Trim the woody ends from the asparagus. Divide the asparagus into 10 to 12 small bundles, depending on the thickness of the spears. For thinner asparagus, use about 3 to 5 spears per bundle. For thicker asparagus, use 2 to 3 spears per bundle.450g 1 lb asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- Wrap each asparagus bundle with one slice of bacon, placing the seam side down in a shallow baking dish. Use regular bacon instead of thick-cut bacon so it cooks through by the time the asparagus is tender.10 to 12 slices regular bacon, NOT thick-cut
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, soy sauce, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring once or twice until the butter is melted and everything is evenly combined. The sugar does not need to fully dissolve.53g (¼ cup, packed) brown sugar, 57g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, ½ tablespoon soy sauce, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pour the sauce over the bacon-wrapped asparagus, making sure each bundle is coated. The glaze will look generous at first, but it reduces as it bakes and coats the bacon and asparagus.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked and the sauce has reduced into a glossy glaze. This recipe is best served warm, when the bacon edges are crisp and the glaze is glossy.TIP: For more color on the bacon, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely so the sugar does not burn.
Video
Notes
Make Ahead
You can assemble the bacon-wrapped asparagus up to 8 hours ahead. Arrange the bundles in the baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate. For best results, make the sauce just before baking and pour it over the asparagus right before it goes into the oven. If making the sauce ahead, refrigerate it separately, then gently rewarm until pourable before using.Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the bundles in a 350°F (175°C) oven or air fryer until warmed through and the bacon has crisped up again. The microwave works in a hurry, but the bacon will be softer — still tasty, just less snappy.