Last Updated June 1st, 2020 at 09:43 am by Lisa
Grilled Asparagus with Gremolata Topping is a clean healthy vegetarian side dish recipe full of fresh bell pepper, basil, parsley, capers, lemon, and pine nuts. Absolute YUM!
Grilled asparagus with gremolata topping is a clean side dish packed with healthy ingredients and fresh tangy flavors. The asparagus is grilled lightly in a tiny amount of ghee in just minutes on a grill pan.
Gremolata is a flavor-packed topping for veggies, pastas, meats, or can be made into a quick salad dressing. You can chop the ingredients on a board or mix in a high-speed blender.
This gremolata recipe has buttery toasted pine nuts, tangy capers, sweet bell pepper, basil, lemon zest, and parsley together are light, fresh, and clean! In all honesty, I couldn’t stop eating the grilled asparagus with gremolata topping and skipped our main course for dinner.
What is Gremolata?
The Italian pronunciation [ɡremoˈlaːta] or Italian pronunciation [ɡremoˈlaːda] is a chopped herb condiment classically made of lemon zest, garlic, and parsley. It is a traditionally served with the Milanese braised veal shank dish ossobuco alla milanese
The best part is you can make this from ingredients you have on hand, and try different combinations!
Here Is What You Need For Gremolata:
- leaves from one bunch flat-leaf parsley
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or pistachios
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- zest of one lemon
- pinch of salt and black cracked pepper
Other common gremolata flavor ingredients variations are:
- garlic
- grated fresh horseradish
- minced shallot
- Pecorino Romano cheese
- anchovy
- toasted pine nuts
Gremolata usually includes grated lemon peel, although the zest from other citrus fruits lime, orange, grapefruit may be used. There are also other variations, such as leaving out the herbs or adding herbs like parsley, cilantro, mint, sage.
This gorgeous bell pepper is called an Enjoya pepper has a rosy red striping over a canary yellow background. Enjoya peppers are pleasantly sweet, very crunchy, crisp and a bit juicy.
You can use any bell pepper for this recipe, but I hope you find the Enjoya bell peppers in your market, because they are beautiful and so sweet!
Two Options To Make the Gremolata:
- Finely chop all the ingredients on a cutting board, and combine in a bowl OR
- Blend all the ingredients in a Cuisinart/Vitamix. I used my Vitamix, and it worked great!
This mixture is your Gremolata topping. You don’t cook it or do anything else to this amazing topping.
You can prepare the Gremolata ahead by an hour.
What Else Can I Use Gremolata Topping With?
- Spoon over grilled fish
- Top a grilled steak
- Add into salads
- Use in a pressed sandwich
- Mix into fresh pasta dishes
- Stir into risotto
What Is The Difference Between Gremolata, Pesto, and Chimichurri
Chimichurri is lighter than Pesto, and is more of a marinade sauce made from finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and white or red wine vinegar. In its red version, tomato and red bell pepper may also be added.
The original pesto alla genovese, the quintessential pesto recipe, is made with Genovese basil, coarse salt, garlic, Ligurian extra virgin olive oil (Taggiasco), European pine nuts (sometimes toasted) and a grated cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano and pecorino sardo or pecorino romano.
Gremolata is quite chunky and not a blended sauce. It is a chopped-herb condiment. It’s made of grated lemon zest, finely chopped garlic, parsley and has other ingredients like capers, basil, parsley, and bell pepper.
Next, Grill the Asparagus.
Two tips on perfect kitchen grilled asparagus:
- Use a grill pan
- Grill with ghee (or coconut oil)
Here is why:
Why Use Cast Iron Grill Pans?
- they are inexpensive
- will last a lifetime
- easy to use
- quick to clean
- create a dish quickly!
- hold heat and sear very well
Grill the Asparagus
- Prepare the asparagus, by snapping off the bottom tough ends.
- Using a grill pan, add 1 teaspoon ghee in the hot grill pan.
- Grill the asparagus 3 minutes per side, 6 minutes total.
note: I like the crisp fresh snap when you bite into the asparagus, and so you don’t want to cook these for too long. They stay nice and green this way too, so pretty don’t ya think?
What Is Ghee?
Ghee is like clarified butter, in other words, it has the milk solids removed. It has a buttery nutty taste, doesn’t burn, and grills quickly keeping in the fresh nutrients. And the best part? You only use about 2 teaspoons for 2 bunches of asparagus!
What Does Ghee Taste Like?
Ghee has a super buttery taste, almost a caramel-like taste.
How Long Does Ghee Last?
It can be refrigerated for 6 months or frozen for a year.
Why Is Ghee Great To Grill With?
You can use a small amount, and cook with it at high temperatures without burning because the milk solids are removed. Ghee also adds a depth of flavor to your grilled veggies.
Ghee has a higher smoke point (375 degrees), making it ideal for sautéing and searing.
Where Can I Find Ghee?
You can easily find ghee at the grocery store, or make ghee at home, using just unsalted butter and a heavy saucepan.
Serve the grilled asparagus with the gremolata and lemon wedges.
Try this easy and healthy dish, and enjoy each delightful bite!
All the Best,
Lisa
XO
Here are a couple more fun grill ideas…
- Grilled Corn ~ Mexican Chile Lime Elotes
- Light up the grill and make fresh salsa! Fire Grilled Hatch Chile Tomatillo Salsa
- Grilled Lamb Gyro Wrap with Greek Tzatziki Sauce, gorgeous and impressive
- Grilled Lamb Chops, Peaches, Mint Parmesan Pesto
- Grilled Pineapple Rum Glazed Beef Kabobs
- Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Pineapple Rice Bowls served in pineapples!
- Homemade Grill and BBQ Rub is easy to make and is a great gift. You will find this rub in many of my grilled recipes, it is full of flavor and has no preservatives.
Watch Our Video On Grilled Asparagus with Gremolata Topping!
Grilled Asparagus with Gremolata Topping
Ingredients
Grilled Asparagus:
- 1-2 bunches asparagus
- 2 teaspoons ghee or coconut oil
Gremolata:
- leaves from one bunch flat-leaf parsley
- 1 bell pepper Enjoya Bell Pepper
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or pistachios
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- zest of one lemon
- pinch of salt and black cracked pepper
Instructions
Make the Gremolata
- Finely chop all the ingredients on a cutting board, combine, you can make the gremolata an hour ahead. Or
- Blend all the ingredients in a Cuisinart.
Grill the Asparagus
- Prepare the asparagus, by snapping off the bottom tough ends.
- Using a grill pan, add 1 teaspoon ghee in the hot grill pan.
- Grill the asparagus 3 minutes per side, 6 minutes total.
- Serve the grilled asparagus with the gremolata topping and lemon wedges.
I love it when instructions read something like “place all ingredients in a blender / food processor.” You are speaking my language Lisa! 🙂 This dish was so light and bright and had just the perfect combo of zing and freshness. I made it as is this time but definitely am excited that you can substitute those other ingredients to see what combinations you like best on different veggies or dishes. Mmmm! Thanks for those ideas!
Loved, loved, loved loved this recipe. So easy to make and absolutely delicious. Thank you Lisa for sharing. This will be made again and again.
Thanks for making the recipe Shelli! Makes a great healthy dinner, and a perfect Easter/Spring side dish! Appreciate the comment….