A Sweet-Savory Side Dish That Steals the Show
Imagine crisp, salty bacon wrapped around tender bundles of asparagus, all drizzled with a sticky-sweet glaze made of butter, honey, and crunchy pecans. This isn’t just another holiday vegetable—it’s the one they’ll ask for every year.
Baked right in the oven (no grill required), this bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe delivers serious flavor with simple ingredients and almost no cleanup. Whether it’s on your Thanksgiving spread or paired with steak on a weeknight, it’s as stunning as it is satisfying.
Table of Contents
🔍 Recipe at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| 🔪 Prep Time: | 15 minutes |
| 🔥 Cook Time: | 30 minutes |
| ⏲️ Total Time: | 45 minutes |
| 🍽️ Servings: | 6 Asparagus Bundles |
| ⚡Calories: | 216 kcal |
| 🌟Difficulty: | Easy |
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✨ Holiday-worthy presentation – Elegant enough for your holiday table, but easy enough for Tuesday dinner.
🔥 Oven-baked – No grill needed, which means you can make this year-round.
🍯 Irresistible glaze – Buttery honey-pecan goodness that caramelizes as it bakes.
🥓 Perfect texture – Crispy bacon edges and tender asparagus in every bite.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Each bundle is simple but impressive. Here’s what goes into it:
- Fresh asparagus spears – Washed, trimmed, and dried
- Bacon – Thin cut (not thick cut), so it cooks evenly
- Honey – Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization
- Butter – Richness to carry the glaze
- Chopped pecans – For crunch and nuttiness
- Soy sauce – Adds umami and balances the sweetness
- Garlic powder – A subtle savory note to boost the glaze
- Freshly ground black pepper – To taste, for balance and a hint of heat
🔪 How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles in the Oven
Step 1: Prep the Asparagus
Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse the asparagus and trim the tough, woody ends. Once trimmed, divide into bundles of 3–4 spears each.
Step 2: Wrap the Bundles
Wrap each bundle tightly with 1 slice of thin-cut bacon, spiraling from base to tip.
Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet or greased dish.
Step 3: Craft the Honey Pecan Glaze
In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in honey, pecans, soy sauce, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for 1–2 minutes.
Step 4: Glaze and Bake
Brush each bundle generously with glaze. For crispier bacon, place bundles on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until bacon is caramelized and asparagus is tender. For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully.
Step 5: Serve Your Show-Stopping Bundles
Let rest for a few minutes, then transfer to a platter and serve warm. These bacon-wrapped beauties are ready to impress.
🧠 Pro Tips for Success
- Use wire rack – It helps the bacon crisp evenly.
- Glaze Timing matters – To avoid burning the sugars, brush the glaze on during the last 5-7 minutes of baking.
- Thick Bacon? Par-cook first – Give it a 3-5 minute head start to avoid soggy asparagus.
- Space the bundles – Don’t overcrowd the pan for best results.
- Toothpicks for the win – Secure bacon with a toothpick if it starts to unravel.
🔄 Easy Variations
🔥 Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Preheat grill to 375–400°F. Grill bundles for 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally. Brush glaze on during the last few minutes.
👉 Pair with Grilled Mahi Mahi or Grilled Chicken Breasts.
🍃 Air Fryer Version
Preheat air fryer to 390°F. Air fry bundles in a single layer for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway. Brush with glaze and air fry another 1–2 minutes.
👉 Try with Easy Air Fryer Carrots.
🌶️ Add a kick
Stir in red pepper flakes or hot honey to the glaze.
🥜 Swap the nuts
Use chopped almonds or walnuts instead of pecans.
🥓 Make it keto
Use sugar-free honey and low-carb soy sauce.
🍽 What to Serve With It
This sweet and savory side plays well with both casual and holiday meals:
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
- Oven Roasted Garlic Herb Potatoes
- Baked Acorn Squash Slices
- Roast Turkey with Apple Cider Brine
- Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
❓FAQs
Yes! Assemble the bundles the day before. Glaze and bake just before serving.
Nope. Bake at 400°F. softens the spears just enough.
Use the oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes. The microwave will make the bacon chewy, so skip it if you can.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven for the best texture.
💬 Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about bacon-wrapped anything—but these asparagus bundles take it to the next level with that buttery honey pecan glaze. Sweet, salty, and a little bit fancy, they’re the veggie side everyone actually wants to eat.
Ready to impress your guests? Make this dish once, and it just might become your new Thanksgiving tradition.
If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think—leave a comment, rate the recipe, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and share with anyone who loves an impressive holiday side dish!
📖 Recipe Card
Recipe
Honey Pecan Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus ends trimmed
- 8 slices thin-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare The Asparagus
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rinse the asparagus under cool water and trim the tough ends.
- Divide the asparagus into bundles of 3 to 4 spears each.
Wrap with Bacon
- Wrap a slice of bacon around each asparagus bundle, starting from the bottom and spiraling upwards. Ensure the bacon overlaps slightly to secure the bundle.
- Place the bundles seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking dish.
Prepare The Honey Pecan Glaze
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Stir in the honey, chopped pecans, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened.
Glaze and Season
- Line a pan with tinfoil or place a cooling rack on a large cookie sheet. Place the bundles on the pan.
- Brush the honey pecan glaze generously over each bacon-wrapped asparagus bundle.
Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the bundles for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let the bundles rest for a few minutes.
Serve
- Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.
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