Description
A delicious and hearty dish featuring fresh asparagus smothered with savory bacon and a sweet garlic-soy glaze, baked to tender perfection. Perfect as a flavorful side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 bunches fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
Meat
- 1 lb bacon
Sauce
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to prepare for baking the asparagus dish.
- Prepare Asparagus: Trim the fresh asparagus and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Place all the asparagus evenly in a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is almost done but not fully crispy. This helps retain some texture without burning.
- Chop Bacon: Remove the bacon from the skillet, drain excess fat on paper towels, then chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle the chopped bacon evenly over the asparagus in the pan.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, melted butter, low-sodium soy sauce, and garlic powder until combined thoroughly.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the sweet and savory sauce evenly over the asparagus and bacon. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the asparagus to become tender.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, try to spread asparagus pieces in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Low-sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness; adjust to taste if using regular soy sauce.
- For a crispier bacon texture, cook slightly longer but avoid burning before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
