What Goes Good with Bacon Wrapped Asparagus? 10 Tasty Pairing Ideas

Bacon wrapped asparagus is a classic appetizer for good reason. The crispy, salty bacon complements the tender, herbal asparagus spears so well. But when serving this tasty dish, what should you pair it with to make a complete meal?

You’ll want sides that enhance the flavors of the bacon and asparagus rather than overpower them. Things like fresh greens, roasted veggies, cheesy dips, and light proteins make excellent accompaniments. Read on for 10 delicious options for what to serve alongside bacon wrapped asparagus.

1. Mixed Green Salad

A fresh green salad is one of the simplest options for serving with bacon wrapped asparagus The crisp lettuce and mix of greens provide a light counterbalance to the rich appetizer

Make a basic salad with a vinaigrette dressing to let the flavors of the asparagus shine. You can also add some diced tomato, shaved carrots, croutons, or Parmesan for extra interest.

The greens give your meal a serving of vegetables while the bacon wrapped asparagus brings protein and indulgence. It’s a well-rounded combo perfect for lunches or light dinners.

2. Roasted Potatoes

For some hearty carbs to complete your plate roasted potatoes pair beautifully with bacon wrapped asparagus. Potatoes roasted in the oven become crispy on the outside while staying fluffy inside.

Choose small potatoes like fingerlings or halved baby potatoes so they cook up nice and crisp. Toss them with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper before roasting.

The crispy exteriors and soft interiors provide irresistible textures that balance the crunchy asparagus and bacon duo. This classic starch makes the appetizer a hearty main meal.

3. Quinoa Pilaf

If you want to skip the starchy potatoes, try serving quinoa instead. This superfood grain has a pleasantly chewy texture and nutty flavor.

Make it into a quinoa pilaf seasoned with garlic, herbs, lemon, and olive oil. You can even mix in some chopped veggies like bell peppers or snap peas for extra nutrition.

The wholesome quinoa offers a lighter pairing for the rich bacon wrapped asparagus. It gives you fiber, antioxidants, and protein to complement this tasty appetizer.

4. Garlic Bread

Warm, crusty garlic bread is a perfect partner for bacon wrapped asparagus. The garlicky notes enhance the other flavors on the plate.

Make it out of a crusty artisan baguette sliced in half lengthwise. Spread the halves with softened butter mixed with minced garlic. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top for extra flavor.

The combination of the crunchy garlic toast, crisp asparagus, and savory bacon makes a very satisfying textural experience. It’s an easy yet sophisticated pairing.

5. Bruschetta

If you want a lighter bread pairing, try topping grilled bread slices with fresh bruschetta instead. This fresh tomato relish adds a tangy, summery twist.

Make it by dicing ripe tomatoes, mixing with chopped garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and torn basil leaves. Spoon it over toasted bread.

The bright acidity and flavors of the bruschetta perfectly balance the rich smokiness of the bacon wrapped asparagus. It keeps the pairing feeling light.

6. Twice Baked Potatoes

For the ultimate comfort food alongside bacon wrapped asparagus, try making twice baked potatoes. They take baked potatoes up a notch.

Bake potatoes until tender all the way through. Cut them in half and scoop out most of the flesh into a bowl. Mix the potato with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and seasonings, then stuff it back into the skins. Bake again until tops are crispy.

The creamy, cheesy potato filling makes a decadent counterpoint to the bacon wrapped asparagus. It’s a hearty and totally indulgent meal pairing.

7. Creamed Spinach

Buttery creamed spinach is a classic side dish that pairs flawlessly with bacon wrapped asparagus. The rich flavors complement each other brilliantly.

Cook fresh spinach down until wilted and chop it finely. Then mix with heavy cream, butter, nutmeg, garlic, and Parmesan. You can also add crumbled bacon for an extra smoky twist.

The creamy spinach provides a wonderful contrast to the crispy asparagus and bacon duo. Two rich sides together make a very satisfying meal.

8. Dinner Rolls

Fresh from the oven, warm dinner rolls can round out your bacon wrapped asparagus beautifully. They’re perfect for dipping and soaking up any delicious drippings.

Choose soft yeast rolls, brioche rolls, or slider buns warmed up with butter or olive oil. Serve them on the side for grabbing and dipping throughout your meal.

The soft bread provides a great textural element to contrast with the crunchy bacon. Dip the rolls in any juices on your plate for added flavor.

9. Macaroni and Cheese

For the ultimate kid-friendly pairing, you can’t go wrong with macaroni and cheese alongside bacon wrapped asparagus. The classic flavors pair up nicely.

Make your favorite type of mac and cheese, whether it’s a creamy baked version, stovetop with melted cheese, or even the blue box kind. The soft, cheesy pasta completes the meal.

Comforting, gooey mac and cheese helps cut the richness of the bacon-wrapped asparagus. Together they make a family-friendly dinner everyone will love.

10. Pasta Salad

Finally, a refreshing pasta salad makes another excellent partner for bacon wrapped asparagus. It balances the warm, heavier appetizer nicely.

Choose fun pasta shapes like rotini, farfalle, or wagon wheel pasta. Toss with diced cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, Italian dressing, and shredded mozzarella or Parmesan. Chill before serving.

The crisp cool salad contrasts the texture of the hot asparagus and bacon duo. It provides brightness and freshness to make a well-rounded meal.

Complementary Flavors for Asparagus and Bacon

When searching for sides to serve with bacon wrapped asparagus, keep complementary flavors in mind. Here are some of the notes you want to enhance:

• Savory umami flavors – Choose sides with cheeses, roasted veggies, or artichokes.

• Saltiness – Side dishes with soy sauce, bacon, olives, or pickles work well.

• Garlic and onion – These nicely season side dishes without overpowering.

• Herbs – Rosemary, thyme, and dill add an extra layer of flavor.

• Tanginess – Lemon, vinegars, tomato, and citrus vinaigrettes create bright accents.

• Richness – A pat of butter or drizzle of olive oil gives a luscious feel.

By keeping the flavors cohesive, you allow the bacon wrapped asparagus to shine as the star of your meal!

Make it a Complete Dinner

Bacon wrapped asparagus on its own makes a great appetizer. But pairing it with complementary side dishes or lighter proteins turns it into a full meal.

Here are some options for easy main dishes featuring bacon wrapped asparagus:

• Surf and turf – Add grilled shrimp or seared scallops

• Chicken dinner – Serve with roasted lemon chicken

• Steakhouse meal – Pair with filet mignon or NY strip steak

• Pork platter – Accent with boneless pork chops

• Seafoodspread – Serve alongside grilled salmon or halibut

• Meat and potatoes – Add roasted beef tenderloin and garlic mashed potatoes

With the right pairings, bacon wrapped asparagus becomes a centerpiece of any easy yet impressive dinner. Experiment with different flavor combos to find your favorites!

An Appealing App to Start Any Meal

The combination of crisp bacon and tender asparagus is hard to resist. That makes bacon wrapped asparagus a shining star appetizer or starter for all types of meals.

Serve it on its own as a light nibble or pair it with fresh salad greens, warm bread, roasted veggies, creamy pasta, or your favorite protein. With so many pairing possibilities, you can enjoy this classic in many ways.

Just be sure not to fill up too much on the appetizer. Because with such a delicious preview of the flavors to come, you’ll definitely want to save room for the rest of your meal!