🐟 Baked Salmon with Asparagus and Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
This easy baked salmon recipe pairs tender, flaky fish with crisp-tender asparagus and a bright, flavorful lemon-garlic butter sauce. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.
📝 Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Optional: fresh parsley or dill for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat oven:
- 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Prepare salmon and asparagus:
- Arrange salmon fillets on one side of the baking sheet and asparagus on the other.
- Drizzle olive oil over asparagus and salmon. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake:
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender-crisp.
4. Make lemon garlic butter sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest.
5. Serve:
- Drizzle lemon garlic butter sauce over salmon and asparagus.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or dill if desired.
🍴 Tips
- For extra flavor, marinate salmon in a little olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice for 15–20 minutes before baking.
- Try adding cherry tomatoes or thinly sliced onions to the sheet pan for more color and flavor.
- For a crispier top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking.
If you want, I can give a one-pan shortcut version that bakes salmon, asparagus, and baby potatoes together in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for minimal cleanup.
