Easy Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus Sheet Pan Dinner
A quick and healthy sheet pan dinner featuring tender, flaky salmon coated in garlic butter alongside crisp roasted asparagus. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces or 170 grams each), skin-on or skinless
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus (about 12 ounces or 340 grams), trimmed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 57 grams), softened
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15 ml)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped finely (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
- In a small bowl, mix the softened unsalted butter with minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Trim the asparagus by snapping off the tough ends. Arrange asparagus on one side of a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat.
- Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if skin-on) on the other side of the baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
- Spread the garlic butter mixture generously over the top of each salmon fillet.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness, until salmon flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender with slight crisp edges.
- Optionally, broil the asparagus for 2-3 minutes at the end for more caramelization.
- Serve immediately, spooning any buttery pan juices over the salmon and asparagus.
Notes
Let salmon sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking for even cooking. Use softened butter, not melted, to preserve garlic flavor. If asparagus spears are thick, roast them 5 minutes before adding salmon. Avoid overcrowding the pan for even roasting. Check salmon early to prevent overcooking. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan butter or olive oil. Optionally add red pepper flakes for heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with
- Calories: 350400
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: garlic butter salmon, sheet pan dinner, asparagus, healthy salmon recipe, quick dinner, easy salmon recipe, one pan meal