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Easy One-Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon and Asparagus

one-pan lemon garlic butter salmon and asparagus - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan meal featuring flaky salmon and tender-crisp asparagus in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressive entertaining with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), woody ends snapped off
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or dill for garnish (optional)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the ingredients: Let salmon sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Snap woody ends off asparagus. Mince garlic, zest and juice lemon.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. The pan is ready when a drop of water sizzles on contact.
  3. Sear the salmon: Place fillets skin-side down in the hot pan. Press gently with a spatula for a few seconds. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
  4. Flip salmon and cook for another 3-4 minutes until just cooked through (internal temperature 125-130°F for medium). Remove salmon and set aside.
  5. In the same pan, add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add asparagus in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until bright green and tender-crisp.
  6. Push asparagus to one side. Reduce heat to low. Add butter to the empty space. Once melted, add minced garlic and lemon zest. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Squeeze in juice of half the lemon and stir.
  7. Return salmon to the pan, nestling among asparagus. Spoon lemon garlic butter sauce over the top. Let warm through for 1 minute.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with extra sauce spooned over.

Notes

Pat salmon dry for crispy skin. Don’t crowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Garlic burns quickly—keep heat low and stir constantly. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork. For best results, use a large cast-iron skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, asparagus, one-pan, lemon garlic butter, quick dinner, healthy, low-carb, keto-friendly

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-one-pan-lemon-garlic-butter-salmon-and-asparagus/