Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Oven-baked salmon fillets seasoned with bold Cajun spices, paired with tender asparagus tossed in garlic butter. This seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, olive oil, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 International cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Cajun spice blend.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the salmon and rub the Cajun spice blend evenly on all sides.
  3. Step 3: Arrange 1 lb trimmed fresh asparagus spears alongside the salmon on the baking sheet.
  4. Step 4: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is cooked through (internal temperature 145°F) and asparagus is tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: While baking, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  6. Step 6: Remove salmon and asparagus from oven, drizzle garlic butter over the asparagus, and serve salmon with 4 lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus?

International seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes