Baked Cajun-Spiced Salmon with Garlic Butter Asparagus
Oven-baked salmon fillets seasoned with bold Cajun spices, paired with tender asparagus tossed in garlic butter. This general-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb, trimmed fresh asparagus spears
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 wedges, for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 3: Arrange 1 lb trimmed fresh asparagus spears alongside the salmon on the baking sheet.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
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?
General 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.
