Best Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Perfectly seared salmon fillets with crispy skin, served alongside tender asparagus in a citrus-herb butter sauce. This is the best way to make salmon at home. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each, skin-on) salmon fillets, olive oil, salt 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.

★ 3.9 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then place salmon skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is crispy and golden.
  2. Step 2: Flip salmon and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add asparagus and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet, stirring until butter melts and sauce thickens slightly. Return salmon to the skillet, skin-side up, and cook for 1 minute to warm through. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill and serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Best Pan-Seared Salmon with 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 Best Pan-Seared Salmon with 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Best Pan-Seared Salmon with 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 Best Pan-Seared Salmon with 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 Best Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus?

Mediterranean 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes