Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus
Flaky salmon fillets with a rich garlic-butter glaze, paired with tender asparagus spears for a restaurant-quality dinner. This pacific northwest-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs salmon fillets, asparagus, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 8 oz salmon fillets
- 1 cup asparagus
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp dill
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim woody ends from 1 cup asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add asparagus, and cook for 6-7 minutes until crisp-tender with slight char, flipping halfway.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, season 8 oz salmon fillets with salt and pepper. In a separate skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Place salmon skin-side down in the skillet, pressing gently with a spatula to ensure even contact. Cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crispy, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until opaque and flaky at the thickest part.
- Step 4: Remove salmon and asparagus. Stir 1 tsp fresh dill and 1 tbsp lemon juice from 1/2 lemon into the garlic butter sauce, then spoon over salmon and asparagus just before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (12 min prep + 10 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 Garlic Butter 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 salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Butter 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 Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus?
Pacific Northwest 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
