Half-Baked Garlic Butter Salmon with Roasted Asparagus

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

Salmon fillets baked halfway in a savory garlic butter sauce paired with tender roasted asparagus for a simple elegant dinner. This american-inspired seafood (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs salmon fillets, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 salmon fillets skin-side down on a lined baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: Melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  3. Step 3: Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the salmon fillets.
  4. Step 4: Toss 1 lb trimmed asparagus spears with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Arrange the asparagus evenly around the salmon on the baking sheet.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 12 minutes, then switch oven to broil and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until salmon is cooked through and asparagus tips are slightly charred. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Baked Garlic Butter Salmon with Roasted Asparagus take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Half-Baked Garlic Butter Salmon with Roasted 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 Half-Baked Garlic Butter Salmon with Roasted 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 Half-Baked Garlic Butter Salmon with Roasted 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.

Is Half-Baked Garlic Butter Salmon with Roasted Asparagus low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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