Half-Baked Garlic Butter Salmon with Roasted Asparagus
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 (6 oz each) 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 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
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lb, trimmed asparagus spears
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 salmon fillets skin-side down on a lined baking sheet.
- 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.
- Step 3: Brush the garlic butter mixture generously over the salmon fillets.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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?
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 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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