It Is Best: Lemon-Dill Salmon with Asparagus
A bright and healthy dish featuring flaky salmon and crisp asparagus, finished with a zesty lemon-dill sauce. This scandinavian-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs each (4 fillets) salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces asparagus, large lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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 oz each (4 fillets) salmon fillets
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces asparagus
- 1 large lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped dill
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 12-15 minutes until tender.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp melted butter, and 1 tbsp chopped dill. Set aside.
- Step 3: Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Place on the baking sheet. Brush with remaining 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 4: Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is flaky and just cooked through. Drizzle with lemon-dill sauce and serve with asparagus.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does It Is Best: Lemon-Dill Salmon with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 It Is Best: Lemon-Dill 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 large lemon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in It Is Best: Lemon-Dill 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 It Is Best: Lemon-Dill 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 It Is Best: Lemon-Dill Salmon with Asparagus?
Scandinavian 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better general dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
