Lemon-Dill Herb Crusted Salmon with Asparagus
Pan-seared salmon fillets with a zesty herb crust, served alongside tender asparagus spears for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, chopped fresh dill, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 bunch (12 oz) asparagus
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place 1/4 cup all-purpose flour in a shallow dish and coat each fillet evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon, seasoned-side down, and cook for 3 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for 1 more minute.
- Step 3: Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill and 1 tbsp lemon zest over salmon, pressing gently to adhere.
- Step 4: Place 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed) around salmon in the skillet. Return to medium heat and cook for 8 minutes, flipping asparagus halfway, until asparagus is tender-crisp and salmon reaches 125°F internal temperature.
- Step 5: Remove salmon and asparagus from skillet. Drizzle with 1 tbsp lemon juice and serve immediately with additional dill for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Dill Herb Crusted Salmon with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Lemon-Dill Herb Crusted 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Dill Herb Crusted 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 Lemon-Dill Herb Crusted 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 Lemon-Dill Herb Crusted 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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
