Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Buttered Asparagus
Flaky salmon fillets baked with fresh dill and lemon, served atop a bed of herb-buttered asparagus for a bright, elegant weeknight dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs skin-on salmon fillets, chopped fresh dill, thinly sliced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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, skin-on salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 10 oz, trimmed asparagus
- 2 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place asparagus on a baking sheet; toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/8 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper. Roast for 12 minutes until tender-crisp and edges are slightly charred.
- Step 2: Pat salmon dry; place skin-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with half the dill, lemon slices, and remaining dill. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Bake salmon for 12-14 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 125°F for medium.
- Step 4: While salmon bakes, whisk melted butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley in a small bowl. Drizzle over roasted asparagus and toss gently until coated and glossy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Buttered Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Salmon with Herb-Buttered 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 skin-on salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Buttered 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 Salmon with Herb-Buttered 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 Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Buttered 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
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.