Lemon-Thyme Baked Salmon with Garlic Roasted Asparagus
Oven-baked salmon filets are infused with fresh lemon and thyme flavors alongside garlic roasted asparagus spears for a simple, elegant meal. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon filets, large, sliced into rounds lemon, fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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 filets
- 1 large, sliced into rounds lemon
- 8 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 lb, trimmed asparagus
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. On a large rimmed baking sheet, arrange 4 salmon filets skin-side down. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the salmon and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Top each filet with 2 lemon slices and 2 sprigs fresh thyme.
- Step 2: On one side of the baking sheet, spread 1 lb trimmed asparagus spears in a single layer. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and scatter 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves over the asparagus.
- Step 3: Bake salmon and asparagus in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and discard thyme sprigs from salmon if desired. Serve salmon filets alongside garlic roasted asparagus, garnished with additional lemon wedges if preferred.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Thyme Baked Salmon with Garlic Roasted Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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-Thyme Baked Salmon with Garlic 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 filets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Thyme Baked Salmon with Garlic 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 Lemon-Thyme Baked Salmon with Garlic 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.
What goes well with Lemon-Thyme Baked Salmon with Garlic Roasted Asparagus?
American 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.
