Lemon-Thyme Baked Salmon with Garlic Roasted Asparagus

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 370 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

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.

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