Mediterranean Braised Lemon-Dill Salmon with Roasted Asparagus
Tender salmon fillets braised in a bright lemon-dill sauce with crisp-tender asparagus, finished with fresh herbs and a hint of garlic. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, tablespoons olive oil, (1 for juice, 1 for zest) lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 (1 for juice, 1 for zest) lemon
- 1/2 cup (divided) fresh dill
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 pound (trimmed) asparagus
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon (divided) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (divided) black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat salmon fillets dry and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over salmon, then squeeze juice of 1 lemon half over the fillets. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup fresh dill and 2 minced garlic cloves.
- Step 3: Place salmon in a baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: While salmon bakes, toss 1 pound trimmed asparagus with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread on a separate baking sheet and roast for 12 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth, remaining 1/4 cup fresh dill, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and zest of 1 lemon.
- Step 6: After 10 minutes, remove salmon from oven and pour sauce mixture over the fillets.
- Step 7: Return to oven and bake for 5 more minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 8: Remove asparagus from oven when crisp-tender (after 12 minutes), then serve immediately with salmon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mediterranean Braised Lemon-Dill Salmon with 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 Mediterranean Braised Lemon-Dill Salmon with 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 fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean Braised Lemon-Dill Salmon with 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 Mediterranean Braised Lemon-Dill Salmon with 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 Mediterranean Braised Lemon-Dill Salmon with Roasted 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.