Oven-Roasted Lemon Herb Salmon with Asparagus

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

Tender salmon fillets oven-roasted with lemon, garlic, and herbs, served alongside crisp asparagus spears. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, lemon, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) in the center of a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brush half the mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
  3. Step 3: Arrange 1 lb trimmed asparagus spears around the salmon on the baking sheet. Drizzle the remaining olive oil and herb mixture over the asparagus. Season asparagus with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Top each salmon fillet with 3-4 thin lemon slices.
  5. Step 5: Roast in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender-crisp.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and serve immediately, garnishing with additional fresh parsley if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Roasted Lemon Herb Salmon with 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 Oven-Roasted Lemon Herb Salmon with Asparagus?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Lemon Herb 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 Oven-Roasted Lemon Herb Salmon with 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 Oven-Roasted Lemon Herb 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.

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