Pan-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter and Garlic Asparagus

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

Salmon fillets pan-roasted until crisp on the outside and tender inside, topped with a zesty lemon-dill butter, served alongside garlic sautéed asparagus. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin on salmon fillets, salt, black pepper 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 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until smooth; set aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until skin is crisp.
  4. Step 4: Flip salmon and cook for an additional 3 minutes until just cooked through and flakes easily.
  5. Step 5: Remove salmon from skillet and immediately top each fillet with half of the lemon-dill butter to melt.
  6. Step 6: In the same skillet, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb trimmed asparagus. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is tender-crisp and garlic is fragrant.
  7. Step 7: Serve salmon alongside garlic asparagus, spooning any melted lemon-dill butter over the asparagus.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter and Garlic 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 Pan-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter and Garlic 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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter and Garlic 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 Pan-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter and Garlic 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 Pan-Roasted Salmon with Lemon-Dill Butter and Garlic 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.

Related recipes