Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus
Tender salmon fillets pan-seared in garlic butter served alongside crisp asparagus spears for a wholesome keto dinner. This american-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs spears asparagus spears, trimmed, tablespoons unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 2 fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets, skin on
- 12 spears asparagus spears, trimmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Place the salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden. Flip and cook an additional 3 minutes until salmon is just cooked through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 12 trimmed asparagus spears, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss asparagus in the garlic butter and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 6: Squeeze 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice over the asparagus and salmon, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Garlic Butter 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 Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with 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 tablespoons unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Garlic Butter 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 Pan-Seared Garlic Butter 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.
Is Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
