Pan-Seared Lemon Dill Salmon with Asparagus
Perfectly seared salmon fillets with bright lemon-dill flavor, served alongside tender roasted asparagus for a elegant yet simple dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, asparagus, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 12 oz asparagus
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Trim woody ends from 12 oz asparagus and toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper on a baking sheet.
- Step 2: Pat 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add salmon skin-side down. Sear for 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 4: Flip salmon, add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, and squeeze juice from 1 lemon over salmon. Add 2 tbsp fresh dill.
- Step 5: Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 8-10 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and reaches 125°F internal temperature.
- Step 6: Roast asparagus for 12-15 minutes until tender-crisp and lightly browned.
- Step 7: Serve salmon with asparagus, drizzling with pan juices and extra lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Lemon Dill Salmon with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Lemon Dill 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Lemon Dill 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 Lemon Dill Salmon with 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 Pan-Seared Lemon Dill 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better seafood dishes though.
