Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter and Asparagus
A simple keto meal of tender salmon fillets pan-seared to perfection, topped with a zesty lemon butter sauce, served alongside crisp asparagus. This American-inspired keto recipe (low-carb), ready in about 23 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, asparagus spears, butter 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 low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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
- 12 spears, trimmed asparagus spears
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 salmon fillets and season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Remove salmon and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 12 trimmed asparagus spears and sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove asparagus and keep warm.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tablespoons butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice to the skillet. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until butter melts and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Return salmon and asparagus to the skillet, spoon lemon butter sauce over the top, and cook for an additional minute to combine flavors. Serve immediately.







