Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Asparagus
Tender salmon fillets seared until crisp, served atop perfectly roasted asparagus with a bright lemon-garlic finish. This american-inspired seafood (gluten-free, dairy-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz) salmon fillets, avocado oil, minced garlic cloves 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) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 lb, tough ends trimmed asparagus
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place asparagus on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp avocado oil, and season with 1/4 tsp sea salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper; toss to coat. Roast for 12 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon fillets with 1/4 tsp sea salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 3: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer salmon to a plate, then add lemon slices and dill to the skillet, cooking for 1 minute to infuse. Pour the lemon-garlic sauce over salmon and asparagus.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Salmon with Lemon-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 (6 oz) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-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-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Garlic 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.
Is Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Asparagus gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
