Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Roasted Asparagus
Perfectly seared salmon fillets bathed in a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce, paired with tender roasted asparagus for a simple yet elegant dinner. This american-inspired keto (low carb, gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each) Salmon fillets, trimmed Asparagus, Olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1 lb, trimmed Asparagus
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1, zested and juiced Lemon
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped Fresh dill
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange 1 lb trimmed asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Roast for 12-15 minutes until tender and slightly charred at the tips.
- Step 2: Pat 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add salmon skin-side down and sear for 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 3: Flip salmon, add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill to the skillet, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Squeeze in juice from 1 lemon and add 2 tbsp butter. Swirl to melt butter and coat salmon, cooking for 2 more minutes until salmon reaches 125°F (medium-rare).
- Step 4: Plate salmon with roasted asparagus, drizzling with lemon-garlic butter sauce from the skillet.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Roasted 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 Butter and Roasted 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 Salmon with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Roasted 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 Butter and Roasted 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 Butter and Roasted Asparagus low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb, gluten-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
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order american delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
