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Easy Sheet Pan Salmon with Lemon Asparagus – Best 20-Minute Dinner

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This easy sheet pan salmon with lemon asparagus is the perfect weeknight dinner. It’s quick, simple, and requires only one pan for minimal cleanup, delivering perfectly flaky salmon and tender-crisp asparagus every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), woody ends snapped off
  • 2 large lemons (1 juiced, 1 sliced into thin rounds)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: fresh dill or parsley, red pepper flakes, flaky sea salt for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position the rack in the middle of the oven. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  2. Prepare the asparagus: Rinse and snap off woody ends. Arrange in a single layer on one side of the sheet pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to coat.
  3. Season the salmon: Pat fillets dry with paper towels. Place on the other side of the sheet pan, skin-side down if they have skin. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Rub minced garlic over the tops of the fillets.
  4. Add the lemon: Place a slice or two of lemon on each salmon fillet. Tuck a few slices among the asparagus spears. Squeeze the juice of the second lemon evenly over everything.
  5. Roast for 12-15 minutes. Start checking at 12 minutes. Salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Asparagus should be tender but still have a little resistance. For medium salmon, internal temperature should reach 125-130°F.
  6. Optional: For extra caramelization, switch the oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Let the salmon rest on the pan for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh dill or parsley, red pepper flakes, or extra lemon juice. Serve directly from the sheet pan.

Notes

Bring salmon to room temperature 15 minutes before cooking for even cooking. Don’t flip the salmon during roasting. Check thickness of fillets for cooking time adjustments. Don’t crowd the pan; use two pans if needed. For best results, use fresh garlic and fresh lemons.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan salmon, lemon asparagus, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, one-pan meal, healthy salmon recipe, quick dinner, 20-minute meal

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