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Quick One-Pan Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus

quick one-pan garlic butter salmon with asparagus - featured image
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A restaurant-quality, one-pan dinner featuring seared salmon and crisp-tender asparagus in a rich garlic butter sauce, ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs Salmon Fillets (wild-caught Atlantic or sockeye preferred)
  • 1 bunch Fresh Asparagus (medium thickness)
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 4–5 cloves Fresh Garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 large Lemon (juice and zest)
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped, flat-leaf)
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Snap off woody ends of asparagus and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  3. Place salmon in the pan skin-side down. Press gently to prevent curling. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until golden and releasing easily. Flip and cook 3-4 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Remove to a plate and tent with foil.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add asparagus to the same pan and sauté for 5-7 minutes, tossing occasionally, until tender-crisp.
  5. Push asparagus to the side. Add butter to the center of the pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for 60 seconds until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn.
  6. Toss asparagus into the garlic butter mixture. Squeeze lemon juice over everything and add lemon zest. Stir to coat.
  7. Return salmon to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure salmon is completely dry before searing to prevent steaming. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Garlic burns quickly, so keep it moving and reduce heat if it starts to brown too fast. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, asparagus, garlic butter, one-pan dinner, quick meals, healthy dinner, gluten-free, omega-3, weeknight dinner

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