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Easy Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon: Best One-Pan Dinner

sheet pan lemon garlic butter salmon - featured image
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A quick and delicious one-pan salmon dinner with lemon garlic butter sauce and roasted asparagus, ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a healthy, restaurant-quality meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds salmon fillets (about 4 fillets, skin on or off)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed (about 1 pound)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Extra lemon zest, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Let salmon sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, dried dill, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  3. Rinse asparagus and snap off woody ends. Toss with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper on the sheet pan. Spread in a single layer on one side of the pan.
  4. Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Arrange skin-side down on the other side of the sheet pan, leaving space between each piece.
  5. Drizzle about two-thirds of the lemon garlic butter sauce over the salmon fillets. Use remaining sauce to drizzle over asparagus. Reserve a tiny bit for serving if desired.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Asparagus should be tender-crisp with browned edges.
  7. Optional: Switch oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes for golden brown edges. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Let salmon rest on the pan for 2-3 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, extra lemon zest, and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Do not overcook the salmon; pull it when just barely opaque in the center as carryover cooking will finish it. Pat salmon dry for better browning. Space fillets apart to avoid steaming. Mix garlic into butter first to prevent burning. Let salmon sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking for even cooking. Check thickness, not time—thicker fillets need up to 15 minutes, thinner ones may be done in 10.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan salmon, lemon garlic butter salmon, one-pan dinner, easy salmon recipe, healthy weeknight dinner, salmon and asparagus, quick salmon dinner

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-sheet-pan-lemon-garlic-butter-salmon-best-one-pan-dinner/