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Easy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Asparagus

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This Easy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon with Asparagus is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. The garlic butter creates a rich, savory coating on the salmon while the asparagus soaks up all the goodness from the pan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each, about 170g)
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 lb, 450g)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (56g)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
  • 1 lemon (for juice and slices)
  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
  • Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Prepare the asparagus: rinse and snap off woody ends. Place on baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Spread in a single layer on one side of the pan.
  3. Make the garlic butter: in a small saucepan over low heat (or microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds), melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add minced garlic and stir. Let sit for about a minute.
  4. Prepare the salmon: pat fillets dry with paper towels. Place on the other side of the baking sheet, skin-side down. Season generously with salt, pepper, and paprika if using.
  5. Brush the salmon: generously brush garlic butter over each fillet, including sides. Reserve any remaining butter for drizzling later.
  6. Add lemon slices: thinly slice half the lemon and place 2-3 slices on each fillet. Squeeze remaining lemon half over the asparagus.
  7. Bake: place sheet pan in preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
  8. Broil for extra color (optional): switch oven to broil for last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
  9. Rest and serve: remove pan from oven and let rest 2-3 minutes. Discard lemon slices, garnish with fresh parsley and a final squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan; give salmon space to roast. Bring salmon to room temperature 15-20 minutes before cooking for even cooking. Watch garlic carefully under broiler to avoid burning. Use a thermometer for perfect doneness. Thicker asparagus may need a 5-minute head start in the oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter salmon, baked salmon, asparagus, sheet pan dinner, easy salmon recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon

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