Baked Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon with Tender Asparagus

Tender, flaky salmon fillets coated in a rich lemon garlic butter glaze and roasted alongside crisp-tender asparagus make for an effortless, restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin-on or skinless)

• 1 lb fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (plus extra lemon wedges for serving)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus extra to taste)

• 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

• 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep: Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greased aluminum foil.

2. Season the Asparagus: Arrange the trimmed asparagus on one side of the baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and toss directly on the pan until evenly coated. Spread them into a single layer.

3. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels on all sides—this ensures the butter glaze adheres and allows the edges to roast cleanly. Place the fillets flesh-side up next to the asparagus.

4. Mix the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.

5. Sauce and Bake: Generously spoon the lemon garlic butter mixture over each salmon fillet, letting the excess run over the asparagus. Roast in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and registers an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) at its thickest point.

6. Finish and Serve: If you prefer a golden crust, switch the oven to high broil for the final 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.

Chef's Tips

• Even Thickness: Choose center-cut salmon fillets of uniform thickness so that all portions cook evenly in the same time frame.

• Asparagus Thickness: If using pencil-thin asparagus, check them around the 10-minute mark; for thicker spears, the full 15 minutes will yield the ideal tender-crisp texture.