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Quick Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus: Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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This quick garlic butter salmon with asparagus is a fast, one-pan meal that comes together in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features perfectly flaky salmon and tender-crisp asparagus in a rich, savory garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each, skin on or off)
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound, trimmed)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients first. Take the salmon out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature while you prep. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus. Mince the garlic, zest and juice the lemon, and chop the parsley if using. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Start the salmon. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted and is starting to foam, carefully place the salmon fillets in the skillet, skin-side down if using skin-on fillets. Press gently with a spatula for about 5 seconds to ensure good contact. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving them.
  3. Flip and finish the salmon. Carefully flip the fillets using a fish spatula. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the minced garlic to the pan, swirling to combine. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, basting the salmon with the garlic butter as it cooks. The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 125°F for medium, or 135°F for well-done.
  4. Cook the asparagus. Push the salmon to one side of the skillet or transfer it to a plate and tent with foil. Add the asparagus to the pan with the remaining garlic butter. Cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs, until the spears are bright green and tender-crisp. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and squeeze half the lemon juice over the top.
  5. Finish and serve. Return the salmon to the pan if you moved it. Squeeze the remaining lemon juice over everything and sprinkle with lemon zest. Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, let salmon sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cooking. Pat fillets dry thoroughly to ensure a good sear. Don’t crowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. If garlic starts to brown too quickly, reduce heat to prevent bitterness. Asparagus should be bright green and tender-crisp, not limp.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter salmon, salmon with asparagus, quick salmon dinner, 20-minute meal, one-pan salmon, easy salmon recipe, weeknight dinner, healthy salmon, low-carb salmon, gluten-free salmon

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/quick-garlic-butter-salmon-with-asparagus-easy-20-minute-dinner/