Skillet Lemon-Butter Salmon Asparagus (Printable View)

Salmon and asparagus cooked in a zesty lemon-butter sauce, offering a fresh citrus flavor for a quick dinner.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Fish & Vegetables

01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skin-on or skinless
02 - 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed

→ Citrus & Aromatics

03 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

05 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1/2 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

10 - Lemon slices for serving
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels; season both sides with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove and cover to keep warm.
03 - Add remaining olive oil to skillet. Place salmon skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until skin is crispy and bottom is golden.
04 - Turn salmon fillets over. Add remaining butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, spooning the lemon-butter sauce over salmon as it cooks.
05 - Pour in lemon juice and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until salmon is cooked through and sauce is glossy.
06 - Return asparagus to skillet, nestling around salmon. Warm through for 1 minute.
07 - Plate immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • Bright citrus flavor
  • Cozy dinner in 30 minutes
02 -
  • For extra flavor add a splash of white wine to the pan with the lemon juice
  • Substitute green beans or broccolini for asparagus if desired
03 -
  • Make sure the skillet is hot before adding salmon to get crispy skin
  • Spoon the lemon-butter sauce over salmon while cooking for extra flavor
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