Garlic Butter Salmon Asparagus (Printable)

Golden salmon fillets and asparagus in fragrant garlic butter, brightened with lemon and fresh herbs.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Fish & Seafood

01 - 4 salmon fillets (approximately 6 ounces each), skin-on or skinless

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
03 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Sauces & Fats

04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Aromatics & Seasonings

06 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Pat salmon fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until brightly colored and just tender. Transfer asparagus to a plate and keep warm.
03 - Add remaining olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet. Arrange salmon fillets skin-side down, if applicable. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the bottom is golden and crisp. Flip and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through.
04 - Add minced garlic, thyme, and the remaining butter to the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds, stirring, until aromatic. Spoon the infused butter over the salmon fillets.
05 - Add lemon slices and reserved asparagus to the pan. Toss gently to coat everything in the garlic butter and warm through for 1 minute.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle salmon and asparagus with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The whole kitchen will smell incredible before you even plate up: buttery, garlicky, irresistibly fresh.
  • Anytime you want the joy of a restaurant meal at home, this delivers without fuss or special skills.
02 -
  • The salmon will stick if you try to flip too soon; let the fish tell you when it’s ready—it releases naturally when the crust is set.
  • Lemon slices added at the end keep the sauce bright; I once added them too early, and the bitter pith crept in.
03 -
  • Letting the salmon rest for a minute after cooking makes every bite silkier and juicier.
  • Spoon the hot butter over the salmon repeatedly in the pan—the more you baste, the richer the flavor.
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