Garlic Butter Salmon Asparagus (Printable format)

Pan-seared salmon with garlic butter and tender asparagus, finished with herbs and lemon for a vibrant meal.

# What You Need:

→ Fish & Seafood

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

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 lb 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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat salmon fillets dry and season both sides 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 just tender. Remove asparagus and set aside.
03 - Add remaining olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Place salmon fillets skin-side down if using skin-on and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip fillets and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until just cooked through.
04 - Add minced garlic, thyme, and remaining butter to the pan. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, spooning melted butter over the salmon.
05 - Add lemon slices and cooked asparagus to the skillet, tossing gently to coat with garlic butter sauce.
06 - Remove from heat. Garnish salmon and asparagus with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The garlic butter sauce delivers the kind of flavor punch that secretly makes you reach for a second serving.
  • It's quick enough for busy evenings but feels fancy enough to impress guests or treat yourself.
02 -
  • I learned to always dry the salmon thoroughly—otherwise, it never gets that satisfying golden sear.
  • The biggest difference came the day I squeezed extra lemon into the pan, which lifted the flavors and balanced the richness.
03 -
  • Always let salmon come to room temperature before cooking—it prevents uneven doneness.
  • The magic is in spooning the garlic butter over each fillet as it finishes cooking—it keeps the flesh moist and flavorful.
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