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Easy Sheet Pan Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus – Best 20-Minute Dinner

sheet pan garlic butter salmon with asparagus - featured image
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A quick and easy sheet pan dinner featuring perfectly flaky salmon and tender-crisp asparagus coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes with minimal cleanup, this restaurant-quality meal is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
  • 1 pound asparagus, woody ends trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large lemon, sliced into thin rounds
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  2. Rinse the asparagus and pat it dry. Hold one spear at both ends and bend it gently to snap off the woody end. Use that as a guide and trim the rest of the bunch. Place the asparagus on one side of the prepared sheet pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
  3. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place the fillets on the other side of the sheet pan, skin-side down if they have skin. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sprinkle with the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, and paprika. Stir until well mixed.
  5. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the garlic butter mixture over the salmon fillets (use about three-quarters of the mixture on the salmon). Then brush the remaining mixture over the asparagus.
  6. Arrange the lemon slices around and on top of the salmon fillets.
  7. Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and the asparagus is tender-crisp. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) at the thickest part.
  8. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if using. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

For even cooking, choose salmon fillets of similar thickness. If fillets vary, check thinner ones early and remove if needed. Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure proper roasting. Let salmon rest 2 minutes after baking to redistribute juices. Use room temperature butter for easier melting. For dairy-free, substitute with olive oil or vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: sheet pan salmon, garlic butter salmon, easy salmon recipe, 20 minute dinner, one pan meal, salmon and asparagus, healthy dinner, quick weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/easy-sheet-pan-garlic-butter-salmon-with-asparagus-best-20-minute-dinner/