One-Pan Salmon and Asparagus is a simple, 20-minute salmon dinner that comes together on a sheet pan. The lemon-garlic-herb butter melts over this baked salmon and asparagus as it bakes, and every bite is so flavorful. Don’t miss the quick video tutorial to see just how easy this is.

Salmon and asparagus baked on a sheet pan and garnished with parsley

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Helpful Reader Review

“Fantastic recipe. I have made this many times and is always well received and totally delicious.” – Rosebud ★★★★★

Easy Salmon and Asparagus Dinner

This one-pan salmon asparagus recipe is a reader and family favorite (read the glowing reviews below). The flavored butter here is gold. It is the same butter we use on our popular Lobster Tails recipe, and I even use it on my juicy Roast Turkey. It comes together quickly, and everything it touches always gets rave reviews.

Seriously, though, this salmon recipe is a must-try. Make it once and you’ll make it again and again. It’s just THAT good! Perfect for special occasions and easy enough for a busy weeknight – it’s delicious and looks so pretty on that baking dish. Make this, and you’ll impress your family.

Salmon and Asparagus Video


SO MUCH FLAVOR!! I hope you all love this easy dinner idea. I’d pass you a slice if I could because I really want you to discover this juicy salmon recipe! P.S. I’ve been making this salmon with 6 Tbsp butter instead of 8, and it works just as well, which is why the recipe states 6 Tbsp butter. 

flaky salmon served with a side of asparagus

How to Bake Salmon with Asparagus

This whole process takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. While it cooks, I like to start cooking white rice or make Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes to pair it with, so my side dish is ready to serve when the salmon comes out of the oven.

  • Prep – Preheat oven to 450˚F (set the rack in the top third of the oven – this gives the salmon some color). Line a large baking sheet with parchment (trim it to fit so it doesn’t burn).
  • Place salmon fillets in the center add asparagus on the sides. Drizzle asparagus with olive oil and roll to coat in the oil. Season both salmon and asparagus with salt and pepper.
  • Mash together the flavored butter ingredients in a small bowl until the lemon juice is incorporated (by hand with a fork, or use a small food processor or an immersion blender to speed up the process).
  • Finish and Bake – Spread most of the butter over salmon, dab the rest on asparagus. Top salmon with lemon slices and bake 10–12 min (depends on thickness). You can finish under the broiler for 2–3 min for a golden top. Bake until the salmon is flaky and cooked through. According to the USDA guidelines, it should reach a safe internal temperature of 145˚F on an instant-read thermometer.
How to bake salmon and asparagus with flavored butter on a sheet pan

Salmon is a smart choice for dinner because it has plenty of health benefits; rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and Selenium. I think salmon is the most satisfying protein, and it’s low carb, leaving you feeling full yet light at the same time. And this one is lip-smacking good!!

What to Serve with Salmon and Asparagus

There’s tons of flavor here, so I like to pair it with simple sides such as:

Up close slices of baked salmon with asparagus

P.S. Spoon some of those scrumptious pan juices over your salmon for even more amazing flavor! What is YOUR favorite way to enjoy salmon? 

Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus

4.97 from 204 votes
One-Pan Salmon Asparagus recipe with a lemon-garlic-herb butter. Every bite is so juicy and flavorful! A reader favorite, 20-minute salmon dinner. | natashaskitchen.com
A one-pan easy salmon dinner idea. The lemon-garlic-herb butter is GOLD!! It melts into the salmon and asparagus as it bakes and every bite is so flavorful.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 as a main course

For the Salmon and Asparagus:

  • 2 lbs salmon filet, cut into six – 6 oz portions
  • 2 lbs asparagus*, fibrous ends removed
  • Salt and black pepper, added to taste
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small lemon, sliced into rings for garnish

For the Lemon-Garlic-Herb Butter:

  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened (*see quick softening note)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, from 1 small lemon
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp salt, we used sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Prep – Preheat oven to 450˚F with oven rack in top third. Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, trimming the paper to just fit so it doesn't go over edges of pan (this prevents the paper from charring under broiler).
  • Place salmon filets in a row down the center of your lined baking pan. Arrange trimmed asparagus on the sides of the salmon. Drizzle asparagus lightly with olive oil and roll to coat. Sprinkle both asparagus and salmon with salt and pepper.
  • Make Flavored Butter – In a medium bowl, use a fork to mash together all ingredients for flavored butter. It takes a couple of minutes to come together but keep mashing and it will happen. You can also use a food processor for the job if you prefer. Spoon 3/4 of your flavored butter over the salmon and spread evenly (no need for perfection). Dab remaining butter mix over the asparagus.
  • Bake – Top each salmon filet with a slice of lemon and bake uncovered at 450˚F for 10-12 minutes (a thinner fillet will take 10 minutes and a larger fillet takes 12 minutes). Set the oven to BROIL and bake another 2-3 minutes to give the salmon a golden glow. Bake until salmon is flaky and cooked through with an internal temperature of 145˚F on an instant-read thermometer.

Notes

*Asparagus Note: this recipe is written for medium to thick asparagus. If your asparagus is thin, add it to the sheet pan halfway through baking or put it on a separate sheet pan so you can pull it out when it has reached your desired tenderness. 
*How to Speed-Soften Butter: Place wrapped stick of butter in airtight ziploc bag and submerge bag in warm (100˚F) water, placing a weight over the top so it doesn’t float. Let sit 10 -15 mins until softened.

Nutrition Per Serving

374kcal Calories8g Carbs34g Protein24g Fat9g Saturated Fat5g Polyunsaturated Fat8g Monounsaturated Fat0.5g Trans Fat113mg Cholesterol460mg Sodium1092mg Potassium4g Fiber3g Sugar1671IU Vitamin A22mg Vitamin C67mg Calcium5mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Sheet Pan Salmon and Asparagus
Amount per Serving
Calories
374
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
24
g
37
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
56
%
Trans Fat
 
0.5
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Cholesterol
 
113
mg
38
%
Sodium
 
460
mg
20
%
Potassium
 
1092
mg
31
%
Carbohydrates
 
8
g
3
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
34
g
68
%
Vitamin A
 
1671
IU
33
%
Vitamin C
 
22
mg
27
%
Calcium
 
67
mg
7
%
Iron
 
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: salmon and asparagus, Salmon Asparagus, sheet pan salmon and asparagus
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 374
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

More Easy Salmon Recipes

If you love salmon as much as I do, I know you’ll find new favorites in this list. These will keep your salmon dinner menus exciting:

 

4.97 from 204 votes (102 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Shannon Cottle
    December 10, 2020

    Made this tonight, it was so delicious 😋 the salmon came out so tender and flaky! Asparagus perfect! Paired it was a salad and we were happy as can be! 2 big thumbs up 👍🏻 👍🏻 Natasha! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 11, 2020

      So glad to hear that, Shannon. Thanks for your great review and feedback!

      Reply

  • Kasia
    November 4, 2020

    Hi Natasha!

    You are my go to for something fresh new recipes. I’m not doing any dairy right now, could I use Ghee in place of the butter?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 4, 2020

      Hi Kasia, I have not tried that substitution to advise but I do recommend reading through the recipe comments to see if another reader has a suggestion.

      Reply

    • Elisabeth
      December 30, 2020

      I made it with vegan butter!

      Reply

  • Mike Alkhatib
    October 24, 2020

    Best chef ever best of luck to you and keep up the fantastic work
    Big time fan

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 24, 2020

      Thank you for that wonderful compliment!

      Reply

  • Lynn
    October 2, 2020

    Wanting to know nutritional information on this

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 2, 2020

      Hi Lynn, Hi, we are slowly working through all of our recipes to add nutrition info but it is a time-consuming process as they have to be added one at a time. Thank you for being patient!

      Reply

  • Tonie Oja
    September 22, 2020

    Hi I’m getting ready to cook this. I have no lemon. Should I go get on or will it be flavorful without?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 22, 2020

      Hello Tonie, the lemon makes a lot of difference although I think it will still work without it but it won’t be as flavorful as it is with lemon.

      Reply

  • Nikki
    August 19, 2020

    Can you use frozen salmon fillets??

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 19, 2020

      Hi Nikki, yes but let the frozen salmon thaw first before using it for this recipe

      Reply

  • Galynn Wilkinson
    June 21, 2020

    This recipe is so good and easy to make. Made it for Father’s Day Dinner. It was a big hit.

    Thank you.
    Galynn
    Virginia

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 22, 2020

      You are very welcome! I am so happy that it was a big hit!

      Reply

  • Kathy
    June 17, 2020

    My favourite salmon recipe ever Simply Delicious!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 17, 2020

      So great to hear that this is your favorite salmon recipe, Kathy! Thanks for your nice review.

      Reply

  • Marieta
    June 12, 2020

    Hi Natasha, Thumbs up this is soooooo………delicious. My children loved it.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 12, 2020

      That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you so much for trying out this recipe.

      Reply

  • Shelah Selman
    June 1, 2020

    I have never in my 47 years made fish, other than fish sticks. I used this recipe and honestly, it was the best salmon I have ever had. Better than any restaurant salmon I’ve ever eaten. It was flaky and perfectly cooked and the flavor was amazing! Also, I’m not much of a cook so this was very easy and I surprised myself! Thanks for the recipe! 👍🏻

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 1, 2020

      You’re welcome! Thank you for trying out this recipe and I’m happy to know that you absolutely loved it!

      Reply

  • OAKLEY KELLER
    May 16, 2020

    WOW.. I learned so much from this recipe.
    You are right will do this again and again!
    The 450 degree guidance is critical to this delicous recipe!
    And I did not have parchment paper just spray on coconut oil.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 16, 2020

      Thank you for sharing that with us! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Tamara
    April 19, 2020

    We LOVE salmon and asparagus, and sheet pan meals are the best. This was the most amazing salmon I have made, and the butter/lemon mix was amazing on the asparagus.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 19, 2020

      Thank you for your amazing feedback, Tamara. I am so happy to read your comments!

      Reply

  • Debbie Kimmel
    April 13, 2020

    I want a splatter guard and a meat thermometer like you use, you say it’s in the notes but I don’t know where the notes are on the page

    Thanks
    Debbie

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 13, 2020

      Hello Debbie, you can check out the kitchen tools that I am using here in our Amazon Store. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Vivian Furlan
    April 3, 2020

    Fantastic.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 3, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Luci
    February 19, 2020

    Hi Natasha! Can’t wait to make this! Can you please link the garlic press you used…it looks really good! Thank you!

    Reply

  • Susan Ballesteros
    January 12, 2020

    hi, Natasha,

    where could one purchase the cutting board that you use in your videos?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 13, 2020

      Hi Susan, we have it in our Shop here. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Jamie
    January 6, 2020

    I don’t have parchment paper, can you use foil??

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 6, 2020

      Hi Jamie, from what I have read, acid is not a good idea with foil and may eat through the foil. It can potentially cause metals to leach from the foil which will contaminate the food.

      Reply

  • Carmen
    October 31, 2019

    I’ve made this twice now, really easy and super tasty.

    Regards

    Carmen
    South Africa

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 31, 2019

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Carmen! Thank you for that awesome review!

      Reply

  • Jessica
    October 11, 2019

    2nd time making and we love it! Thank you for giving us an amazing way to cook salmon. Mmmm

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 12, 2019

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Jessica

      Reply

  • Jeanene
    September 1, 2019

    I’m 53 years old and never fixed Salomon myself. Made this last night and it was awesome. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 2, 2019

      That’s just awesome!! I’m so glad you enjoyed that.

      Reply

    • Vina
      December 24, 2019

      Hi Natasha

      If I dont have parsley, can I substitute it with thyme or oregano instead?

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        December 24, 2019

        Hi Vina, a few readers have reported great results substituting with dill. I have not tested with thyme or oregano but that may work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe

        Reply

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