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Easy Crispy Lemon Garlic Salmon with Asparagus

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A quick and healthy dinner recipe featuring crispy skin salmon fillets pan-seared with a bright lemon garlic sauce, served alongside roasted asparagus. Perfect for busy weeknights and adaptable to various dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 salmon fillets, skin-on, about 6 ounces (170g) each
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound/450g), trimmed
  • 1 large lemon, juiced and zested
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin if possible
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Small handful fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Rinse and trim woody ends from asparagus. Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 12–15 minutes, turning once halfway through.
  2. While asparagus roasts, pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Zest and juice the lemon, and mince the garlic.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When shimmering, carefully place salmon fillets skin-side down. Press gently with a spatula for 10 seconds to prevent curling.
  4. Cook salmon skin-side down for 5–7 minutes without moving until skin is golden and crisp. Flip fillets and cook for another 2–3 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily. Remove salmon from pan and set aside.
  5. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the pan and let it melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in lemon juice and add red pepper flakes if using. Stir quickly to combine and scrape up browned bits.
  6. Return salmon fillets to the pan briefly to coat with lemon garlic sauce. Plate salmon alongside roasted asparagus. Spoon extra sauce over the top and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat salmon dry thoroughly to ensure crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming. Press salmon fillets gently with a spatula when placing skin-side down to prevent curling. Use medium-high heat for best crispiness. Lemon garlic sauce is best added off heat to preserve brightness. For dairy-free, omit butter or substitute with coconut oil. Roasting asparagus on the skillet after salmon is an option to speed up cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, lemon garlic salmon, crispy salmon, asparagus, healthy dinner, quick dinner, pan-seared salmon, roasted asparagus

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/easy-crispy-lemon-garlic-salmon-with-asparagus-recipe-for-perfect-healthy-dinner/