Some evenings, you just need a meal that’s fast, flavourful, and nourishing without making a mess of the kitchen. This garlic butter salmon with asparagus has become one of my weeknight favourites—it looks elegant, tastes incredible, and is ready in only 25 minutes. Whether you’re following keto, low-carb, or simply love a wholesome fish supper, this one-pan recipe is a winner.
In This Post
Why You’ll Love This
This garlic butter salmon proves that low-carb eating can still be full of flavour and satisfaction.
Ingredients & Substitutions
You only need a handful of fresh staples to bring this garlic butter salmon together — plus a few easy swaps if you’d like to change up the flavour or keep it dairy-free.
Salmon fillets – About 170g (6oz) each. Fresh fillets give the best texture, but thawed frozen salmon works just as well.
Olive oil – Ideal for searing the salmon and helping it crisp. You can also use avocado oil for a more neutral taste.
Butter – The star of the garlic butter sauce. Swap for ghee if you need a dairy-free option.
Garlic – Freshly minced cloves bring the best flavour, but jarred minced garlic or garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
Asparagus – Tender-crisp and perfect with salmon. Try broccoli, zucchini, or green beans as easy substitutes.
Lemon juice – A splash brightens the whole dish. Lime juice works in a pinch.
Seasonings (paprika, salt & black pepper) – Add colour, warmth, and balance. Smoked paprika gives a bolder, richer flavour.
Fresh parsley – An optional garnish that adds freshness and colour to the finished plate.
How to Make It
With just a few easy steps, you’ll have buttery salmon and tender asparagus ready in under 25 minutes:
Season the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry with kitchen paper. Sprinkle both sides with paprika, salt, and black pepper to build flavour from the start.
Sear the Filets
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium–high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and almost cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
Make the Garlic Butter
In the same skillet, melt the butter (or ghee). Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.
Cook the Asparagus
Add the asparagus spears to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
Bring It All Together
Return the salmon to the skillet. Drizzle with lemon juice and spoon the garlic butter over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Tip: For an extra burst of flavour, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan over the asparagus just before serving.
Reheating & Storage
Recipe Tips
- Pat salmon dry – This helps the fillets sear beautifully and develop a golden crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Cook the salmon in batches if needed so each fillet cooks evenly.
- Use a cast-iron skillet – It holds heat well and gives the salmon the best sear.
- Make ahead – Season the salmon and trim the asparagus up to 24 hours in advance. Store them separately in the fridge so all you need to do at dinnertime is cook and assemble.
- Finish with freshness – A squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley just before serving lifts all the flavours.
Recipe Card
Garlic Butter Salmon with Asparagus
Description
This garlic butter salmon with asparagus is a one-pan keto-friendly supper that’s ready in just 25 minutes. Juicy salmon fillets are seared until golden, then finished in a garlicky butter sauce with tender asparagus. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a low-carb, high-protein meal that feels restaurant-worthy with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Prep the Salmon
Pat the salmon fillets dry and season both sides with paprika, salt, and black pepper. -
Give It a Good Sear
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium–high heat. Sear salmon for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside. -
Melt That Butter
In the same skillet, melt butter (or ghee). Add garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. -
Cook the Asparagus
Add asparagus to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. -
Bring It All Together
Return salmon to the skillet, drizzle with lemon juice, and spoon garlic butter over the fillets. -
Top It Off
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 430kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 29g45%
- Saturated Fat 10g50%
- Cholesterol 115mg39%
- Sodium 420mg18%
- Potassium 980mg29%
- Total Carbohydrate 4g2%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Protein 37g74%
- Iron 2.2 mg
- Net Carbs 3g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Use skin-on salmon if possible — it holds the fillet together during cooking and crisps nicely.
Check doneness with a fork — salmon should flake easily and be opaque in the centre.
Cooking for a crowd? Double the recipe but cook the salmon in batches so each piece sears properly.
Wine pairing – A dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay complements the garlic butter beautifully.
For extra richness, stir a splash of double cream into the garlic butter before adding the asparagus.
