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A healthy dinner recipe with salmon, fresh vegetables, and herbs on a plate.

Classic Healthy Dinner Recipe with Salmon

A healthy and delicious dinner featuring salmon and asparagus, perfect for a quick and nutritious meal. It offers options for pan-searing or baking the salmon.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 2 fillets
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 salmon fillets (6oz/170g), skin-on or off
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped (or parsley)
  • 1 cup asparagus trimmed
  • red pepper flakes or smoked paprika Optional: for seasoning

Equipment

  • Paper towel
  • Small bowl
  • Large non-stick or cast-iron skillet
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel.
  2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and fresh dill. Rub this mixture generously over both sides of the salmon fillets and let them rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
  3. While the salmon rests, prepare the asparagus by tossing it with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Cooking - Roasting Vegetables
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and roast the asparagus for 10-15 minutes until tender-crisp.
Cooking - Pan-Searing Salmon
  1. Heat a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-6 minutes until crispy, then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes until cooked through.
Cooking - Baking Salmon
  1. Alternatively, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the seasoned salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-18 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork.
Serving
  1. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cooked salmon and asparagus just before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to your seasoning mix. Adjust cooking times based on the thickness of your salmon fillets and your desired doneness.