Lemon-Butter Salmon & Asparagus for Two
Two salmon fillets and a bundle of asparagus roasted on one small pan with a garlicky lemon-butter sauce.
Pan: Quarter sheet pan (9×13-inch) or small baking dish
Why it works for two
Salmon is sold in individual fillets, which makes it one of the easiest proteins to buy for two — no leftovers you didn't plan for. A quarter sheet pan is the perfect size here; on a full-size pan the butter spreads out and burns.
Method
- Heat the oven to 425°F. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels.
- Toss the asparagus with the olive oil and a pinch of salt on the pan, then push it to the sides to make room for the fish.
- Place the salmon in the middle. Stir the melted butter, garlic, lemon zest and juice together and spoon most of it over the fillets; drizzle the rest over the asparagus. Season the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 12–14 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily and reaches 145°F in the thickest part.
- Sprinkle with herbs and serve with lemon wedges.
Skill spotlight: Roasting fish
How to tell when fish is done: press the top gently with a fork. When the flesh separates into flakes and looks opaque almost to the center, it's ready. An instant-read thermometer takes the guesswork out — aim for 145°F.
📏 Scaling & planning
- Cooking for one? Halve everything and use a small oven-safe skillet.
- For four, use a half sheet pan and add 2 minutes if the fillets are thick.
🥡 If there's any left
- Flake leftover salmon into a grain bowl with rice, cucumber and a soy-sesame dressing.
- Mix with a little mayo and lemon for a quick salmon salad sandwich.
Want to learn more techniques? Visit our kitchen skills guide.
More dinners for two
Garlic Shrimp Scampi for Two
Plump shrimp in a buttery garlic-lemon sauce tossed with linguine — restaurant-style dinner in about 20 minutes.
Skillet Chicken Marsala for Two
Tender chicken cutlets in a savory mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. Comfort-food classic, scaled for a small table.
Glazed Mini Meatloaves for Two
Two individual meatloaves with a tangy ketchup glaze, roasted alongside potatoes. All the comfort, a fraction of the time.