Elegant Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce and Roasted Asparagus
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this elegant pan-seared salmon, featuring a vibrant lemon-dill sauce and perfectly roasted asparagus. This meal is both sophisticated and simple to prepare, making it ideal for a special occasion or a delightful everyday dish.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Paper towels
- Large oven-safe skillet
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 (6 oz) salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus trimmed
Lemon-Dill Sauce
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss the trimmed asparagus with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 10-12 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
Cooking
- Heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the salmon fillets, skin-side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden.
- If using an oven-safe skillet, flip the salmon and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Otherwise, transfer salmon to the baking sheet with the asparagus and continue baking.
- While the salmon finishes, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine or vegetable broth, bring to a simmer, and cook until reduced by half (about 2-3 minutes).
- Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and chopped dill, then simmer gently for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving
- Arrange the roasted asparagus and pan-seared salmon on warm plates.
- Drizzle generously with the lemon-dill sauce and garnish with fresh lemon wedges.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the salmon in a bit of lemon juice and herbs for 15-20 minutes before searing. Ensure your skillet is hot enough before adding the salmon to achieve a perfectly crispy skin. If you prefer a richer sauce, you can increase the amount of heavy cream slightly.