Fresh Lemon Herb Grilled Salmon with Asparagus
A quick, easy, and healthy grilled salmon recipe marinated with fresh lemon and herbs, served with smoky grilled asparagus. Perfect for busy weeknights or light dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 skin-on salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves (or dill/basil as substitute)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 lb / 450 g), tough ends trimmed
- Salt and pepper to taste (kosher salt recommended)
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for extra heat
Instructions
- Rinse salmon fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, salt (about ½ tsp), and pepper (about ¼ tsp). Mix well to create marinade.
- Place salmon fillets skin-side down into the marinade, coating thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Trim tough ends off asparagus (about 1-2 inches from bottom). Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, pinch of salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot.
- Grill asparagus perpendicular to grates for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until tender-crisp with charred spots. Remove and keep warm.
- Place salmon skin-side down on grill. Cook 4-6 minutes without moving until edges turn opaque and skin crisps.
- Flip salmon carefully and cook another 3-4 minutes until just cooked through (internal temp ~125°F / 52°C for medium-rare).
- Remove salmon from grill and let rest for a couple of minutes.
- Plate salmon with grilled asparagus, drizzle remaining marinade or fresh lemon juice over top, and garnish with extra herbs if desired.
Notes
Do not marinate salmon longer than 15 minutes to avoid ‘cooking’ the fish with lemon juice. Keep skin on for better texture and to hold fish together. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Use a thermometer to check doneness (125°F for medium-rare). Let salmon rest before serving. Can broil salmon and roast asparagus if no grill is available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with
- Calories: 350400
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: grilled salmon, lemon herb salmon, healthy dinner, easy salmon recipe, grilled asparagus, quick dinner, gluten-free, paleo