Juicy Foil-Wrapped Salmon with Asparagus & Garlic Butter Recipe

Seafood enthusiasts often seek out salmon wrapped in foil with asparagus and garlic butter sauce that delivers maximum flavor in minimal time.

This elegant dish combines rich, buttery salmon with tender green spears and a luxurious sauce.

The recipe promises a restaurant-quality meal you can craft in your own kitchen.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of delicate fish and aromatic garlic notes.

Quick and straightforward preparation makes this dinner perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Simple ingredients come together to create a memorable dining experience.

Let this salmon recipe become your new go-to solution for an impressive and delectable meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 4

Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus and Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients

• Salmon Fillet: Wild-caught varieties offer richer flavor and more omega-3 nutrients, with firmer texture perfect for baking.
• Aluminum Foil: Heavy-duty sheets create a steamy, sealed environment ensuring tender and juicy salmon during cooking.

• Asparagus Spears: Fresh spring or thick stalks provide crisp texture and earthy undertones, selecting bright green bundles with tight tips ensures best quality.

• Butter: Unsalted European-style butter delivers deeper, richer taste with smoother melting properties.
• Garlic: Fresh cloves create more vibrant, robust flavor compared to pre-minced versions, selecting firm bulbs without sprouts guarantees maximum pungency.
• Lemon: Bright citrus adds zesty freshness, choosing firm, heavy fruits indicates juicier segments.
• Fresh Herbs (Dill or Parsley): Delicate green herbs introduce aromatic complexity, selecting perky, vibrant leaves signals peak freshness.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Kosher or sea salt provides cleaner seasoning, while freshly ground black pepper releases more intense, complex notes.

Tools That Help You Wrap and Bake With Ease

• Large baking sheet: Provides sturdy surface for cooking and easy oven transfer.
• Aluminum foil: Essential for creating individual packet meals and sealing in flavors.
• Sharp kitchen knife: Needed for slicing garlic and trimming asparagus ends.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for ingredient preparation.
• Mixing bowl: Used for combining butter, garlic, and seasonings.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure herbs and seasonings.
• Pastry brush (optional): Useful for spreading garlic butter evenly over salmon.

How to Bake Salmon in Foil With Garlic Butter and Asparagus

• Prepare Your Cooking Station

Grab large sheets of aluminum foil and preheat the oven to a sizzling 400°F, creating the perfect warm environment for your delicious seafood adventure.

• Create Flavor Pockets

Lay out each foil sheet and nestle a salmon fillet right in the center, surrounding it with tender asparagus spears like a delectable green frame.

• Craft the Magical Garlic Butter Sauce

Whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of herbs to drench your fish with an explosion of mouthwatering flavors.

• Wrap and Seal the Treasure

Carefully fold the foil edges, creating a sealed packet that will trap all the incredible aromas and ensure your salmon stays incredibly moist and juicy.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide your flavor-packed parcels into the hot oven and let them cook for about 12-15 minutes, allowing the salmon to transform into a flaky, succulent masterpiece.

• Serve and Celebrate

Unwrap each packet with a flourish, releasing a burst of tantalizing steam, and plate your salmon alongside the beautifully roasted asparagus for a restaurant-worthy meal.

Add Lemon, Dill, or Chili for Flavor Boosts

• Moisture Magic: Wrap salmon loosely in foil to trap steam, ensuring a perfectly tender and flaky texture without drying out the fish.
• Herb Boost: Sprinkle fresh dill, parsley, or chives on top just before serving to add a bright, fresh flavor that complements the rich salmon.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Low-Carb Love: Salmon and asparagus create a protein-packed, low-carb meal that's perfect for keto and paleo diet followers.
• Vegetable Swap: Replace asparagus with other seasonal vegetables like zucchini, green beans, or brussels sprouts for variety and year-round enjoyment.

Serve Straight From the Foil With a Side of Crusty Bread

• Elegant Dinner Plate Presentation: Carefully transfer the baked salmon onto a pristine white plate, artfully arranging asparagus spears alongside, then drizzle remaining garlic butter sauce in an elegant zigzag pattern.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh dill or parsley over the salmon to add bright color, vibrant flavor, and a professional chef-like touch that elevates the entire dish's visual appeal.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Side Companion: Serve with a quick lemon-herb couscous or quinoa salad that complements the salmon's rich flavors, creating a balanced and nutritious meal that feels both gourmet and comforting.
• Wine Pairing Recommendation: Select a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, whose light, citrusy notes will beautifully enhance the delicate fish and garlic butter sauce without overwhelming the dish's subtle flavors.

Store Without Drying Out That Tender Fish

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover salmon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator's coldest section.
• Freezing Smart: Wrap cooled salmon tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, which allows safe storage up to 3 months without losing flavor quality.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm refrigerated salmon in the oven at 275F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Meal Prep Genius: Prepare multiple salmon packets in advance, storing uncooked foil-wrapped portions in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Succulent Salmon In Foil With Asparagus And Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Delectable baked salmon in foil brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Garlic butter sauce and tender asparagus complement the salmon’s rich, flaky texture for a memorable meal you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

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• 4 salmon fillets (6 oz/170 g each)
• 1 lb/450 g asparagus, trimmed
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 tsp honey (optional, for balance)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Layer individual foil sheets on a baking sheet, creating spacious packets capable of fully encasing salmon and asparagus with room for steam circulation.
2. Salmon Placement: Center salmon fillets on foil sheets, artfully surrounding them with asparagus spears to ensure uniform cooking and aesthetic presentation.
3. Seasoning: Generously coat salmon with salt, pepper, and herbaceous seasonings, distributing flavors comprehensively across the fish’s surface.
4. Sauce Creation: Craft a luxurious garlic butter sauce by melting butter and infusing it with minced garlic and vibrant lemon zest, developing a robust flavor profile.
5. Sauce Application: Methodically drench salmon and asparagus with the aromatic garlic butter sauce, guaranteeing complete flavor coverage and moisture retention.
6. Packet Sealing: Meticulously fold and crimp foil edges, creating sealed packets that trap steam while allowing minimal expansion for even cooking.
7. Oven Positioning: Arrange foil packets in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring consistent heat distribution throughout the cooking process.
8. Roasting: Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until salmon becomes flaky, translucent, and fully cooked through.
9. Resting and Serving: Allow packets to rest briefly after removing from oven, then carefully open and plate the salmon and asparagus, preserving the dish’s aromatic essence.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Salmon: Select high-quality, fresh salmon fillets with vibrant color and minimal fishy odor for the best flavor and texture.
• Perfect Foil Technique: Create a loose but sealed packet to allow steam circulation while preventing moisture loss, ensuring tender and juicy salmon.
• Herb and Seasoning Balance: Use a light hand with herbs and salt, allowing the salmon’s natural flavor to shine through without overwhelming the delicate fish.
• Cooking Time Precision: Watch carefully during the 12-15 minute cooking window, as salmon can quickly become dry if overcooked – look for a slight translucent center and easy flaking.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg