Healthy Romantic Dinner for Two Under 30 Minutes: Lemon Salmon
This Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon with Asparagus is the ultimate Healthy Romantic Dinner for Two Under 30 Minutes. It is elegant, low-carb, and cooks in a single pan for easy cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan Seared
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
2 (6 oz) Salmon Fillets, skin-on preferred
1 lb Fresh Asparagus, trimmed
2 tbsp Olive Oil, divided
1 tbsp Unsalted Butter (optional)
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Vegetable Broth or White Wine
1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tsp Lemon Zest
Salt and Black Pepper to taste
1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat salmon fillets completely dry. Season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon (skin-side down first) for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Flip and cook 2-4 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add remaining oil and asparagus. Sauté 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Move veggies to the side.
4. Pour in broth/wine to deglaze. Simmer 2 minutes. Stir in butter, lemon juice, and zest until sauce forms.
5. Return salmon to pan to warm through and coat with sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Wine Pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly.
Crispy Skin Tip: Press the salmon down gently when it first hits the pan to prevent curling.
Make it Vegan: Swap salmon for firm tofu steaks and use vegan butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Fillet + Veggies
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 85
Keywords: healthy romantic dinner, dinner for two, lemon salmon recipe