My Favorite Easy Salmon Recipe
Let me tell you about my go-to weeknight dinner. It is baked salmon and broccoli on one pan. You just toss everything together and walk away. I love how simple it is.
This sheet pan salmon dinner saves so much time. No piles of dishes to wash later. That matters a lot on busy nights. It means more time for stories at the table. What is your busiest weeknight for dinner?
Why One Pan is a Game Changer
I learned the value of simple meals long ago. One pan salmon and broccoli was a happy accident. I was tired and just put it all together. It turned out wonderfully.
This easy salmon recipe is more than just food. It is about making life a little easier. That matters. Good food should not be a big stress. *Fun fact: Cooking salmon with lemon keeps it nice and moist.*
Putting It All Together
First, coat your broccoli with a little oil. Push it to the edges of your pan. Now, place the salmon right in the middle. Doesn’t that look pretty already?
Top the salmon with thin lemon slices and little pats of cold butter. The butter will melt right into the fish. Give everything a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Do you prefer your salmon with the skin on or off?
The Magic in a Cold Oven
Here is the best trick. Put the whole pan into a cold oven. Then turn it to 400 degrees. The salmon and broccoli start cooking together slowly. I still laugh at how clever this is.
In about 20 minutes, your healthy weeknight dinner is ready. The salmon will flake with a fork. The broccoli gets a little crispy. Your whole kitchen will smell amazing. This 30 minute salmon dinner truly works.
More Than Just a Meal
This baked salmon recipe is a true family dinner recipe. It is healthy and fills everyone up. The lemon butter makes it feel special. But it is so easy to make any night.
Sharing a simple, tasty meal matters. It brings everyone to the table. That connection is the real secret ingredient. What is a simple meal your family loves to share?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon | 1 to 1.5 pounds | skin on or off |
| Broccoli crowns | 3 | cut into florets |
| Butter | 3-4 tablespoons | cold |
| Olive oil | 3 teaspoons | |
| Lemon | 1 | sliced thin |
| Salt & pepper | to taste |
Instructions
Step 1: First, get your broccoli ready. Toss the florets with olive oil on your sheet pan. Push them to the edges to make space. This makes a perfect spot for our salmon. I love how simple this sheet pan dinner is.
Step 2: Now, place your salmon in the center. Surround it with your broccoli. Top the salmon with thin lemon slices and butter. (Use cold butter so it melts slowly in the oven). Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Step 3: Put the whole pan into a cold oven. Then, set it to 400°F and bake. This easy salmon recipe cooks for about 20 minutes. Your baked salmon and broccoli is done when the fish flakes easily. What’s your favorite healthy weeknight dinner? Share below!
Creative Twists
Try these fun ideas for your one pan salmon and broccoli. Swap lemon for orange slices for a sweeter taste. Add a sprinkle of garlic powder over everything before baking. Try it with asparagus instead of broccoli next time. Which one would you try first? Comment below!
Serving & Pairing Ideas
This 30 minute salmon dinner is a complete meal. For extra flair, serve it over fluffy white rice. A simple side salad adds a fresh, crunchy bite. You could also sprinkle everything with fresh dill. It’s one of my favorite family dinner recipes. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Lemon Butter Salmon Fresh
Let’s talk about storing this easy salmon recipe. It makes a wonderful healthy weeknight dinner. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for two days. Just use a sealed container. The broccoli might get a little soft, but it still tastes good.
I remember my first time making a sheet pan salmon dinner. I was so proud. I wanted to save some for my neighbor. I wrapped a piece in foil and put it in the fridge. She loved it the next day! Storing food well means less waste and more shared meals.
You can also freeze the cooked salmon. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Then place it in a freezer bag. It will keep for about two months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Batch cooking this family dinner recipe saves so much time on busy nights.
To reheat, use your oven. Warm it at 275 degrees until just heated through. This keeps the salmon moist. The microwave can make it rubbery. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Kitchen Hiccups
Even simple recipes can have little problems. Do not worry. I have easy fixes for you. First, if your broccoli is not crispy, your pan might be too crowded. Spread the florets out in a single layer. This lets the hot air reach all sides.
I once forgot to pat my salmon dry. It steamed instead of getting a nice bake. Now I always use a paper towel. A dry fillet gets the perfect texture. This matters because good texture makes the meal feel special.
Second, if your lemon butter sauce seems thin, do not fret. Let the butter on top melt and mingle with the lemon juice. It makes its own simple sauce. Third, if the salmon skin sticks, start with a cold oven. The pan heats up slowly. This helps prevent sticking. This trick builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
What is the best way to cook salmon for lemon butter sauce?
The best way is this baked salmon recipe. You put butter and lemon right on the fillet. Then you bake everything on one pan. The salmon cooks gently in the oven’s heat. The butter melts into a lovely, simple sauce with the lemon juice. It is a foolproof 30 minute salmon dinner that always turns out tender and flavorful.
Can I use frozen salmon for lemon butter salmon?
Yes, you can use frozen salmon. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator first. This takes several hours or overnight. Pat the thawed fillet very dry with paper towels. This removes extra moisture. Then proceed with the recipe as written. This is a great tip for an easy salmon recipe you can make any night with what you have on hand.
What can I substitute for broccoli in this recipe?
Many vegetables work in this one pan salmon and broccoli dish. Try asparagus spears, green beans, or sliced zucchini. You can also use cauliflower florets or bell pepper strips. Just make sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces. Toss them with oil as you would the broccoli. They will roast beautifully alongside your baked salmon and broccoli.
How do you make lemon butter sauce from scratch?
This sheet pan dinner makes its own sauce. You place cold butter and thin lemon slices on the raw salmon. As it bakes, the butter melts. It mixes with the lemon juice and the salmon’s own juices. This creates a delicious, light sauce right in the pan. No extra pot needed. It is the easiest part of this healthy weeknight dinner.
What sides go well with lemon butter salmon?
This sheet pan salmon dinner is almost a full meal. I like to add a simple side. Serve it with fluffy rice, quinoa, or couscous. These grains soak up the lovely lemon butter sauce. A crisp green salad or some crusty bread also pairs perfectly. It rounds out your family dinner recipes for a complete and satisfying plate.
How do you keep salmon from sticking to the pan?
The key is to start with a cold oven. Do not preheat it. Place your pan in the cold oven. Then turn it to 400 degrees. The pan heats up slowly with the oven. This helps prevent the salmon skin from sticking. For skinless fillets, a light drizzle of oil on the pan first also helps. Which tip will you try first?
My Kitchen Wish for You
I hope you love this one pan salmon and broccoli. It is one of my favorite family dinner recipes. It brings everyone to the table with little fuss. *Fun fact: salmon gets its pink color from eating tiny shrimp!* Cooking should be joyful, not stressful.
I would love to hear about your cooking adventure. Did your family enjoy it? Did you try a different vegetable? Your stories make my day. Have you tried this recipe? Please tell me all about it in the comments below. I read every one.
Happy cooking!
—Danielle Monroe.
Lemon Butter Salmon with Roasted Broccoli
Description
A simple, elegant, and healthy one-pan meal featuring tender, buttery salmon with fresh lemon and perfectly roasted broccoli.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add broccoli florets to a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Spread broccoli to the outside of the pan to make room for the salmon.
- Add salmon fillet(s) to the center of the sheet pan, surrounded by the broccoli. Evenly add lemon slices and butter to the top of the salmon. Salt & pepper the whole pan to taste.
- Transfer to a cold oven. Heat oven to 400ºF. Bake 20 minutes until salmon is fully cooked/flakes easily apart with a fork, serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the salmon and broccoli are in a single layer on the pan. Starting in a cold oven helps the salmon cook gently and evenly.