Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus

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Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Calories
300

This Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus could not be easier to make. Succulent tender Salmon on a bed of asparagus covered in a lemon garlic butter sauce then topped with lemon slices and baked in a foil packet for one complete dinner with no mess!

Looking for more salmon recipes? This Garlic Butter Baked Salmon recipe is one of my family’s favorites!

Easy Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus

Salmon Recipes are one of my go to recipes to make for our family in the week. Not only do I love it, the kids do to and I know I’m giving them something healthy. 

Usually I bake or grill salmon. But guys, I don’t know why I don’t do foil packets more often! It allows all the flavors to cook together in a small area for a while, which creates maximum flavor on the other end. But the piece de resistance to foil packet meals is the clean up is a snitch! Woohoo!!!!

I’m all about no dishes, especially because most of the time my kitchen has a mound of dishes, pots, pans, and cutting boards in it!

This Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus is elegant, simple to make, healthy, and loaded with fresh citrus and herb flavor. I guarantee it will become a family favorite, plus it’s a perfect meal for those quick weeknight dinners and fancy enough for company! We have eaten this meal as is or some of our favorite things to add to it are a Classic Wedge Salad with Light Blue Cheese Dressing, Garlic Ranch Potatoes or a Springtime Creamy Farro Salad.

salmon and asparagus in a foil packet

Recipe Ingredients

This is such a no fuss recipe you’ll absolutely love it! Everything is made in one tin foil pocket for flavor infusion and easy cleanup. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus.

  • Salmon
  • Asparagus
  • Fresh Lemon
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Butter
  • Honey
  • Spices: smoked paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, pepper and salt

asparagus and salmon in foil at various stages of preparation

How to Pick Salmon

The biggest part to remember when selecting fish from the grocery store is to go to the fish market for the freshest. Then take a good look at the skin should be clear and bright, not sunken or cloudy. It should be firm to the touch and NOT smell the fish! If it has any of these things, select a different piece of salmon.

baked salmon with asparagus in a foil packet

How to Bake Salmon in Foil

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Create a pocket with 4 sheets of tin foil. Place on a baking sheet.
  3. Evenly distribute asparagus spears among the 4 packets. Season with salt & pepper.
  4. Place salmon on top of the asparagus.
  5. In a small bowl, add garlic, mustard, butter, honey, lemon zest, smoked paprika, thyme red pepper flakes, pepper and salt. Stir together.
  6. Pour mixture over each salmon and gently rub in.
  7. Next place two slices of lemon on each salmon.
  8. Close the foil packet up.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes.Turn broiler on. 
  10. Open foil packets to expose salmon and broil uncovered for 1 minute.

How Long to Bake Salmon

When Salmon is wrapped in foil, it will typically take between 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F. However, if you are baking individual salmon fillets in a baking dish it will take between 10 to 14 minutes at 400°F. A side plain side of salmon, baked on a baking sheet uncovered will take between 15 to 20 minutes at 400° F.

three tin foil packets with baked salmon and asparagus

Is it better to cook salmon covered or uncovered?

Cooking fish can be tricky business at time. Too high or too low of a temperature will dry it out quickly, unless you keep a constant eye on it. Usually cooking salmon covered will help the fish retain its moisture and speeds up the cooking time. I usually use a tin foil tent as opposed to a covered baking dish.

Do you wrap salmon in foil when baking?

Yes, essentially. You are making a pocket for the salmon to almost steam and cook in while in the oven. I usually measure my salmon with the tinfoil then pull out a sheet that is double to triple the size so I have enough tin foil to cover salmon and asparagus to make a pocket.

What are the benefits of baking salmon in foil?

Want to feel like the best cook on earth that pleases all the humans in your house while not being a hot mess in the process –> Easy Baked Salmon Recipes to the rescue! These recipes are honestly my go-to when I need something in a pitch. It’s ridiculously simple to make, so flavorful and so healthy for you too. So what are the benefits of baking salmon in foil?

  1. Easy Cleanup. And all the moms said Amen.
  2. Steaming affect. The foil locks in moisture. So instead of a dry overcooked piece of salmon, the foil helps guarantee that you end up with a flaky, moist, and tender piece of salmon every time.
  3. It’s a flavor chamber. Whatever ingredients you place in the foil packet with the fish infuse their way into every single bite. YUM!

If you don’t want to use tin foil, parchment paper is a great substitute. 

baked salmon on a plate with asparagus

Can you eat the brown stuff on salmon?

On occasion, when cooking. The exterior of salmon can develop a gray-brown layer. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wondered if it’s safe to eat! The answer is, yes. It’s just insulated fat between their skin and flesh. Although some people don’t like the intense flavor – but the gray layer does contain heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

More Salmon Recipes to Try

My Favorite Wine Pairings with Salmon:

  • Dove Hunt Dog Chardonnay
  • Gallivant Sauvignon Blanc
  • Chi Feco Pinot Grigio
  • FieldHouse Pinot Noir
  • FiddleNeck Chardonnay
  • Dove Hunt Dog Pinot Noir
  • FieldHouse White Blend

a plate with salmon topped with lemon and asparagus

Print
a plate with salmon topped lemon slices and thyme next to asparagus

Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus

  • Author: Krista
  • prep_time Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • cook_time Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • total_time Total Time: 30 minutes
  • yield Yield: 4 1x
  • category Category: Seafood
  • method Method: Oven
  • cuisine Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus could not be easier to make. Succulent tender Salmon on a bed of asparagus covered in a lemon garlic butter sauce then topped with lemon slices and baked in a foil packet for one complete dinner with no mess!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. asparagus
  • 4 (4oz.) salmon filet
  • 8 slices of lemon
  • salt & pepper to season

Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce:

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Create a pocket with 4 sheets of tin foil. Place on a baking sheet.
  3. Evenly distribute asparagus spears among the 4 packets. Season with salt & pepper.
  4. Place salmon on top of the asparagus.
  5. In a small bowl, add garlic, mustard, butter, honey, lemon zest, smoked paprika, thyme red pepper flakes, pepper and salt. Stir together.
  6. Pour mixture over each salmon and gently rub in.
  7. Next place two slices of lemon on each salmon.
  8. Close the foil packet up.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn broiler on HIGH.
  10. Open foil packets up on the top to expose salmon and place back under broil uncovered for 1 minute.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 foil packet
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 199 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 8 mg

Keywords: easy salmon recipe, baked salmon recipe, salmon in foil, asparagus recipe, baked salmon in foil, salmon in foil, how to bake salmon in foil, salmon and asparagus, baked salmon and asparagus

 

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40 Responses
  1. Ebony

    This was AMAZING!

    I omitted the thyme and lemon zest, and seasoned the salmon with lemon pepper & garlic salt.

    I was nervous about the mixture of honey & mustard, but it was SO good!

    * I also used spicy brown mustard because I didn’t have Dijon. *

  2. Mandy

    Have you done this with parchment paper? Tried it with the foil, and it was delicious. Want to try with parchment paper.

    1. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
      Krista

      I have not. But you could probably do it in those parchment pouches, you can get that in the same aisle as parchment paper in the grocery store.

  3. Mary

    It looks so delicious!! I was just curious if you thawed the salmon before you put it into the foil packets. If you did, how much longer would I need to cook the packets for if I used frozen ones. Thanks!!

  4. Marie

    I made this tonight, it was very good and so easy! It will definitely be added to the rotation when I make salmon! I so appreciated how easy this was to put together and how beautiful it looked plated. My husband thought it looked so fancy. Thanks for a great recipe!

    1. Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
      Krista

      haha.. hurray for sneaky recipes that look fancy but are so easy! Those are definitely my favorite kinds! Glad to hear you and your hubbie enjoyed the dish Marie! Thanks for stopping back and letting me know what you thought! I appreciate it!

  5. Susan Buckethal

    Wonderfully easy and delicious, my husband is really loving the fact that I found your website. I will be making this again.

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