Name: Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb. asparagus; 4 (4oz.) salmon filet; 8 slices of lemon; salt & pepper to season; 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

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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!

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

Table of Contents

Easy Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus
Recipe Ingredients
How to Pick Salmon
How to Bake Salmon in Foil
How Long to Bake Salmon
Is it better to cook salmon covered or uncovered?
Do you wrap salmon in foil when baking?
What are the benefits of baking salmon in foil?
Can you eat the brown stuff on salmon?
More Salmon Recipes to Try
My Favorite Wine Pairings with Salmon:
Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus

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.

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

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.

How to Bake Salmon in Foil

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

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?

Easy Cleanup. And all the moms said Amen.
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.
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.

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