Lemon Garlic Sockeye Salmon Recipe

This Baked Sockeye Salmon recipe is the one pan dinner idea you need this summer! Flavored with lemon and garlic, this easy recipe makes the perfect flaky and juicy sockeye salmon with tender asparagus roasted in the same pan. A fresh and healthy meal done in under 20 minutes!

roasted sockeye salmon fillets with asparagus

My Favorite Way to Cook Sockeye Salmon

If you are a salmon lover – I have a treat for you! This is a fast and healthy sheet pan salmon dinner that will wow your family! It’s my absolute favorite way to prepare salmon!

What’s better than a light and healthy dinner in the summer? Uh, nothing! So, if you’re on the lookout for a super simple dinner idea, I present to you lemon garlic roasted sockeye salmon with asparagus.

What is Sockeye Salmon?

Sockeye salmon is a species of wild salmon found in the northern pacific ocean and the rivers that feed into it. They are fresh water as juveniles but migrate to the ocean. You may also see them called red salmon or blueback salmon. When choosing raw salmon at the market, sockeye will have a deep red hue as opposed to the pink-orange of other varieties.

Sockeye is a bit more oily than other varieties and has a richer flavor, so it is really a treat for salmon lovers!

top view of baked salmon fillets

Is Wild Sockeye Salmon Good For You?

Absolutely! Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acid, protein, and potassium. Salmon is known to aid in weight control, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and improve brain and bone health!

Wild sockeye is not typically farmed so there are even more health benefits! It has less fat and calories but more nutrients and less of a chance of contaminates!

prepping pieces of salmon for cooking

What’s in this Sockeye Salmon Recipe?

The ingredients here are super simple but pack the flavor in. Grab yourself some sockeye and you’re set!

Here’s what you’ll need:

sockeye salmon fillets, skin-on, patted dry with paper towels
olive oil
garlic
fresh chopped parsley and thyme
lemon
asparagus
salt and fresh ground black pepper

How to Bake Sockeye Salmon with Asparagus

Prep: Preheat oven to 400˚F.
Brush a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Rub: Place the salmon fillets skin-side-down on the baking sheet and rub each fillet with the remaining olive oil.
Rub the salmon fillets evenly with garlic, parsley, and thyme.
Pour the lemon juice over the fillets.
Add Asparagus: Arrange the asparagus around the fillets in a single layer. Toss around to coat with the olive oil.
Season: Season the salmon and the asparagus with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
Roast: Roast for 10 to 11 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the salmon registers at 135˚F to 140˚F.
Remove and rest: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it stand for a few minutes.
Serve: Garnish with lemon slices and serve with the asparagus.
Tips for the Best Baked Sockeye Salmon

Tips for the Best Sockeye Salmon

To make sure your sockeye and asparagus both turn out exactly how you want – follow these simple tips:

Don’t forget to pat your salmon dry with a paper towel before you rub them with the herbs and garlic.
Salmon does not need heavy seasoning or sauces. It is perfect with just a simple rub of fresh herbs and lemon juice.
Do not cook your salmon skin side up. Make sure the skin is down.
To get a little browning on top, set your broiler to high in the last couple minutes of cooking and broil the salmon until browned on top.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

You can store baked sockeye salmon in an airtight container in your fridge for about 1 to 2 days.
You could also freeze it. To freeze your leftovers, remove the skin and place it in a freezer safe zip top bag for about 2 months. When you’re ready to reheat it, allow it to defrost first in the fridge overnight.
Reheat your sockeye salmon slowly and gently so that you don’t dry it out. You can do this stove top in a skillet. You can also use your leftovers cold in a salad.

Looking for more salmon recipes? Try these:

ENJOY!

Tools Used in this Recipe

roasted sockeye salmon fillets with asparagus

Lemon Garlic Baked Sockeye Salmon with Asparagus

This easy sockeye salmon recipe makes the perfect flaky and juicy sockeye salmon with tender asparagus roasted in the same pan.

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Calories: 96 kcal

Author: Katerina | Diethood

Ingredients

4 (5 to 6 ounces, each) sockeye salmon fillets skin-on, patted dry with paper towels
2 tablespoons olive oil divided
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
⅓ cup lemon juice
1 pound asparagus woody ends trimmed off
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

Brush a rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Place the salmon fillets skin-side-down on the baking sheet and brush each fillet with the remaining olive oil.
Turn over and rub the fillets evenly with garlic, parsley, and thyme.
Pour the lemon juice over the fillets.
Arrange the asparagus around the salmon fillets in a single layer. Toss around so to coat with the olive oil.
Season the salmon and the asparagus with salt and fresh ground black pepper.
Roast for 10 to 12 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the salmon registers at 135˚F to 140˚F.
Remove from oven and let stand for a few minutes.
Garnish with lemon slices and serve with the asparagus.