Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Easy Lemon Butter Salmon is a 20-minute, better-than-takeout dinner that’s crispy, juicy, and packed with fresh, zesty flavor. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy potatoes and a creamy lemon butter sauce. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Italian Mushroom Carbonara and Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta.
Why This Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy salmon skin with tender, flaky flesh
- Creamy lemon butter sauce that's better than takeout
- Crispy potatoes and tender broccoli on the side
What You'll Need for Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Salmon fillets
- Baby potatoes
- Broccoli florets
- Lemon
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Salmon: Skin-on fillets work best for crispy skin.
- Baby potatoes: Halve or quarter larger potatoes.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Digital Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked salmon every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
- Preheat oven and prepare ingredients: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss potatoes with oil, salt, and pepper. Cut broccoli into florets. Zest and juice the lemon. Mince garlic.
- Cook potatoes: Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes, then flip and roast for another 10-15 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Cook salmon: Season salmon with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down, cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes until cooked through.
- Cook broccoli: Add broccoli to the skillet with salmon. Cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Remove from heat.
- Make lemon butter sauce: Melt butter in the skillet. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper. Pour sauce over salmon and broccoli.
- Serve: Serve salmon with crispy potatoes and broccoli. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
- Pro tip: Use high heat to cook the salmon skin for the crispiest results.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the salmon. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Pro tip: Toss the potatoes in oil and seasonings before roasting for even cooking and better flavor.
- Pro tip: Add the broccoli to the skillet with the salmon to absorb some of the delicious flavors.
Storing & Reheating Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook salmon and make sauce just before serving.
Freezing Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, cook the potatoes in the oven while cooking the salmon and broccoli in the skillet.
- Best substitution: Use cod or halibut instead of salmon for a similar dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the lemon butter sauce up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salmon skin sticks to the pan, try using a non-stick skillet or cooking the salmon skin-side down for a longer period.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality lemon juicer — Makes juicing lemons a breeze for a smooth, seedless sauce. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Baby potatoes
- Broccoli florets
- Lemon
- Butter
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare ingredients: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss potatoes with oil, salt, and pepper. Cut broccoli into florets. Zest and juice the lemon. Mince garlic.
- Cook potatoes: Spread potatoes on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes, then flip and roast for another 10-15 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Cook salmon: Season salmon with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down, cook for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes until cooked through.
- Cook broccoli: Add broccoli to the skillet with salmon. Cook for 2-3 minutes until tender. Remove from heat.
- Make lemon butter sauce: Melt butter in the skillet. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in lemon zest, juice, salt, and pepper. Pour sauce over salmon and broccoli.
- Serve: Serve salmon with crispy potatoes and broccoli. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a one-pan meal, cook the potatoes in the oven while cooking the salmon and broccoli in the skillet.
- Best substitution: Use cod or halibut instead of salmon for a similar dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the lemon butter sauce up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe easily doubles or triples for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salmon skin sticks to the pan, try using a non-stick skillet or cooking the salmon skin-side down for a longer period.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked salmon for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Prepare potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook salmon and make sauce just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli FAQs
Yes, prepare the potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook the salmon and make the sauce just before serving to keep it crispy and fresh.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry salmon. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 145°F (63°C) and no more.
Yes, cook the salmon at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook the potatoes and broccoli separately.
Use white wine or chicken broth instead of lemon juice for a similar tangy flavor.
Yes, this dish is perfect for a holiday meal. Prepare the potatoes and broccoli ahead of time to save on cooking time.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
