Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Easy Lemon Butter Salmon is a quick, delicious, and family-friendly meal that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy potatoes and tender salmon every time. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Spicy Deer Tenderloin Jalapeño Poppers for Easy Appetizers and Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese.
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 irresistible
- Crispy potatoes and tender broccoli on the side
- Ready in just 20 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner
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
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Salmon fillets: Skin-on fillets work best for crispy skin.
- Baby potatoes: Halve or quarter larger potatoes to ensure even cooking.
🛒 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
- Prepare the potatoes and broccoli: Toss potatoes and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Cook the salmon: Season salmon with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2-5 minutes, until salmon is cooked through.
- Make the lemon butter sauce: Melt butter in the skillet with the salmon. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Squeeze in lemon juice and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in chopped parsley (if using).
- Serve: Serve salmon with crispy potatoes and broccoli. Pour the lemon butter sauce over the salmon and garnish with red pepper flakes (if using).
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
- Common mistake and fix: Cooking salmon at too high heat can burn the skin. Medium-high heat is perfect for crispy skin without burning.
- Pro tip: Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure your salmon is cooked to 145°F (63°C) for perfectly tender results.
- Pro tip: For even crispier potatoes, toss them halfway through cooking and flip them skin-side down.
- Pro tip: Make extra lemon butter sauce for drizzling over the potatoes and broccoli.
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 in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook salmon and make the 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 (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in a skillet.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use high-quality butter for the best flavor in your lemon butter sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute cod or halibut for the salmon if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: Prepare potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook salmon and make the sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your salmon is sticking to the skillet, it's not hot enough. Heat the skillet for an additional minute before adding the salmon.
Want to level up this recipe?
Lemon Squeezer — Effortlessly juice lemons for perfect lemon butter sauce every time. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Salmon fillets
- Baby potatoes
- Broccoli florets
- Lemon
- Butter
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Seasonings
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes and broccoli: Toss potatoes and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Cook the salmon: Season salmon with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2-5 minutes, until salmon is cooked through.
- Make the lemon butter sauce: Melt butter in the skillet with the salmon. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Squeeze in lemon juice and let it simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in chopped parsley (if using).
- Serve: Serve salmon with crispy potatoes and broccoli. Pour the lemon butter sauce over the salmon and garnish with red pepper flakes (if using).
Notes
- Chef tip: Use high-quality butter for the best flavor in your lemon butter sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute cod or halibut for the salmon if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: Prepare potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook salmon and make the sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your salmon is sticking to the skillet, it's not hot enough. Heat the skillet for an additional minute before adding the salmon.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 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 (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in a skillet.
- Make ahead: Prepare potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook salmon and make the sauce just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 24g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli FAQs
Your pan might not be hot enough. Heat it for an additional minute before adding the salmon.
Prepare potatoes and broccoli ahead of time. Cook salmon and make the sauce just before serving.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp up in a skillet.
Thaw frozen salmon overnight in the fridge before cooking. It may take a few minutes longer to cook.
Serve with a side salad, crusty bread, or steamed green beans for a complete meal.
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!
