If you’re craving a meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe is about to become your new favorite. It brings together tender, flaky salmon drenched in a zesty lemon butter sauce, perfectly paired with crispy, golden potatoes and vibrant roasted broccoli. Each bite offers a delightful contrast of textures and bright, comforting flavors, making it a balanced and satisfying dish that works beautifully for any night of the week. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will earn a permanent spot on your dinner rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, wholesome ingredients is the secret behind this dish’s incredible flavor. Each component brings something essential—whether it’s the buttery tang on the salmon, the satisfying crunch of the potatoes, or the fresh pop of the broccoli. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this beautiful meal at home:
- Salmon fillets: Choose fresh, skin-on or skinless, to ensure juicy, tender flesh that holds up under roasting.
- Olive oil: Used twice here, it adds richness and helps crisp the potatoes and broccoli perfectly.
- Butter: Melted and combined with lemon, it brings lusciousness to the salmon’s coating.
- Fresh lemon juice: The star of the show, delivering bright acidity that cuts through the richness.
- Lemon zest: Adds an aromatic, citrusy punch that amplifies the lemon flavor beautifully.
- Garlic: Minced for the salmon and powdered for the potatoes, it infuses every bite with savory warmth.
- Dried thyme: A touch of herbaceous earthiness that complements the fish perfectly.
- Salt and pepper: Basic but essential seasoning to bring all flavors into harmony.
- Potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes cut into cubes, for that irresistible crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-inside texture.
- Garlic powder and smoked paprika: Seasonings that elevate the potatoes with smoky, slightly spicy notes.
- Broccoli: Fresh florets roasted alongside potatoes to add a vibrant green color and slightly charred flavor.
How to Make Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Crispy Potatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) because that’s the magic temperature that gives your potatoes the perfect crispy crust and tender center. Toss the cubed potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper right in a bowl to coat them evenly. Spread them out on a large baking sheet in a single layer to ensure every cube gets golden and crispy. Roast these beauties for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through to guarantee even crispness that’s downright addictive.
Step 2: Prepare the Lemon Butter Mixture
While your potatoes are roasting, it’s time to mix up the sauce that makes this dish so uniquely delicious. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. This mixture is vibrant and rich, perfectly complementing the salmon with a silky, tangy glaze that will have you licking your fingers.
Step 3: Season and Bake the Salmon
Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Using a brush, coat each fillet generously with the lemon butter mixture—it’s okay to be generous here because this sauce is pure magic. After the potatoes have roasted for about 25-30 minutes and are nearly done, add your broccoli florets to the same baking sheet. Drizzle the broccoli with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to bring out their natural sweetness and achieve delightful roasted edges. Next, pop the salmon into the oven on a separate rack or bake it after removing the potatoes. Roast the salmon for about 12-15 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork, which means it’s perfectly cooked and juicy.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Once everything is cooked, plate up the lemon butter salmon alongside the crispy potatoes and vibrant roasted broccoli. The combination of colors and textures alone is enough to get you excited, and the flavors together will have you swooning over every bite. This Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe truly shines when served fresh and warm.
How to Serve Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a few extra twists of lemon zest over the top brightens the dish beautifully and gives it a fresh, inviting look. A subtle drizzle of a good quality olive oil or a quick squeeze of additional lemon juice just before serving can elevate the flavors even more and make your presentation pop.
Side Dishes
This meal is well-rounded on its own, but if you want to add something extra, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or a bowl of wild rice makes a lovely companion. These extras add freshness and a little bulk without overwhelming the central flavors of the salmon, potatoes, and broccoli.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party or special meal, serve the salmon on a wooden board garnished with lemon wedges and fresh herbs, with the potatoes and broccoli arranged artfully around it. You could also plate it individually with a drizzle of the leftover lemon butter sauce pooled around the salmon to create a restaurant-worthy presentation at home.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftover lemon butter salmon, crispy potatoes, and roasted broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep components separate if possible to maintain optimal texture—potatoes and broccoli stay better when not mixed with the salmon’s buttery sauce until reheating.
Freezing
While the salmon tastes best fresh, you can freeze cooked salmon and vegetables for up to a month. Wrap the salmon tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place it in a freezer container or bag. Freeze the potatoes and broccoli separately for best results. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To keep your leftovers tasting fresh and delicious, reheat salmon gently in a low oven (around 275°F/135°C) to prevent drying out, or briefly in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel. Reheat the potatoes and broccoli in a hot oven or stovetop skillet to crisp them back up.
FAQs
Can I use frozen salmon for this Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen salmon as long as it is fully thawed before cooking. Pat it dry to ensure the lemon butter sauce sticks well and helps the salmon cook evenly.
What type of potatoes work best?
Yukon Gold or red potatoes are ideal because they crisp up beautifully on the outside while remaining fluffy on the inside. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets as they can become too soft.
Is it necessary to use fresh lemon juice and zest?
Fresh lemon juice and zest provide the best brightness and essential oils that enhance the flavor immensely. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch but won’t give quite the same vibrant punch.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
Absolutely! You can prep the potatoes by cutting and seasoning them a few hours ahead and store them in the fridge until roasting. The lemon butter sauce can also be mixed in advance and kept chilled.
What if I prefer skin-on or skinless salmon?
Both options work well! Skin-on salmon can become crispy if cooked skin-side down, adding texture, while skinless salmon offers a more delicate bite. It’s a matter of personal preference.
Final Thoughts
This Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe is a wonderful way to bring together simple ingredients with bold flavors that feel so satisfying and fresh. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but elegant enough to impress guests, making it one of those reliable recipes that you’ll want to keep coming back to. Give it a try—you might just find your new go-to meal that everyone will ask for again and again.
Print
Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli is a perfectly balanced, flavorful meal featuring tender salmon fillets brushed with a zesty lemon butter sauce, paired with golden, crispy roasted potatoes and tender broccoli florets. Roasted together in the oven, this dish is simple yet elegant, offering a nutritious and satisfying dinner option.
Ingredients
Salmon & Lemon Butter Sauce
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Potatoes
- 4 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or red potatoes), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Broccoli
- 1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure the roasting environment is set for crispy potatoes and tender vegetables.
- Prepare Potatoes: In a bowl, toss the potato cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully coated. Spread them out on a large baking sheet in a single layer to guarantee even roasting.
- Roast Potatoes: Place the baking sheet with the potatoes in the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure all sides become golden brown and crispy.
- Make Lemon Butter Sauce: While the potatoes roast, combine melted butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to create a fragrant and zesty lemon butter sauce.
- Prepare Salmon: Place the salmon fillets on a separate baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Brush the lemon butter sauce generously over each fillet, coating them well.
- Add Broccoli: After the potatoes have roasted for 25-30 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the broccoli florets to the potatoes. Drizzle the broccoli with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, then return the baking sheet to the oven.
- Bake Salmon and Broccoli: Place the salmon on a separate rack in the oven, or after removing the potatoes and broccoli, bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes. Bake until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, while the broccoli becomes tender and slightly roasted.
- Serve: Serve the lemon butter salmon immediately alongside the crispy roasted potatoes and tender broccoli for a complete and delicious meal.
Notes
- For extra crispy potatoes, make sure they are spread out in a single layer without overcrowding the pan.
- You can substitute fresh thyme for dried thyme if available for a brighter flavor.
- If cooking time is tight, broccoli can be steamed separately while potatoes roast.
- Use skin-on salmon for extra flavor and texture; just be sure to crisp the skin under the broiler if desired.
- Leftover lemon butter salmon can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
