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Looking for a no-mess, flavor-packed dinner? This Salmon and Asparagus in Foil is your weeknight hero! Juicy, flaky salmon and crisp-tender asparagus come together in a buttery lemon garlic sauce—wrapped and baked to perfection with zero cleanup.
🕒 Salmon Baking Time Guide (In Foil)
| Salmon Thickness | Oven Temperature | Bake Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¾ inch | 400°F / 200°C | 15–17 minutes | Check early—thinner fillets cook fast |
| 1 inch (standard) | 400°F / 200°C | 18–20 minutes | Most common thickness for foil packet recipes |
| 1½ inches | 400°F / 200°C | 22–24 minutes | May need a broil for color; don’t overbake |
| Any thickness | 375°F / 190°C | Add 2–3 minutes | Lower temp? Just increase bake time slightly |
Healthy Dinner in One Foil Pack? Yes, Please!
Foil packet meals are a game-changer—easy, customizable, and no messy cleanup.
Bake them in the oven or throw them on the grill. Don’t like asparagus? Swap it for mushrooms, like my son does. Everyone builds their own, everyone’s happy.
- Use heavy-duty foil to keep things mess-free and secure.
- Just layer salmon and asparagus in the center, season well, drizzle with buttery garlic sauce, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Fold, seal, and cook!
How Long to Bake Salmon in Foil?
You can cook these salmon foil packs on the grill or in the oven.
For the oven, preheat it to 400 F (200 C), place foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes or until the desired doneness. For crispy edges, open and broil for 2 extra minutes.
How Long to Grill Salmon in Foil?
Preheat grill. Grill salmon foil packs on medium high for 17-20 minutes or until cooked through.
Alternatively you can broil them after grilling for 2-3 minutes in the oven to get a crispy top. This is optional.
Why Cook Salmon in Foil?
- The aluminium foil locks in moisture and guarantees that salmon turns out to be flaky and tender.
- It is a healthy way to cook salmon. Even if you don’t add any butter, you still get delicious juicy salmon without it.
- The whole process of opening up the packets is exciting. That burst of amazing smells when you open the packets is to die for!
- Clean-up is a breeze.
Reheating/Leftovers Tip (Rice Bowl Conversion)
- 🥡 Leftover Tip: Make a Rice Bowl!
Flake leftover salmon and asparagus into a bowl of rice or quinoa. Add a drizzle of olive oil or lemon dressing and top with sliced avocado or a fried egg for a quick next-day lunch. - Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F until just heated through. Avoid the microwave to keep the salmon from drying out.
❓FAQs
Yes, just thaw them fully and pat dry before baking to avoid extra moisture in the foil.
Absolutely! Grill the sealed foil packets over medium heat for 15–18 minutes.
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven or flake into a salad or grain bowl.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Salmon Cooking Temperatures for tips!
Salmon Recipes That Make Weeknight Dinners Simple
- Baked Salmon in Mustard Sauce
- Pesto Baked Salmon
- Honey Garlic Butter Salmon in Foil
- Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon
- Pecan Panko Crusted Salmon
Tried this foil salmon? Leave a star rating and comment below—We love hearing how it turned out for you!
Salmon and Asparagus in Foil
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 salmon or trout fillets, skin on or off
- 2 pounds asparagus spears, woody ends trimmed
- Salt and black pepper, as needed
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter or olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds or dill seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill leaves, chopped
To Serve
- Fresh dill leaves
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) °F and position the rack in the center. Cut four pieces of aluminum foil, each approximately 12×18 inches.
- Place one salmon fillet in the center of each foil sheet. Divide the asparagus into four equal portions and arrange them alongside the salmon.
- Season both the salmon and asparagus with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice, ⅓ cup unsalted butter or olive oil, 5 garlic cloves (chopped), and 1 teaspoon carom seeds or dill seeds. Drizzle the mixture evenly over each salmon and asparagus portion.
- Fold the foil over the salmon and asparagus to make sealed packets, ensuring the edges are tightly crimped to prevent any sauce from leaking.
- Transfer the foil packets to a baking sheet and bake for 13–15 minutes.
- Carefully open each packet and broil for an additional 1–2 minutes to crisp the edges, if desired.
- Garnish with fresh dill and serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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