Sheet Pan Wild Salmon & Roasted Garlic Asparagus with Lemon Herb Ghee

Ingredients

• 4 wild Alaskan salmon fillets (6 oz each, skin-on)
• 1.5 lbs fresh young asparagus (woody ends snapped off)
• 3 tbsp grass-fed clarified butter (ghee) or avocado oil, melted
• Zest and juice of 1 organic lemon
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
• 1 tsp coarse Celtic sea salt (divided)
• 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 organic lemon, sliced into wheels (for roasting)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line an extra-large rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
2. Make Lemon Garlic Herb Ghee: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted grass-fed ghee, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, fresh dill, minced rosemary, 0.5 tsp sea salt, and black pepper.
3. Arrange Asparagus: Spread the trimmed asparagus spears across the baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the lemon herb ghee mixture and toss with tongs until evenly coated. Push asparagus to the sides to create space in the center.
4. Place Salmon: Place the wild salmon fillets skin-side down in the center of the baking sheet. Brush the remaining lemon herb ghee generously over the top of each fillet. Lay thin lemon wheels over and around the fish.
5. High-Heat Roast: Roast in the center rack of the oven for 12 to 14 minutes until the salmon is tender, opaque, and flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature 130°F–135°F for medium-rare), and the asparagus spears are tender-crisp.
6. Serve: Spoon any buttery pan juices over the salmon fillets and serve immediately with the roasted asparagus.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

Chef's Paleo Nutritional Science

Wild sockeye and coho salmon contain high levels of astaxanthin—a potent carotenoid antioxidant that gives wild salmon its deep ruby-red color and protects cellular membranes from lipid peroxidation. Asparagus delivers natural prebiotic inulin and folate, feeding beneficial Bifidobacteria in the microbiome without gut distress.

Frequently Asked Questions