Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
Easy Lemon Butter Salmon is a better-than-takeout dinner ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy potatoes and a rich, tangy lemon butter sauce. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Strawberry Matcha Sago Dessert and Easy Chicken Avocado Wrap.
Why This Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli Is Pure Comfort
- Irresistible, flaky salmon in a rich, tangy lemon butter sauce.
- Crispy potatoes and tender broccoli make a perfect side dish.
- Easy cleanup with just one pan.
- Better than takeout and ready in 20 minutes.
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
- Parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Salmon: Skin-on salmon fillets work best for crispy skin.
- Baby potatoes: Halve or quarter larger potatoes to ensure even cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and crispy skin. → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked salmon every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
- Prepare ingredients: Pat salmon dry, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss potatoes and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Cook salmon and potatoes: Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon, skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes. Remove salmon and set aside. Add potatoes to the skillet, cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook broccoli and make lemon butter sauce: In a separate pan, cook broccoli for 3-4 minutes. In the cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. Squeeze in lemon juice, add lemon slices, and cook for another minute. Return salmon to the skillet, spoon sauce over it.
- Serve: Plate salmon, potatoes, and broccoli. Spoon lemon butter sauce over salmon. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Lemon Butter Salmon with Crispy Potatoes and Broccoli
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking salmon is the #1 reason this recipe fails. To prevent it, use an instant-read meat thermometer. Cook until it reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare or 135°F (57°C) for medium.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy potatoes, increase the heat to high for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Pro tip: To make this a one-pan meal, cook everything in the cast iron skillet. Remove salmon and potatoes, then cook broccoli in the same skillet.
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 ingredients ahead of time. Cook salmon and potatoes 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 a 350°F (180°C) oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the lemon butter sauce.
- Best substitution: Use cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi fillets as a substitute for salmon.
- Make-ahead: Prepare ingredients ahead of time. Cook salmon and potatoes just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. To double, simply double the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy, increase the heat to high for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and crispy skin. → 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
- Parsley
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Pat salmon dry, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Toss potatoes and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Cook salmon and potatoes: Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add salmon, skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-4 minutes. Remove salmon and set aside. Add potatoes to the skillet, cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook broccoli and make lemon butter sauce: In a separate pan, cook broccoli for 3-4 minutes. In the cast iron skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic, cook for 1 minute. Squeeze in lemon juice, add lemon slices, and cook for another minute. Return salmon to the skillet, spoon sauce over it.
- Serve: Plate salmon, potatoes, and broccoli. Spoon lemon butter sauce over salmon. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the lemon butter sauce.
- Best substitution: Use cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi fillets as a substitute for salmon.
- Make-ahead: Prepare ingredients ahead of time. Cook salmon and potatoes just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. To double, simply double the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If potatoes are not crispy, increase the heat to high for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
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 a 350°F (180°C) oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
- Make ahead: Prepare ingredients ahead of time. Cook salmon and potatoes just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- 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
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry salmon. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare or 135°F (57°C) for medium.
Yes, cook salmon at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Cook potatoes separately at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes.
To prevent sticking, ensure your cast iron skillet is well-seasoned and preheat it before adding the potatoes.
Yes, thaw frozen broccoli before cooking. It may take an extra 1-2 minutes to cook.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Be sure to use gluten-free butter if necessary.
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!
