Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon with Vegetables
This Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon with Vegetables is the cheat code for people who want restaurant flavor without the restaurant bill. Crisp-tender veggies, flaky salmon, and a punchy lemon-garlic butter that makes you look like you studied culinary arts on the side.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
- Salmon: 1.5 to 2 lbs salmon fillets or one whole side skin-on preferred
- Broccoli florets: 3 cups
- Baby potatoes: 1 lb halved
- Carrots: 2 medium sliced into 1/2-inch coins
- Red bell pepper: 1 large sliced
- Red onion: 1 small cut into wedges
- Olive oil: 3 tablespoons divided
- Unsalted butter: 2 tablespoons melted (or use more olive oil for dairy-free)
- Garlic: 4 cloves minced
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons from 1 lemon
- Lemon zest: 1 teaspoon
- Honey or maple syrup: 1 tablespoon
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped (plus more for garnish)
- Salt: 1.5 teaspoons divided
- Black pepper: 1 teaspoon divided
- Smoked paprika: 1 teaspoon
- Red pepper flakes: 1/4 teaspoon optional
- Lemon slices: 1 lemon thinly sliced, for topping
Preheat and prep. Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment for easy cleanup. If using thicker potatoes, microwave them 2 minutes to get a head start—game changer.
Toss the veggies. On the sheet pan, combine potatoes, carrots, broccoli, bell pepper, and red onion with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and the smoked paprika.Spread evenly, keeping space in the center for salmon later. Roast the vegetables first. Roast for 12 minutes to give the tougher veggies a head start. You want them slightly tender but not fully done.
Make the lemon-garlic sauce. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust salt/pepper if needed.
Add the salmon. Remove the pan.Nestle the salmon in the center (skin side down). Pat dry and season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spoon about two-thirds of the sauce over the salmon and drizzle the rest over the vegetables.
Top salmon with lemon slices.
Roast to perfection. Return to oven and roast 10–12 minutes, depending on thickness. Salmon is done when it flakes easily and reaches an internal temp of 125–130°F for medium (carryover heat will finish it to ~135°F).
Optional broil. For some char, broil 1–2 minutes at the end. Watch closely—garlic can go from hero to burnt villain fast.
Finish and serve. Rest 3 minutes.Garnish with extra parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon. Serve straight from the pan because you’re efficient like that.
Keyword Lemon Garlic Salmon, Vegetables