The Best Skillet Fish & Asparagus (One Pan Dinner)

Love fish? Then you’re going to go wild over this easy one-dish dinner of fish and asparagus. It comes together in minutes, tastes great, and features lots of variations so you’ll never be bored! 

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I’ve been cooking with fish at least once a week, usually more often, for the past few months. Again and again, I’m impressed with how quickly it cooks and how easy it is to make. If you’ve been hesitant to cook fish at home, time to let go of the fear!

Whether you buy fresh fish from the seafood counter, frozen steaks and fillets from the freezer section, or load up on canned tuna or salmon, fish is a great, lean protein that can fit any budget. Seriously, you may not be able to buy the most expensive sea bass, but you will most likely be able to afford tilapia, cod fillets, or mahi mahi to include on a regular basis.

Cooking fresh or frozen fish fillets in a large skillet is super easy and quick. Add asparagus spears to cook quickly in the drippings and you’ve got a super easy fish dish!

Why Make This One Pan Fish & Asparagus 

It cooks quickly. You won’t need a lot of time to cook this simple fish dish. Dinner can be ready in 15-20 minutes!

It’s delicious. With a quick saute in olive oil and a heavy dose of your favorite fish seasoning, this fish recipe is packed with flavor. Serve with fresh lemon slices or my Greek yogurt tartar sauce for some extra oomph.

You can make it so many ways. This basic method for cooking fish and veggies in a skillet can be varied in lots of ways. Switch out the type of seasoning, the type of oil, or even the veggies! Any quick-cooking veg can be substituted for the asparagus, such as cherry tomatoes, green beans, or summer squash.

Ingredients

Here are the five simple ingredients you’ll need for Skillet Fish & Asparagus:

olive oil – I like to use extra virgin olive oil in sautes, but you can use whatever oil you typically use in cooking.

fish fillets – I typically stock up on tilapia and salmon, but you can use your favorite type of fish.

favorite seasoning – You can season the fish simply with a little salt and black pepper or pile on the flavor with a favorite blend, like my Homemade Seasoned Salt or Cajun Spice Mix.

asparagus spears – Depending on how many people you want to serve, you’ll need 1 to 2 asparagus bundles with the woody stems broken off. If asparagus isn’t in season, you can use cherry tomatoes, fresh or frozen green beans, summer squash, or broccolini.

lemon wedges – I like to serve cooked fish with fresh lemon slices, but if lemon juice is all you got that’s fine. A tablespoon of butter or herb butter is also a nice way to finish the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to prep this simple fish dish:

• Season the fish on both sides with 1 teaspoon of the spice mixture. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the fish fillets and sauté the fish until cooked through, about 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the fish to a plate and tent with foil
• Add the asparagus to the drippings in the hot pan, and toss until coated, cooking about 5 to 7 minutes. If the pan looks dry, you can add a bit of water to the pan. Season the asparagus to taste with the remaining spice mix.
• Serve the asparagus and fish with the lemon wedges.

Recipe Tips

• You’ll know the dish is cooked when the fish pulls apart easily. When fish flakes, it may already be overcooked.
• You want the asparagus to be crisp tender, so be sure not to overcook the spears.

Serving Suggestions: I consider this a one-dish dinner, served with Quinoa Pilaf or rice and garlic bread or rolls. However if you prefer a low carb meal, I serve it with extra veggies or a green salad.

How to Make a Meal Prep: This easy one pan fish dinner makes a great easy lunch! Divide the batch into serving-size containers and cover, refrigerating until ready to serve, up to 3 days.

Make a Plan for Leftovers: Leftover fish is good for up to 3 days in the fridge. I find that going longer makes the fish extra fishy. If you store leftovers in clear air-tight containers you’re more likely to notice them and make sure they get eaten.

Both the fish and asparagus are delicious chopped and stirred into chowder or this yummy Instant Pot Potato Soup.

Good Cheap Fish Recipes