Aperol-Glazed Salmon with Lemon-Herb Quinoa

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-seared salmon with a tangy-sweet Aperol reduction, paired with herbed quinoa for a balanced dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (gluten-free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs Aperol, Salmon fillets, Lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in skillet over medium-high. Sear salmon skin-side down for 4 minutes until crisp, flip, and cook 3 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, and 2 tbsp dill. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 3 oz Aperol, 1 tbsp Dijon, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes until reduced by half and syrupy.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, cook quinoa: Rinse quinoa under cold water, then combine with 2 cups chicken broth in saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid absorbed. Fluff with fork and mix in 1 tbsp dill.
  4. Step 4: Return salmon to skillet, spoon Aperol glaze over top, and cook 1 minute to reheat. Serve salmon over quinoa with extra glaze drizzled on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Aperol-Glazed Salmon with Lemon-Herb Quinoa take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Aperol-Glazed Salmon with Lemon-Herb Quinoa?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Aperol-Glazed Salmon with Lemon-Herb Quinoa?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Aperol-Glazed Salmon with Lemon-Herb Quinoa for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Aperol-Glazed Salmon with Lemon-Herb Quinoa gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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