Baked Herb-Crusted Salmon with Garlic Spinach
Oven-baked salmon fillets crusted with fresh herbs and served alongside sautéed garlic spinach, a simple yet elegant meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, finely chopped fresh parsley, finely chopped fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp divided olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tsp divided salt
- 1/2 tsp divided black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Pat dry 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and brush each with 1 tbsp olive oil, then press the herb mixture evenly over the top of each fillet.
- Step 3: Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 5 cups fresh baby spinach, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted but still vibrant.
- Step 6: Serve baked herb-crusted salmon on plates alongside garlic spinach.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Herb-Crusted Salmon with Garlic Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Baked Herb-Crusted Salmon with Garlic Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Herb-Crusted Salmon with Garlic Spinach?
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 Baked Herb-Crusted Salmon with Garlic Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
What goes well with Baked Herb-Crusted Salmon with Garlic Spinach?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
