Baked Italian Herb-Rubbed Salmon with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes
Tender salmon fillets baked with a fragrant blend of Italian herbs, garlic, and juicy cherry tomatoes for a flavorful and healthy meal. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place 4 salmon fillets skin-side down.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Brush the olive oil and herb mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
- Step 4: Scatter 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes around the fillets on the baking sheet.
- Step 5: Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and tomatoes are softened and blistered.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil over the top.
- Step 7: Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Italian Herb-Rubbed Salmon with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Italian Herb-Rubbed Salmon with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Italian Herb-Rubbed Salmon with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
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 Italian Herb-Rubbed Salmon with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes 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.
What goes well with Baked Italian Herb-Rubbed Salmon with Garlic and Cherry Tomatoes?
Italian 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.