Baked Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Herbed Quinoa
Oven-baked salmon fillets glazed with lemon and garlic, served atop fluffy quinoa seasoned with fresh herbs. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, lemon juice, olive oil 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
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Place 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) skin-side down on a lined baking sheet. Brush the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the salmon.
- Step 3: Bake the salmon for 12-15 minutes until opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 4: While salmon bakes, rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water. Combine quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Step 5: Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and gently stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for a fragrant herbed finish.
- Step 6: Serve the baked salmon atop the herbed quinoa with any remaining lemon-garlic drizzle spooned over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Herbed Quinoa 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 Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Herbed Quinoa?
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 Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Herbed 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 Baked Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Herbed Quinoa 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 Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Herbed Quinoa?
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.
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