Baked Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Mediterranean Herb Couscous

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Oven-baked salmon fillets infused with lemon and garlic, paired with fluffy couscous tossed with fresh Mediterranean herbs for a popular healthy meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic cloves 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) in a baking dish and brush the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the top of each fillet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  3. Step 3: While salmon bakes, place 1 cup couscous in a heatproof bowl. Pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over couscous, cover tightly with a lid or foil, and let sit for 5 minutes until water is absorbed.
  4. Step 4: Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint for a bright, herbal flavor.
  5. Step 5: Serve the baked lemon-garlic salmon over a bed of the herb couscous while warm.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Mediterranean Herb Couscous 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 Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Mediterranean Herb Couscous?

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 Mediterranean Herb Couscous?

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 Mediterranean Herb Couscous 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 Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Mediterranean Herb Couscous?

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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