Baked Lemon-Herb Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus
Tender baked salmon fillets infused with fresh lemon and herbs, served alongside nutty quinoa and roasted asparagus for a balanced and nutritious dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, medium, sliced into thin rounds lemon, chopped fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 1 medium, sliced into thin rounds lemon
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp divided olive oil
- 1 cup rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 12 trimmed asparagus spears
- 1 1/2 tsp divided salt
- 1/2 tsp divided black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) on a lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Lay lemon slices and sprinkle 2 tbsp each of chopped fresh dill and parsley on top of the fillets.
- Step 2: Toss 12 trimmed asparagus spears with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Arrange the asparagus around the salmon on the baking sheet.
- Step 3: Bake salmon and asparagus for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Step 4: While the salmon bakes, bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Step 5: Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over cooked quinoa and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 6: Plate salmon fillets with lemon slices and herbs alongside asparagus and a serving of quinoa. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Lemon-Herb Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus 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-Herb Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus?
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-Herb Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus?
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-Herb Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus 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-Herb Salmon with Quinoa and Asparagus?
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.
