Citrus-Baked Salmon with Fennel and Orange Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

Tender salmon fillets baked with fresh herbs and citrus paired with a crisp and refreshing fennel-orange salad for a light Whole30 meal. This Mediterranean-inspired Whole30 recipe (gluten free), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, olive oil, sea salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 medium, thinly sliced fennel bulb
• 2 medium, peeled and sliced into rounds navel orange
• 1/4 small, thinly sliced red onion
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 tsp, crushed black peppercorns

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place 4 salmon fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and season with 1 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
2. Step 2: While salmon bakes, combine 1 thinly sliced medium fennel bulb, 2 peeled and sliced navel oranges, and 1/4 small thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 tsp crushed black peppercorns. Pour this dressing over the fennel and orange mixture and toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Serve the baked salmon fillets alongside a generous portion of the fennel and orange salad for a bright, Whole30-compliant meal.