Citrus-Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa
Flaky salmon fillets with a zesty citrus glaze, served atop fluffy quinoa infused with fresh herbs. This american-inspired seafood (gluten-free, high-protein) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets, juiced and zested orange, juiced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets
- 1, juiced and zested orange
- 1/2, juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, honey, and 1 tsp orange zest. Rub salmon fillets with 1/2 tsp olive oil, then spoon 3 tbsp citrus glaze over each fillet.
- Step 2: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is crisp and salmon is medium-rare, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Step 3: While salmon cooks, combine quinoa and chicken broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Fluff cooked quinoa with a fork, then stir in dill, parsley, and 1/2 tsp olive oil. Serve salmon over quinoa, drizzling with remaining citrus glaze.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Citrus-Glazed 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 juiced and zested orange from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Glazed 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 Citrus-Glazed 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.
Is Citrus-Glazed Salmon with Herbed Quinoa gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
