Herb Quinoa Salmon Bowl
Grilled salmon fillets served over a bed of fluffy quinoa, topped with roasted vegetables and a zesty lemon-herb dressing. This mediterranean-inspired quick meals ready in about 65 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, (uncooked) quinoa, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1.5 cups (uncooked) quinoa
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (juiced) lemon
- 1 tbsp (chopped) dill
- 1 tbsp (chopped) parsley
- 2 (minced) garlic cloves
- 1 cup (steamed) broccoli
- 1 cup (grated) carrots
- 1/2 cup (thinly sliced) red onion
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss 1 cup grated carrots, 1 cup steamed broccoli, and 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until tender and slightly charred.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1 tbsp chopped dill and 1 tbsp chopped parsley.
- Step 3: While the vegetables cook, rinse 1.5 cups quinoa under cold water. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil, add quinoa, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender.
- Step 4: Place salmon fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 12-15 minutes until flaky and golden.
- Step 5: Serve salmon over quinoa, topped with roasted vegetables and the lemon-herb dressing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb Quinoa Salmon Bowl take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (30 min prep + 35 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 Herb Quinoa Salmon Bowl?
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 Herb Quinoa Salmon Bowl?
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 Herb Quinoa Salmon Bowl 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 Herb Quinoa Salmon Bowl?
Mediterranean quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.