Herb-Roasted Salmon with Quinoa
A healthy, protein-packed meal with flaky salmon and fluffy quinoa. This scandinavian-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs each (4 total) 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 380 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 oz each (4 total) salmon fillets
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp chopped dill
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss quinoa with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread in a baking dish and roast for 15 minutes until tender.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix salmon with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp dill, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Place salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 4: Serve salmon over quinoa, garnished with additional dill and lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Roasted Salmon with Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 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 Herb-Roasted Salmon with 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 each (4 total) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Roasted Salmon with 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 Herb-Roasted Salmon with Quinoa 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-Roasted Salmon with Quinoa?
Scandinavian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
