Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Infused Quinoa Base
Pan-seared salmon resting on a bed of quinoa infused with fresh herbs, finished with a bright lemon-dill sauce. This american-inspired pizza (high-protein, gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets, rinsed quinoa, vegetable broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each), skin-on salmon fillets
- 1 cup, rinsed quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped (for sauce) fresh dill
- 3 tbsp plain yogurt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring quinoa and vegetable broth to a simmer in a saucepan with 1/4 tsp salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork and stir in 2 tbsp fresh dill.
- Step 2: Pat salmon dry and season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 3: Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 4 minutes until skin is crisp, then flip and cook 3-4 minutes more until opaque at center.
- Step 4: While salmon cooks, whisk together 3 tbsp plain yogurt, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh dill, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Divide quinoa between plates, top with salmon fillet, and spoon lemon-dill sauce over salmon. Garnish with reserved lemon slices.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Infused Quinoa Base take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Infused Quinoa Base?
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 rinsed quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Infused Quinoa Base?
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 Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Infused Quinoa Base 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.
Is Lemon-Dill Salmon with Herb-Infused Quinoa Base high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Easy and impressive! Made this for date night and my partner was thrilled.
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a keeper. The salmon was flaky and the dill added such a bright flavor.
- ★★★★★
Loved the lemon-dill salmon! The quinoa base was a perfect complement. My family devoured it.