Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Steamed Broccoli
A quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring pan-seared salmon with a lemon-garlic sauce, accompanied by steamed broccoli for a complete meal. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs salmon fillets, lemon, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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) salmon fillets
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz, cut into florets broccoli
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Season salmon fillets with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-6 minutes until skin is crispy, then flip and cook for 3-4 minutes more until cooked through.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, and lemon zest. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add broccoli florets and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
- Step 4: Return salmon to skillet, add 2 tbsp lemon juice, and cook for 1 minute to blend flavors and create a light sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Steamed Broccoli 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-Garlic Salmon with Steamed Broccoli?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Steamed Broccoli?
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-Garlic Salmon with Steamed Broccoli 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.
What goes well with Lemon-Garlic Salmon with Steamed Broccoli?
American 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
- ★★★★★
This was absolutely perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. The lemon and garlic complemented the salmon beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the salmon, but the sauce was a bit bland for my taste. I added a pinch of red pepper flakes next time.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked it as directed, but the salmon took longer than the recipe said. Still tasty though.
