Lemon-Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Salmon
A skin-friendly, omega-3-rich dinner that reduces breakouts using nutrient-dense vegetables and wild-caught salmon. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 ready in about 22 minutes pairs medium, spiralized zucchini, skin-on salmon fillet, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 1, 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 medium, spiralized zucchini
- 6 oz, skin-on salmon fillet
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/8 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear salmon skin-side down for 5 minutes until crispy and golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Salmon take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Zucchini Noodles with Salmon?
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 medium, spiralized zucchini from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Salmon?
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 Zucchini Noodles with Salmon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). 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 Zucchini Noodles with Salmon?
Mediterranean whole30 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 half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better whole30 dishes though.
