Lemon-Herb Grilled Salmon with Couscous
Perfectly grilled salmon glazed with zesty lemon and herbs, served with light, fluffy couscous and steamed asparagus. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs each salmon fillets, zested and juiced lemon, chopped fresh dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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, zested and juiced lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups couscous
- 1 lb, trimmed asparagus
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high (400°F/200°C). In a bowl, mix lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, dill, parsley, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Brush mixture onto salmon and let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Cook couscous: Bring 2 cups water to a boil. Stir in couscous, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Step 3: Toss asparagus with 1 tbsp olive oil, garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Grill asparagus for 8-10 minutes until tender-crisp. Grill salmon for 12-15 minutes, turning once, until flaky and glazed.
- Step 4: Serve salmon with couscous and asparagus, drizzled with remaining lemon juice and garnished with additional herbs.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Herb Grilled Salmon with Couscous take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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-Herb Grilled Salmon with Couscous?
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 salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Herb Grilled Salmon with Couscous?
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-Herb Grilled Salmon with Couscous 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 Lemon-Herb Grilled Salmon with Couscous?
Mediterranean 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.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
