Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Quinoa
Juicy roasted salmon infused with fresh lemon and thyme, paired with fluffy garlic butter quinoa for a balanced, wholesome meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, fresh lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 pieces (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 cup dry quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place 2 salmon fillets (6 oz each) on a lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Roast for 12-15 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 2: While salmon roasts, rinse 3/4 cup dry quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Step 3: Add the rinsed quinoa to the saucepan and toast for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Step 4: Remove quinoa from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve salmon atop the garlic butter quinoa.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Quinoa take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter 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 Lemon-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Quinoa 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-Thyme Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter Quinoa?
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.
