One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes
Flaky salmon fillets baked with garlic, herbs, and juicy cherry tomatoes for a restaurant-quality dinner in under 25 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 28 minutes pairs (5 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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 (5 oz each) salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 tsp dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat 4 (5 oz) salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet, skin-side down, and rub with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 squeezed lemon (juice only), 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme.
- Step 2: Arrange 1 cup cherry tomatoes around salmon, then sprinkle with 1 tsp dill and a pinch of salt. Squeeze remaining lemon halves over everything and dot with extra thyme sprigs.
- Step 3: Bake for 15-18 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork and tomatoes are blistered and juicy. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving with extra lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 28 minutes (10 min prep + 18 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 One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes?
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 (5 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes?
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 One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes 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 One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes?
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
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
