Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon with Herb Quinoa

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender salmon fillets pan-seared with lemon and garlic, served over fluffy herb-infused quinoa. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium pot, bring 2 cups vegetable broth to a boil, add quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add salmon fillets skin side down to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the edges are crispy, then flip and cook 3-4 more minutes until salmon is opaque.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat, sprinkle 1 tsp lemon zest and drizzle 2 tbsp lemon juice over salmon. Let rest for 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Serve salmon over the herb quinoa, spooning any pan juices on top.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon with Herb Quinoa take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon with Herb 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon with Herb 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 Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon with Herb Quinoa 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.

Is Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Salmon with Herb Quinoa gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes