Pan-Seared Salmon with Garlic Spinach and Lemon Zest
A tender pan-seared salmon fillet served atop a bed of garlic sautéed spinach, brightened with fresh lemon zest. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe (gluten free, whole30), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs salmon fillet, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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
- 6 oz salmon fillet
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 6 oz salmon fillet and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 4 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden. Flip and cook 3 more minutes until opaque throughout. Remove salmon and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 4 cups fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until wilted and tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in zest and juice of 1 lemon, adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
- Step 6: Plate the garlic spinach and top with the salmon fillet, drizzle any pan juices over the top before serving.








