Sautéed Salmon with Garlic and Spinach in Citrus Broth

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

Tender salmon fillets sautéed with garlic, served over wilted spinach and finished with a bright citrus broth for a Whole30-friendly pescatarian meal. This whole30 (pescatarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs salmon fillets, 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 4, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets, season both sides with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes without moving until edges are crispy, then flip and cook 3 more minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily. Remove salmon and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add 6 cups fresh baby spinach and cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes until spinach is wilted.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, and 1/2 cup water, stirring to combine. Let the broth simmer gently for 2 minutes until slightly reduced and flavorful.
  5. Step 5: Return salmon to the skillet nestling it atop the spinach and spoon some citrus broth over. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Salmon with Garlic and Spinach in Citrus Broth take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Sautéed Salmon with Garlic and Spinach in Citrus Broth?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Salmon with Garlic and Spinach in Citrus Broth?

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 Sautéed Salmon with Garlic and Spinach in Citrus Broth 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 Sautéed Salmon with Garlic and Spinach in Citrus Broth whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes