Sautéed Salmon with Spinach and Citrus Herb Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-10 · Updated 2026-07-10

Pan-seared salmon fillets served over wilted spinach, drizzled with a bright citrus and fresh herb dressing for a refreshing Whole30-compliant meal. This American-inspired Whole30 recipe (gluten free, dairy free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs salmon fillets, olive oil, fresh baby spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 370 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.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces, 6 oz each salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/4 cup, freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The 9x13 baking dish we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 salmon fillets with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Place fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp, then flip and cook another 3 minutes until just cooked through. Remove salmon and keep warm.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 cloves minced garlic, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 6 cups fresh baby spinach and sauté for 2 minutes until wilted, seasoning with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley. Drizzle this citrus herb dressing over the salmon and spinach just before serving.