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Easy Baked Lemon Herb Salmon Recipe with Quinoa for Healthy Meals

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A quick and easy baked salmon recipe with lemon and herbs served alongside fluffy quinoa, perfect for healthy and satisfying meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each), skin-on or skinless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 2 teaspoons fresh chopped parsley
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup quinoa (170 g), rinsed well
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth (475 ml)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or basil), optional for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Place them skin-side down on the baking sheet and brush or spoon the marinade evenly over the top. Let it rest for about 10 minutes if time allows.
  4. Rinse quinoa under cold running water for about 30 seconds using a fine-mesh sieve.
  5. In a saucepan, bring water or vegetable broth and salt to a boil. Add rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for another 5 minutes.
  6. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake salmon for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness, until opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Optionally broil for 1-2 minutes for a crisp top, watching carefully.
  7. Fluff the quinoa with a fork. Stir in olive oil or butter if using, and sprinkle chopped fresh herbs on top.
  8. Serve the salmon alongside quinoa, spooning any pan juices over the fish.

Notes

Pat salmon dry before marinating to help the marinade stick and avoid steaming. Use fresh lemon zest and juice for best flavor. Watch baking time closely to avoid overcooking. Let salmon rest a few minutes after baking for juicier texture. Rinse quinoa well to remove bitterness. Set timers to avoid distractions during cooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked salmon, lemon herb salmon, quinoa, healthy meals, easy dinner, quick recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/easy-baked-lemon-herb-salmon-recipe-with-quinoa-for-healthy-meals/