Making salmon at home has truly never been easier. Introducing my Easy Broiled Salmon with Lemony Couscous, a simple, easy, restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in under 40 minutes. It’s made from tender, flaky salmon that is cooked to perfection under the broiler, and is then paired with a vibrant lemony couscous for a truly perfect bite. This recipe is perfect for throwing together on the days where you don’t have a ton of time to spend in the kitchen, but still want to serve your family a healthy and delicious meal!
Friends, I am back with another simple and easy recipe that will have a restaurant-quality dinner on the table in less than 40 minutes. I mean truly, is there anything better than that? As I’m adjusting to life as a single mom, I am always looking for ways to simplify everyday tasks around the house, to ensure that I get to spend the most amount of time with my boys on the days that they’re with me. Which means that on the days I have them, I am reaching for simple, easy, yet delicious dinners that leave me spending less time in the kitchen and more time playing with them. As time goes on, I’m learning more and more just how quickly those younger years with littles go by, and I am trying my best to savor every moment – I’m sure all moms out there will understand!
This Easy Broiled Salmon with Lemony Couscous is seriously one of my simplest and easiest dinner recipes yet. It requires practically zero prep-time and truly tastes better than takeout. If you’re still wasting precious time cooking salmon in a pan (or even worse, baking it in the oven), then you absolutely have to try this broil method. Don’t knock it until you try it – in just 10 minutes, you’ll have the perfect, tender, flaky salmon ready to add to any of your favorite meals. It truly is a game-changer, and yields the most delicious salmon, every single time!
And, what better way to enjoy salmon than atop a bed of tender, lemony couscous? This recipe calls for pearl couscous – also known as Israeli couscous – which is much larger in size than Moroccan couscous and yields the most tender, pasta-like flavor. You can find it in the “international” section of most conventional grocery stores or at any Middle Eastern market. It’s absolutely delicious, and such a fun alternative to traditional rice!
What You Need to Make The Easiest Salmon Dinner
- Salmon Filets: Of course, it wouldn’t be a broiled salmon dish without the salmon itself! This recipe calls for four salmon filets (to make four servings), however you can always use more or less, depending on how many people you’re serving.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is my favorite oil to use in cooking, and is used in both the salmon and the couscous. If you don’t have or like olive oil, you can also opt for another healthy oil, such as avocado oil.
- Seasonings: To season the salmon, you’ll need a combination of garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and ground black pepper. Yum!
- Onion & Garlic: Fresh onion and garlic add the best flavor to any recipe, and this one is no exception.
- Pearl Couscous: Also known as Israeli couscous, this variety is larger than Moroccan couscous and has a delicious bite to it!
- Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth: Both chicken and vegetable broth work equally as well in this recipe! I recommend just using what you already have. If you happen to be Pescatarian, opt for the veggie broth!
- Parmesan Cheese: I will always recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese, rather than pre-grated, as it has a fresher flavor.
- Lemons: You’ll need the juice and zest of two lemons in order to give the couscous its perfect lemony flavor!
- Fresh Spinach: I highly recommend using fresh spinach over frozen spinach, as frozen spinach has a high water content that can leave the couscous soggy. And nobody wants soggy couscous!
How to Make This Simple & Easy Restaurant-Quality Dinner
To make this recipe, start by preparing the salmon. Dry the salmon filets with a paper towel, then rub them generously with the olive oil and seasonings (the garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and ground black pepper). Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the salmon filets to it.
Turn the oven on to broil high, then transfer the salmon filets into the oven. Allow them to broil for 8-9 minutes on the middle rack, or until they reach your desired doneness. If you prefer your salmon rare like I do, then 9 minutes should be perfect. If you prefer a more well-done salmon, 10-12 minutes of cook time might be better.
While the salmon is broiling, prepare the couscous. Heat a 12 inch skillet on the stove, over medium heat, and add in the olive oil. Dice the onion. Then, once the oil is hot, add in the onion and sauté it for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the garlic into the pan with the onion and sauté them both together for another minute.
Once the minute is up, add in the dry couscous and toss it in the pan for 4-5 minutes, until it’s toasted, fragrant, and golden brown. Then, pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and stir to coat everything well. Place the cover on the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 12-15 minutes, until the couscous is cooked through but not soggy. It should still have some “bite” to it! Remove the cover from the pan and add in the grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh spinach. Mix to fully combine and remove it from the heat.
Once the spinach has wilted, taste the couscous and adjust the sea salt and black pepper levels, if desired. Finally, add a spoonful of the couscous to a plate, alongside one of the salmon filets, then serve and enjoy!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Equipment
- Baking Sheet this is perfect for cooking the salmon
- Cast Iron Skillet I recommend using a 12-inch skillet for this recipe
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 4 6 Ounce Salmon Filets
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
- ½ Teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
For the Lemony Couscous:
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Small Onion, finely diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, mashed
- 2 Cups Pearl Couscous
- 2 ¼ Cups Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth
- ¾ Cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 2 Lemons, juiced
- 2 Cups Fresh Spinach
Instructions
- To make this recipe, start by preparing the salmon. Dry the salmon filets with a paper towel, then rub them generously with the olive oil and seasonings (the garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, and ground black pepper).
- Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the salmon filets to it.
- Turn the oven on to broil high, then transfer the salmon filets into the oven. Allow them to broil for 8-9 minutes on the middle rack, or until they reach your desired doneness. If you prefer your salmon rare like I do, then 9 minutes should be perfect. If you prefer a more well-done salmon, 10-12 minutes of cook time might be better.
- While the salmon is broiling, prepare the couscous. Heat a 12 inch skillet on the stove, over medium heat, and add in the olive oil.
- Dice the onion. Then, once the oil is hot, add in the onion and sauté it for 2-3 minutes.
- Then, add the garlic into the pan with the onion and sauté them both together for another minute.
- Once the minute is up, add in the dry couscous and toss it in the pan for 4-5 minutes, until it's toasted, fragrant, and golden brown.
- Then, pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and stir to coat everything well. Place the cover on the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 12-15 minutes, until the couscous is cooked through but not soggy. It should still have some "bite" to it!
- Remove the cover from the pan and add in the grated parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh spinach. Mix to fully combine and remove it from the heat.
- Once the spinach has wilted, taste the couscous and adjust the sea salt and black pepper levels, if desired.
- Finally, add a spoonful of the couscous to a plate, alongside one of the salmon filets, then serve and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
This was so good… absolutely DELICIOUS. I cut the recipe in 1/2 and added 2 bags of spinach (instead of sautéing it separately). I loved it. Followed directions exactly (other than spinach). I added salt as I normally would and would have been happy with twice as much lemon. Yum Yum YUM!!!
My family loved this!
I made this subbing orzo for the couscous and it worked great. Will be adding this to our family’s rotation !
Salmon was delicious and easy!
So happy to hear that, Dana! Thank you for your review!
Tasty recipe! Only issue was that lemon zest is missing from the ingredient list. Easy fix. 🙂
Oh no, we will fix that! Thank you for letting me know, Ellie!
This recipe was absolutely delicious!!!!! My whole family loved it! This will be made on repeat in our house!
Woohoo! Thanks for leaving a review Julie!
My family loved this!
Thanks for the review Julie! So happy that the whole fam loved it!