If you’re looking for a simple, yet delicious weeknight dinner that is bursting with flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes, then I have the perfect recipe for you. My Quick & Easy Salmon with Tomato Lemon Sauce is bursting with flavor and makes for the perfect healthy dinner to throw together in a pinch. Plus, the sauce tastes even better the next day, making the perfect recipe for an easy meal prep!
Friends, if any of you have kids, then you may know that finding a recipe that the whole family will enjoy is like searching for a needle in a haystack. If I’m not making chicken tenders or grilled cheese, then it’s a toss-up as to whether or not both of my boys will be on-board with a recipe. Sometimes one likes one, sometimes the other doesn’t. And sometimes, both of them veto the recipe immediately. I’m hoping it’s a phase that they will both grow out of.
But in the meantime, I will take my wins where I can get them, and if there’s one more “grown up” food that my boys cannot resist, it’s salmon. And to be honest, I don’t blame them. After all, who doesn’t like salmon?! It’s tender, it’s flaky, and with a few simple steps to prepare it properly, it will melt in your mouth. This recipe has to be my new favorite preparation.
This tomato lemon sauce is incredibly simple, yet it’s bursting with flavor and is perfect for the summertime. The flavors feel s bright and cheerful, and also look beautiful on the plate. As the weather gets warmer, I can’t wait to serve this outside for a sunny backyard dinner!
7 Ingredients Needed to Make This Simple Salmon Recipe
- Salmon: Of course, you’ll need salmon in order to make this recipe! No matter what cut or type of salmon you prefer, this recipe works well with all types, and turns out absolutely delicious every time.
- Garlic: You’ll want to use fresh garlic in this recipe. Fresh garlic adds the most delicious, toasted flavor to this recipe and truly takes it to the next level!
- Capers: Capers add a salty, briny flavor to this sauce that is truly unbeatable.
- Lemon: You’ll need both the juice and zest of one lemon for this recipe.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Blistered cherry tomatoes is truly one of the best ingredients to help elevate a dish. And, they are essential for getting this sauce to turn out perfectly.
- Basil: Basil adds the perfect finishing touch to truly bring this sauce together.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil works PERFECTLY in this recipe and will be used for both the sauce and the salmon.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper: These will be used to season your salmon and give it the best flavor.
How to Make This 30-Minute Dinner Recipe
This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner to throw together in a pinch! Simply start by heating your olive oil, in a pan, over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add in your garlic, capers, and lemon zest and sauté until they’re cooked, but being careful that the garlic doesn’t burn. Once they’re cooked through, add in your tomatoes, lemon juice, and sea salt, stirring until the tomatoes begin to blister. Finally, add in your basil and stir to combine. Set your sauce to the side.
Next, prepare your salmon by seasoning your salmon generously, on both sides, with sea salt and pepper. Then, heat a skillet full of oil, over medium heat, and place a square sheet of parchment paper inside, dipping it in the oil on either side. Place your salmon on top of the parchment paper, and cook for 5 minutes on either side.
Finally, plate your salmon, top it with the tomato lemon sauce, 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 Gayle McLeod
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Salmon, cut into filets
- 3 Cloves Garlic, mashed
- 2 Tablespoons Capers, mashed
- 1 Lemon, zested + juiced
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- ¼ Cup Basil, chopped
- ¼ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more for pan roasting the salmon
Instructions
- Start by heating your olive oil, in a pan, over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add in your garlic, capers, and lemon zest and sauté until they're cooked, but being careful that the garlic doesn't burn.
- Once they're cooked through, add in your tomatoes, lemon juice, and sea salt, stirring until the tomatoes begin to blister. Finally, add in your basil and stir to combine. Set your sauce to the side.
- Next, prepare your salmon by seasoning your salmon generously, on both sides, with sea salt and pepper.
- Then, heat a skillet full of oil, over medium heat, and place a square sheet of parchment paper inside, dipping it in the oil on either side. Place your salmon on top of the parchment paper, and cook for 5 minutes on either side.
- Finally, plate your salmon, top it with the tomato lemon sauce, serve, and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
Fabulous recipe, quick and delicious! You know Nicole, you have become kind of like a first point of reference when I look for a recipe based on an ingredient that I have at home. And the trick with baking paper when searing the salmon is genius, thanks!
Alex, that means the world to me! Thank you so very much for making this recipe and for all of your support. It doesn’t go unnoticed and truly means so much! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe. ☻
One of the best salmon recipes I’ve made in a long time! Fresh garden cherry tomatoes and basil and salmon from the fish market . It came together easily and I love the parchment paper trick! Leftovers were equal as good. This will definitely be made again and again!!!
Jill, I am so thrilled that you loved this recipe so much!! Thank you so much for your review, it truly means so much to me!
10/10!!! Easy and delicious esp with cherry tomatoes in season. Parchment paper trick was so helpful!
Amazing! Glad the trick was helpful too and thank you for leaving a review!