Baked Salmon with Roasted Broccoli & Quinoa
By the QuiteRecipes team (Jamy & Kaïna) | Food Service Professional, Early Childhood Expert & Parents
DHA-rich baked salmon, roasted broccoli, and fluffy quinoa — a prenatal-and-postpartum powerhouse meal that cooks on one sheet pan plus one pot.
This dinner quietly hits four major priorities at once: salmon for DHA, broccoli for folate and iron support, quinoa for protein and fiber, and a lemon finish that keeps it bright. It's one sheet pan, one pot, thirty-five minutes — science-priority packed without any extra effort.
🥄 Ingredients
- 🫗 2 salmon fillets (about 150g / 5 oz each)
- 🫗 1 head broccoli (450g / 1 lb), cut into florets
- 🫗 2/3 cup (120g) dry quinoa, rinsed
- 🫗 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 🫗 1 lemon: zest + juice
- 🫗 2 garlic cloves, sliced (optional)
- 🫗 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 🫗 Black pepper and a pinch of salt
- 🫗 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped
Nutrition Facts*
*Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands and portion sizes. Values are provided per serving.
👨🍳 Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
Cook the quinoa with 1 cup water in a covered pan, 15 minutes; let it rest off the heat.
Toss the broccoli with half the olive oil, oregano, and a pinch of salt; spread over a sheet pan.
Roast the broccoli 10 minutes, then push it aside and lay the salmon on the pan.
Rub the salmon with the remaining oil, lemon zest, and pepper. Roast 10–12 minutes until just flaky.
Finish with lemon juice and fresh herbs; serve the salmon over the quinoa with broccoli alongside.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- ✕
Roasting broccoli in a crowded single layer that steams instead of browns.
- ✕
Baking salmon toward 15+ minutes — check early; it flakes at 12.
- ✕
Overcooking quinoa into mush by leaving the lid off mid-simmer.
🔄 Variations
Swap broccoli for broccolini or green beans.
Add a squeeze of those roasted lemon halves over everything at the end.
Serve with a spoon of pesto or Greek yogurt on the side for calcium.
🧊 Storage
- 📦
Refrigerate up to 2 days; keep the salmon and quinoa separately.
- 📦
Reheat gently; salmon is wonderful cold in salads too.
💡 Chef Tips
Tip 1: DHA lives in salmon skin-side up; a dry, seasoned fillet bakes into the flakiest, healthiest dinner.
Tip 2: Rinse the quinoa — it sheds bitterness and fluffs better.
Tip 3: Choose low-mercury fish like salmon twice a week; skip the big predators.
Tip 4: Double everything and eat leftovers cold over greens for lunch.
❓ FAQ
Which fish are safest in pregnancy? Low-mercury, fully cooked options like salmon are commonly recommended; check your provider's list and portion guidance.
Why does broccoli keep coming up? It's a folate and fiber MVP, and the vitamin C it adds helps iron absorption across the meal.
Is quinoa gluten-free? Yes — it's naturally gluten-free and a complete-ish plant protein.
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About the Authors
This recipe and guide was developed, tested, and approved in our home kitchen and daily life. Jamy is a retired Food Service District Manager and Early Childhood Program Manager who spent his career overseeing multi-site restaurant operations, large-scale culinary production, and daycare menu management. Kaïna brings the ultimate real-world test: making sure it brings ease and joy to our kids on a busy weeknight.
Read more about our professional background and philosophy →