4-Ingredient Mediterranean Salmon

It’s ready in under 20 minutes.

By
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Sheela Prakash
Food and wine writer, recipe developer, and the author of Mediterranean Every Day. Her work can be found in numerous online and print publications.
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Updated November 04, 2024
Sheela Prakash
4-ingredient mediterranean salmon on a platter next to a bowl of lemon wedges and a glass of wine

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

When I’m cooking up something and I’m not sure what direction to go in, I almost always start in my spice cabinet. Inspiration comes in the form of opening a jar, taking a sniff, and seeing if it strikes me in the moment. 

That’s exactly how this Mediterranean salmon came into being. One whiff of sweet, herbaceous fennel seeds sends me straight to a sunny coastline. When combined with garlic and lemon zest, it gives instant flavor to fish fillets. 

Mediterranean is a very broad term and this recipe only just skims the surface of this wonderfully vast and varied cuisine. Fennel seeds, garlic, and lemon are common ingredients in Italian and Greek cuisines, both of which I’ve pulled quite loosely from with delicious results.

Fresh or Frozen?

Either fresh or frozen salmon can be used in this recipe. If using frozen salmon, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. 

Easy Variations

This recipe is all about making use of what you have on hand, so feel free to play around depending on what’s stocked in your kitchen:

  • No fennel seeds? Replace them with dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning. Or, if you happen to have fresh herbs on hand, use about 2 tablespoons of oregano, thyme, or rosemary leaves (or even fennel fronds!) and finally, chop them.
  • No lemon? About a quarter of a medium to large orange, or even one small clementine, can be used instead.
4-ingredient mediterranean salmon on a plate with rice and fresh vegetables

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

How To Serve My 4-Ingredient Mediterranean Salmon

This is a simple recipe with flavors that pair well with a countless number of other Mediterranean-inspired dishes. I like to serve it over orzo or rice and add a green vegetable like roasted broccoli or a simple green salad. 

Here are a few other great sides:

Mediterranean Salmon

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 4 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds

  • 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced

  • 1 small lemon, zested and juiced, divided

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 4 (6-ounce) skin-on or skinless salmon fillets

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

    Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven.

  2. Combine the garlic and spices:

    Crush the fennel seeds lightly with a mortar and pestle or by placing on a cutting board and using the flat side of a chef’s knife.

    Place the garlic, crushed fennel seeds, lemon zest, and several grinds of pepper in a small bowl and mix with a fork to combine.

  3. Prepare the salmon:

    Drizzle the olive oil in a baking dish large enough to fit the salmon fillets evenly with a little space between. Season the salmon all over with salt, place in the baking dish, and turn gently to coat in the oil. Place the salmon skin-side down and sprinkle the garlic-fennel mixture evenly on top, pressing down lightly with your fingers to adhere.

  4. Roast the salmon:

    Roast until the salmon is just cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the salmon registers 120°F to 130°F (for medium-rare), 10 to 15 minutes. If you like your salmon medium-well or well-done, cook for a few minutes longer.

  5. Drizzle with lemon juice and serve:

    Drizzle the lemon juice over the salmon and serve.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
418 Calories
28g Fat
2g Carbs
38g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 418
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 420mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 9mg 45%
Calcium 45mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 687mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.