This bright and satisfying salmon dish brings together perfectly seared fillets, fluffy garlic-infused couscous and sweet roasted carrots. The star is a tangy lemon-Dijon butter sauce that ties everything together with a burst of flavor.
Ready in about 30 minutes, this meal is ideal for a quick yet impressive dinner. The combination of textures and flavors-crispy salmon skin, tender couscous and caramelized carrots-will make it a regular in your rotation.
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Recipe details
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Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450°F. Wash and dry produce. Trim, peel and cut carrots on a diagonal into ½-inch-thick pieces. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Zest and quarter lemon.
- Toss carrots on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of oil, salt and pepper. Roast on top rack until golden brown and tender, 20-25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add couscous, half the garlic and a big pinch of salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until couscous is toasted and garlic is fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Add stock concentrate and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook couscous until tender, 6-8 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
- While couscous cooks, pat salmon dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add salmon skin side down. Cook until skin is crisp, 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, 1-2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan and let cool slightly.
- Dice 2 tablespoons butter into ½-inch pieces. In a small bowl, combine mustard, 1 tablespoon water, ½ teaspoon sugar, juice from two lemon wedges and as much lemon zest as desired. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook until fragrant, 30-60 seconds. Whisk in mustard mixture. Add diced butter one piece at a time, whisking constantly, until melted and sauce thickens, 1-2 minutes. Keep covered off heat.
- Stir ½ tablespoon butter into couscous until melted. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Divide couscous and carrots between plates. Top couscous with salmon and drizzle with lemon-Dijon sauce. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice and remaining lemon wedges.
Recipe Tips
For extra crispiness, pat the salmon skin very dry before seasoning.
Toast the couscous until it smells nutty for deeper flavor.
Add the butter one piece at a time to emulsify the sauce smoothly.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of couscous?
Yes, but cooking times may vary. Israeli couscous (pearl couscous) works best; if using regular couscous, adjust liquid and time accordingly.
How do I know when the salmon is cooked through?
The salmon should flake easily with a fork and be opaque in the center. A meat thermometer should read 145°F.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative or additional olive oil, though the sauce texture may differ.

























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