Spiced Dijon Salmon with Apple Pecan Salad and Couscous

This vibrant dish brings together tender salmon fillets seasoned with a warm Turkish spice blend, featuring cumin, coriander, and a hint of chili. Paired with a creamy Dijon mustard sauce, fluffy couscous, and a crisp apple pecan salad, it’s a balanced meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.

The combination of savory spices, tangy mustard, sweet apples, and crunchy pecans creates a symphony of textures and flavors. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.

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Ingredients

1 unit Veggie Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup CouscousView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Skin-on SalmonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Turkish Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit AppleView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Brown SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Dijon MustardView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce ArugulaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce PecansView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring 1 cup water, the veggie stock concentrate, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small pot. Stir in the couscous, remove from heat, cover, and let stand until the rest of the meal is ready.
2. Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and season all over with salt, pepper, and the Turkish spice blend. Place the salmon skin-side down in the pan and cook until the skin is crispy, 3-6 minutes. Flip and cook to your desired doneness, about 3-4 minutes more.
3. Meanwhile, wash and dry all produce. Cut the lemon in half. Core and halve the apple, then thinly slice.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar and juice from one lemon half, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the Dijon mustard and sour cream, and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. In a large bowl, toss the arugula, apple slices, and pecans with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Fluff the couscous with a fork and season with salt and pepper. Divide the couscous between plates, top with the salmon, and drizzle with the Dijon cream sauce. Serve the apple pecan salad on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Large pan (nonstick recommended)

AmazonShop popular Large pan (nonstick recommended) on AmazonView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Medium bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Large bowl

Winco , 8-Quart, Stainless Steel (MXB-800Q)View on AmazonFox Run Brands 2.75-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl, 9 x 9 x 4 inches, MetallicView on AmazonMfacoy 2 Pack Salad Bowl, 8 inch 60 oz Large Serving Bowl Set, Deep Bowl for Kitchen, White Ceramic Bowl Set for Soup, Cereal, Ramen, Pasta, Salad, Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, Easy CleanView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of fish?

Yes, you can substitute salmon with another firm fish like trout or arctic char. Adjust cooking time as needed.

What can I use instead of couscous?

Quinoa, rice, or orzo would work well as a substitute for couscous.

Is there a dairy-free option for the sauce?

You can replace the sour cream with a dairy-free yogurt or omit it and use extra mustard and lemon juice.