Turkish-Spiced Salmon with Dijon Lemon Cream, Couscous and Apple Arugula Salad

This salmon dinner brings together warm Turkish-style spices, tangy Dijon, fresh lemon, and a creamy sauce that makes each bite feel balanced and bright.

Serve the pan-seared salmon over seasoned couscous with a crisp side salad of arugula, apple, and pecans for a simple meal with sweet, peppery, nutty, and savory flavors.

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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. In a small pot, bring 1 cup water, the veggie stock concentrate, and a pinch of salt to a boil.
2. Stir in the couscous. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let the couscous stand while you prepare the rest of the meal.
3. Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel. Season it all over with salt, pepper, and the Turkish spice blend.
4. Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, using a nonstick pan if available. Add the salmon skin-side down and cook until it reaches your desired doneness, 3 to 6 minutes per side.
5. Wash and dry the produce. Halve the lemon. Halve and core the apple, then thinly slice it.
6. Place the brown sugar in a medium bowl. Squeeze in the juice from one lemon half and stir until the sugar dissolves.
7. Add the Dijon mustard and sour cream to the lemon-sugar mixture. Stir until smooth, then season with salt and pepper.
8. In a large bowl, combine the arugula, apple slices, and pecans. Add a big squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of vegetable oil, then toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Fluff the couscous with a fork and season with salt and pepper.
10. Divide the couscous between plates. Top with the salmon, drizzle with the Dijon lemon cream sauce, and serve the apple arugula 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

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Paper towel

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView 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 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

Fork

Dinner Forks,Set of 16 Top Food Grade Stainless Steel Silverware Forks,Table Forks,Flatware Forks,8 Inches,Mirror Finish & Dishwasher Safe,Use for Home,Kitchen or RestaurantView on AmazonAmazon Basics Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe Dinner Forks with Scalloped Edge, Well-Balanced Weight, Silver, Pack of 12View on AmazonBriout Silverware, Dinner Fork 8 Inches, Forks Set of 12 Premium Food Grade Stainless Steel Forks for Home Kitchen Party Restaurant, Mirror Polished Dishwasher SafeView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

How do I know when the salmon is done?

Cook the salmon 3 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness and your preferred doneness. The fish should flake easily when gently pressed.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes. Stir together the lemon juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, sour cream, salt, and pepper ahead of serving, then keep it chilled until ready to drizzle over the salmon.

What allergens are in this recipe?

This recipe contains wheat from the couscous, fish from the salmon, milk from the sour cream, and tree nuts from the pecans.