One-Pan Herb-Crusted Salmon with Vegetables

This one-pan herb-crusted salmon with vegetables is the kind of simple salmon recipe I lean on when I want dinner to feel like I tried (because it looks fancy) without actually babysitting multiple pots. You get tender, flaky salmon topped with a punchy, garlicky herb crust, plus caramelized veggies that catch all the drippings. The best part: it all cooks on one sheet pan, so cleanup is basically a victory lap. It fits right into the easy salmon recipes category, but it still tastes like something you would order at a bistro: bright lemon, lots of herbs, a little parmesan for savory depth, and a quick garlic-butter finish that makes everything smell unfairly good.

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One-Pan Herb-Crusted Salmon with Vegetables

Herb-crusted baked salmon and roasted vegetables cooked together on one pan with a quick garlic-butter drizzle.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Equipment

• rimmed sheet pan a standard 13 x 18-inch pan is ideal to prevent crowding; if you only have a smaller pan, use two pans so the vegetables roast instead of steaming
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil parchment makes cleanup easiest and helps prevent sticking; foil works too (lightly oil it so the herb topping does not glue itself on)
• Mixing bowl medium size for tossing vegetables and mixing the herb crust; a wide bowl is easiest for even coating
• Microplane or fine grater for lemon zest and finely grating garlic; substitute a chef knife and mince extra-fine if needed
• Instant-read thermometer optional but very helpful for nailing doneness; if you skip it, rely on visual cues like opaque flesh and easy flaking
• Fish spatula optional but perfect for lifting fillets cleanly; substitute a thin metal spatula

Ingredients

  

For the vegetables

• 1 cup baby potato halved (use any small waxy potato; larger potatoes should be cut into ¾-inch chunks so they cook on time)
• 2 cup broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces (swap with cauliflower florets or green beans)
• 1 cup cherry tomato left whole (grape tomato also works)
• 2 tablespoon olive oil or substitute avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt use less if your parmesan is very salty
• ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground if possible
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional but adds a gentle roasted flavor without heat

For the salmon and herb crust

• 4 piece salmon fillet about 6 ounce each, preferably center-cut; skin-on or skinless both work (see tips in steps)
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard helps the crust stick and adds tang; substitute whole grain mustard
• ⅓ cup panko breadcrumb for crunch; substitute regular breadcrumb for a tighter crust
• 3 tablespoon parmesan finely grated; substitute pecorino romano for a sharper finish
• 2 tablespoon parsley finely chopped (flat-leaf is best); substitute basil or cilantro for a different vibe
• 1 tablespoon dill chopped (fresh preferred); substitute chives
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest zest before juicing; this is the bright, perfumey part
• 1 clove garlic finely grated or minced (use ½ teaspoon garlic powder in a pinch)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil just enough to lightly moisten the crumbs so they brown evenly

For the quick garlic butter finish

• 3 tablespoon unsalted butter or use olive oil for a dairy-free option
• 1 clove garlic finely grated or minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
• 1 pinch kosher salt add only if needed after tasting

Instructions

 

Prep the pan and vegetables

1. Heat the oven to 425°F and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. This high heat is what makes the vegetables caramelize fast enough to keep the salmon from overcooking.
2. In a mixing bowl, toss baby potato, broccoli florets, and cherry tomato with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Spread everything on the sheet pan in a single layer, giving the potatoes cut-side down when possible for better browning. Roast for 10 minutes to give the potatoes a head start.

Make the herb crust and prep the salmon

1. While the vegetables roast, make the crust: in the same bowl (no need to wash), stir together panko breadcrumb, parmesan, parsley, dill, lemon zest, grated garlic, and olive oil. The mixture should look like damp sand; if it seems dry, add 1 teaspoon olive oil.
2. Pat the salmon fillet dry with paper towel (this helps browning and keeps the crust crisp). If using skin-on salmon, place it skin-side down later; the skin acts like a natural barrier and makes it easier to move the fish.

Bake everything on one pan

1. After the vegetables have roasted for 10 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Push vegetables to the sides to make four spaces in the center. Place salmon fillet pieces in the open spaces.
2. Spread a thin layer of dijon mustard over the top of each salmon fillet, then press the herb crust on top (do not pack it too hard; a light press keeps it airy and crunchy).
3. Return the pan to the oven and roast for 12 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque on the outside and flakes easily. If you are using an instant-read thermometer, aim for 125°F to 130°F in the thickest part for juicy salmon. This method is part of why this is one of my go-to easy salmon recipes: you get reliable results without fuss.
4. Optional for extra crunch: switch the oven to broil for 2 minutes to brown the topping. Watch closely so the crust does not burn; parchment can darken under broil, so keep the rack in the upper-middle position, not directly under the broiler.
5. Remove from the oven and let the salmon rest on the pan for 1 minute. Resting finishes the cook gently and keeps the fish from weeping juices when you serve.

Quick garlic butter finish (the fast way)

1. In a small bowl, microwave unsalted butter until just melted, about 30 seconds. Stir in grated garlic and lemon juice. Taste and add a pinch of salt only if needed. If you have ever wondered how to make garlic butter for salmon without dragging out a saucepan, this is the weeknight trick.
2. Drizzle a little garlic butter salmon-style over each fillet and spoon some over the vegetables too. Serve immediately, scraping up any roasty, lemony bits from the pan.

Pairings

Here is how I like to round out this one-pan salmon dinner, depending on your mood and what is in the fridge.

Starchy add-ons

• couscous or orzo: both soak up the lemon-garlic butter like a sponge. If you want a true easy salmon dinner, cook couscous while the sheet pan is in the oven.
• crusty bread: ideal for mopping up the buttery pan juices and any mustardy herb crumbs that fall off.
• quinoa or brown rice: keeps it firmly in the fish recipes healthy lane, and the nutty flavor plays nicely with dill and lemon.

Fresh and crunchy sides

• arugula salad: toss arugula with olive oil, lemon, and a pinch of salt. The peppery bite balances the richness of the topping.
• cucumber and red onion salad: vinegar-forward sides are great with salmon dishes because they cut through the fat.

Sauces and condiments

• extra lemon wedges: squeeze at the table for brightness.
• yogurt-dill sauce: stir plain greek yogurt with dill, lemon zest, salt, and a tiny splash of water to loosen it. Cool, tangy, and very weeknight-friendly.

Drink ideas

• white wine: sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio keeps things crisp and citrusy.
• beer: a light pilsner works, or a wheat beer if you love the herb notes.
• non-alcoholic: sparkling water with lemon or a lightly sweet iced tea.

If you are collecting salmon meal ideas, this is also great as leftovers: flake the salmon over greens with the roasted vegetables, then drizzle the remaining garlic butter as a warm dressing.

FAQs

What cut of salmon should I use for this recipe (and does skin-on matter)?

Use salmon fillet, ideally center-cut portions about 1 inch thick so they cook evenly with the vegetables. Skin-on is great for one-pan cooking because the skin helps insulate the fish from the hot pan and makes the fillets easier to lift. Skinless also works; just be extra gentle when moving it and make sure the pan is lined well.

Is this a baked recipe or can I do it on the stove?

This is a baked sheet-pan method, which is why it qualifies as a simple salmon recipe with minimal cleanup. You could do salmon sauteed in butter on the stove, but you would lose the one-pan vegetable roast and the crisp herb crust is harder to manage without overcooking the fish.

How do I know when the salmon is done without drying it out?

The most reliable way is an instant-read thermometer: pull it at 125°F to 130°F in the thickest part for tender, flaky salmon that stays juicy. Visually, the flesh should be mostly opaque and flake with gentle pressure. If it looks chalky and very dry, it went a bit too far.

Can I make this ahead for meal prep?

You can prep the herb crust and chop the vegetables up to 1 day ahead, storing them separately in the fridge. For the best texture, bake right before eating. Leftover salmon is still tasty, but the topping softens; reheat gently in a 300°F oven until warmed through, or enjoy cold flaked into a salad.

How can I make it lighter while still keeping the garlic butter salmon flavor?

Use 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoon olive oil for the finish, or skip butter entirely and do olive oil + garlic + lemon juice. You will still get that garlicky richness, just with a lighter feel that fits health dinner recipes and fish recipes healthy goals without sacrificing taste.