Perfect Ina Garten Salmon Lentils Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Ina Garten’s salmon lentils represent a culinary symphony where robust legumes dance with delicate fish, creating an elegant Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.

Rich Mediterranean flavors intertwine through carefully selected ingredients that promise depth and complexity.

The dish balances earthiness with subtle marine notes, transforming simple components into something extraordinary.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in developing nuanced textures and harmonious taste profiles.

French green lentils provide a hearty foundation that complements the tender salmon perfectly.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe speaks to home cooks who appreciate refined yet uncomplicated meals.

The combination promises a sensory experience that elevates weeknight dining from mundane to memorable: prepare to be delighted.

A Look Inside the Salmon Lentils Ingredients

• Lentils: Hearty legume that forms the base of the dish, quick to cook and packed with protein.
• Chicken Stock: Rich liquid that adds depth of flavor and helps cook the lentils perfectly.
• Tomato Paste: Provides a concentrated tomato flavor and helps thicken the lentil mixture.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Bright ingredient that adds a tangy finish to the lentil base.

• Onions, Leeks: Foundational vegetables that create a sweet and complex flavor base.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and pungent flavor to the dish.
• Celery, Carrots: Fresh vegetables that add texture and subtle sweetness to the lentils.

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, high-quality fish that serves as the protein centerpiece of the dish.
• Olive Oil: Helps create a perfect sear and adds richness to the salmon.
• Thyme: Delicate herb that complements both the salmon and lentil base.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the fish and lentils.

Your Go-To Salmon Lentils Method

Step 1: Soak Lentils

Place lentils in a heat-proof bowl and cover completely with boiling water. Let them rest for 15 minutes, then drain thoroughly.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Olive oil
• Onions
• Leeks
• Fresh thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic

Heat oil in a sauté pan. Add onions, leeks, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until onions become translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for additional 2 minutes.

Step 3: Build Lentil Base

• Drained lentils
• Chopped celery
• Diced carrots
• Chicken stock
• Tomato paste

Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes until lentils reach tender consistency. Splash in vinegar and adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 4: Prepare Salmon Station

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Select an oven-proof sauté pan and heat it dry over high heat for 4 minutes.

Step 5: Season Salmon Fillets

Coat salmon with olive oil. Generously sprinkle salt and pepper on top surface of fillets.

Step 6: Sear and Roast Salmon

Place salmon seasoned-side down in scorching hot pan. Cook for 2 minutes without moving until deeply browned. Flip fillets and transfer pan directly to preheated oven. Roast 5-7 minutes for rare to medium doneness.

Step 7: Plate and Serve

Spoon warm lentil mixture onto plates. Gently place salmon fillet on top of lentils. Serve immediately while hot.

Pro Tips for Cooking Salmon Lentils

• Master Lentil Soaking: Boiling water helps break down tough fibers, leading to faster and more even cooking, ensuring a perfectly tender result.
• Select Premium Salmon: Choose wild-caught or high-quality farm-raised salmon with vibrant color and firm texture for the best flavor and nutritional value.
• Herb Infusion Technique: Crush fresh thyme between your fingers before adding to release maximum essential oils and deepen the aromatic profile of the dish.
• Precise Cooking Timing: Use a timer to track lentil and salmon cooking duration, preventing overcooking and maintaining optimal texture and moisture.
• Layering Flavor Secrets: Let the salmon rest after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, creating a more succulent and tender final presentation.

How to Keep Salmon Lentils Tasting Great

• Vacuum Seal: Remove excess air and seal salmon and lentils in a vacuum-sealed bag to preserve maximum freshness and prevent freezer burn. Keeps ingredients pristine for up to 4 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Glass Container Method: Transfer cooled salmon and lentils into a clean, airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate immediately after cooling to maintain optimal texture and prevent bacterial growth. Consume within 2-3 days for best quality.
• Portion Freezing Technique: Divide salmon and lentils into individual serving sizes using freezer-safe silicone containers or small portioned bags. Label each container with the date and contents. Freeze flat to save space and ensure quick, even thawing. Ideal for meal prep and quick weeknight dinners.

Recipe Variants for Salmon Lentils

• Mediterranean Salmon Lentils: Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth and add crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and fresh oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwestern Salmon Lentils: Mix in diced green chiles, cumin, smoked paprika, and top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Asian-Inspired Salmon Lentils: Incorporate ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an umami-rich experience.
• Herb-Crusted Salmon Lentils: Create a crust of chopped fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and chives mixed with breadcrumbs to sprinkle over the salmon before baking for added texture and flavor.

Wrap-Up of Ina’s Salmon Lentils

Salmon paired with lentils emerges as culinary poetry, blending Ina Garten’s signature elegance with rustic comfort.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance across plates, creating harmonious flavor profiles that whisper gourmet sophistication.

Delicate salmon nestles atop perfectly seasoned lentils, promising a balanced nutritional experience.

Weeknight dinner solutions meet restaurant-quality presentation through this simple yet refined recipe.

Home chefs can confidently craft restaurant-worthy dishes with minimal technical skill.

Passionate cooks, share this extraordinary salmon revelation across social platforms, spark conversation, inspire meal planning, and celebrate kitchen creativity with fellow epicurean enthusiasts.

Why You’ll Crave Salmon and Lentils

• Elevate Weeknight Dining: Transform an ordinary meal into a gourmet experience with minimal effort, combining rich lentils and perfectly seared salmon in one elegant dish.
• Master Simple Culinary Techniques: Learn professional-level cooking methods like precise pan-searing and oven-finishing salmon, creating restaurant-quality results at home without complex skills.
• Nutritional Powerhouse Combo: Enjoy a balanced plate packed with protein-rich salmon and fiber-loaded lentils, delivering incredible flavor and substantial nutritional benefits in every delicious bite.

Ina Garten Salmon Lentils Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Salmon nestled on a bed of French lentils creates a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired dish from Ina Garten’s kitchen. Rustic ingredients mingle with delicate salmon, offering a perfect balance of protein and earthy legumes that invite you to savor each elegant bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein Ingredients:

• 4 8-ounce (226 grams) center-cut salmon fillets, skin removed
• 3 5-pound (2.27 kilograms) whole chickens

Vegetable and Herb Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped yellow onions
• 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts only
• 1 ½ cups chopped celery (4 stalks)
• 1 ½ cups chopped carrots (3 carrots)
• 3 large onions, unpeeled and quartered
• 6 carrots, unpeeled and halved
• 4 celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds
• 4 parsnips, unpeeled and cut in half (optional)
• 1 head garlic, unpeeled and cut in half crosswise
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 20 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 15 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 20 sprigs of fresh dill

Liquid, Seasoning, and Additional Ingredients:

• ½ pound (227 grams) French green lentils (lentilles du Puy)
• ¼ cup good olive oil
• 1 ½ cups homemade chicken stock (recipe follows) or good canned broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

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Instructions

1. Hydrate lentils by submerging them in boiling water for 15 minutes, then thoroughly drain to remove excess liquid.
2. In a sauté pan, warm olive oil and gently sauté onions, leeks, thyme, salt, and pepper over medium temperature until onions become translucent, approximately 10 minutes.
3. Incorporate minced garlic into the vegetable mixture and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
4. Add drained lentils, chopped celery, diced carrots, chicken stock (473 milliliters or 16 fluid ounces), and tomato paste to the pan.
5. Reduce heat, cover the pan, and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils reach a tender consistency.
6. Enhance the lentil mixture with a splash of vinegar and adjust seasoning according to personal preference.
7. Preheat oven to 232 degrees Celsius (450 degrees Fahrenheit) to ensure proper cooking temperature.
8. Select an oven-proof sauté pan and heat it thoroughly on high heat for 4 minutes.
9. Massage salmon fillets with olive oil and generously season the surface with salt and pepper.
10. Place seasoned salmon fillets in the scorching hot pan, cooking for 2 minutes until a rich brown crust forms.
11. Carefully flip the fillets and transfer the pan to the preheated oven, roasting for 5-7 minutes until salmon reaches desired doneness.
12. Plate by creating a bed of seasoned lentils and delicately positioning the salmon fillet on top.
13. Serve immediately while the dish maintains optimal temperature and flavor profile.

Notes

• Mastering the timing is crucial for tender, not mushy lentils that absorb flavors perfectly.
• Freshness transforms this dish from ordinary to extraordinary, so select vibrant herbs and crisp vegetables.
• Boiling water kickstarts the lentil preparation, helping them soften and cook more uniformly.
• Gentle simmering allows each ingredient to release its unique essence without losing nutritional value.
• Precise water temperature and soaking duration ensure a consistent, delightful texture in every bite.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg