Ina Garten’s Savory Salmon With Melting Tomatoes Recipe

Salmon with melting tomatoes transforms an ordinary dinner into a culinary celebration of summer’s vibrant flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste that captivates your senses from the first bite.

Fresh tomatoes burst with juicy intensity, complementing the rich, succulent salmon perfectly.

The dish whispers elegance while remaining incredibly simple to prepare.

Bright, aromatic herbs weave through each component, elevating the entire experience beyond basic home cooking.

Delicate textures and bold flavors merge seamlessly, promising a meal that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Why Salmon with Melting Tomatoes Is So Loved

• Flavor Explosion: Combines sweet onions, juicy tomatoes, and tangy balsamic vinegar with rich, buttery salmon for a mouthwatering taste experience that dances across your palate.
• Quick and Elegant Cooking Method: Uses a simple yet professional two-step cooking technique (stovetop searing and oven finishing) that guarantees perfectly cooked salmon with a beautiful golden-brown crust in under 20 minutes.
• Versatile Serving Style: Offers flexibility in serving temperature, allowing the dish to be enjoyed hot, warm, or at room temperature, making it perfect for casual dinners or relaxed weekend gatherings with minimal last-minute preparation stress.
• Fresh Herb Finishing Touch: The addition of fresh basil leaves adds a bright, aromatic element that elevates the entire dish, bringing a garden-fresh brightness to the rich salmon and deep tomato sauce.

Inside the Melting Tomato Ingredient List

Main Ingredients:

• Salmon: Fresh, high-quality fish with rich flavor and omega-3 benefits. Wild-caught or high-grade farm-raised salmon works best for this recipe.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance salmon's natural taste. Freshly ground pepper provides more intense flavor.

• Sweet Onion: Provides a mild, sweet foundation for the sauce. Choose a fresh, firm onion with no soft spots.
• Tomatoes: Ripe, juicy tomatoes create a rich and flavorful base. Cherry or vine-ripened tomatoes work perfectly.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic complexity to the tomato mixture. Fresh garlic cloves offer the most robust flavor.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and brushing salmon. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best taste.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and depth to the tomato sauce. Aged balsamic offers more complex flavor.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Provides a fresh, herbal note to complete the dish. Use bright green, fragrant basil leaves.

How to Prepare Salmon Ina’s Way

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 425°F (220°C) and get ready for culinary magic.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

• Chopped sweet onion

Sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Build Aromatic Foundation

• Halved tomatoes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook slowly for 10-15 minutes, allowing liquid to reduce and sauce to thicken.

Step 4: Enhance Sauce

• Balsamic vinegar
• Fresh basil leaves

Step 5: Prepare Searing Surface

Heat a large cast-iron skillet on high heat for 5 minutes to create perfect caramelization.

Step 6: Season Salmon

Brush salmon with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper.

Step 7: Achieve Golden Crust

Place salmon skin-side up in hot skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes without moving until beautifully browned.

Step 8: Finish In Oven

Flip salmon skin-side down and transfer skillet to preheated oven. Bake 8 minutes.

Step 9: Let Salmon Rest

Remove from oven and let salmon relax under foil for 5 minutes.

Step 10: Serve With Flair

Reheat tomato sauce, taste and adjust seasoning. Plate salmon and spoon sauce alongside.

Tips for Balancing Tomato and Salmon Flavors

• Slow Sauté Secrets: Gently cook onions over low heat to develop a sweet, deep flavor that enhances the entire dish's richness.
• Preheat Like a Pro: Heat your cast-iron skillet until it's smoking hot to create a perfect golden-brown crust on the salmon.
• Perfect Salmon Timing: Eight minutes in the oven ensures a tender, slightly translucent center that remains juicy and delicate.
• Foil Rest Magic: Covering the salmon with foil after cooking allows it to continue gently cooking and retain maximum moisture.
• Fresh Tomato Tip: Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for the most vibrant and intense flavor in the melting tomato sauce.

Best Way to Store This Salmon Dish

• Portion Control: Divide salmon into individual servings before storing. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Vacuum Sealing: Use a vacuum sealer for maximum freshness and extended storage life. This method removes air completely, preventing oxidation and preserving the salmon's delicate texture and taste.
• Quick Cooling: Allow cooked salmon to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating. Place on a flat surface, uncovered, for 20-30 minutes to prevent moisture buildup and potential bacterial growth.

Salmon Variations for Tomato Fans

• Mediterranean Salmon Skillet: Enhance the tomato base with kalamata olives, capers, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version that adds tangy complexity to the original recipe.
• Spicy Herb Salmon Fusion: Incorporate red pepper flakes, fresh dill, and a splash of white wine into the tomato mixture, creating a zesty and aromatic alternative that elevates the dish's flavor profile.
• Smoky Roasted Vegetable Companion: Roast bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant alongside the tomatoes, blending them into a rich vegetable medley that complements the salmon's delicate texture and adds more depth to the meal.
• Asian-Inspired Salmon Remix: Replace balsamic vinegar with rice vinegar, add minced ginger, and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the dish, transforming the recipe with subtle Asian-inspired notes and a hint of umami.

All Done with the Melting Tomatoes Dish

Salmon with melting tomatoes emerges as Ina Garten’s culinary masterpiece, blending Mediterranean charm with sophisticated simplicity.

Mediterranean ingredients dance harmoniously across restaurant-quality plates prepared in home kitchens.

Cast-iron skillets create perfect salmon sears while balsamic-kissed tomatoes release complex flavor profiles.

Garten’s signature technique transforms humble ingredients into extraordinary dining experiences.

When plated alongside herbal notes and rich tomato reductions, salmon becomes Mediterranean poetry – beckoning you to savor each carefully crafted bite, share this delectable discovery, comment with culinary enthusiasm, and spread gourmet inspiration across social platforms.

Ina Garten Salmon With Melting Tomatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s salmon with melting tomatoes brings Mediterranean charm to dinner tables. Mediterranean herbs and ripe tomatoes create a sublime sauce that elevates delicate salmon fillets, promising restaurant-quality flavors you can savor at home.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 (2 pounds) salmon fillet, cut crosswise into 4 pieces

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 cup chopped sweet onion (such as Vidalia)
• 2 cups (1 pint) cherry or grape tomatoes, halved through the stem
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)

Seasonings and Condiments:

• 1 ½ tablespoons good balsamic vinegar
• 1 ½ tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 425°F (220°C), creating an ideal environment for cooking.
2. In a medium (10-inch) sauté pan, drizzle of olive oil over medium-low heat. Gently coax the chopped sweet onion into a tender, translucent state without allowing it to brown, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the pan, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom for 1 minute. Carefully fold in halved tomatoes, seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and the sauce thickens, roughly 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Remove the tomato mixture from heat, infusing it with balsamic vinegar and delicate basil leaves. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
5. Position a large (12-inch) cast-iron pan over high heat, allowing it to become scorching hot for 5 minutes.
6. Prepare the salmon by generously brushing each piece with olive oil, then liberally seasoning with salt and pepper.
7. Carefully place salmon pieces skin side up in the blazing hot pan, allowing them to develop a rich, golden-brown crust for 3 to 4 minutes without disturbing.
8. Skillfully flip the salmon using a small metal spatula, then transfer the entire pan to the preheated oven. Roast for 8 minutes, understanding the fish will not be completely cooked through.
9. Gently remove the salmon from the oven, transferring it to a serving platter. Tent with aluminum foil, letting it rest for 5 minutes to complete the cooking process.
10. Warm the tomato mixture, adjusting seasoning to taste. Serve alongside the salmon, offering a choice of hot, warm, or room temperature accompaniment.

Notes

• Resting allows the salmon to retain its juicy internal texture, preventing dryness and ensuring a tender bite.
• Achieving a perfect sear requires patience with the cast-iron pan, heating it thoroughly before adding the fish.
• Slow-cooking onions transforms their harsh bite into a sweet, mellow foundation that enhances the overall dish’s depth.
• Precise cooking time prevents salmon from becoming tough, maintaining its delicate, buttery consistency.
• Covering the fish with foil after cooking helps redistribute heat and lock in essential moisture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg