One-Pot Sesame Salmon and Quinoa 

By Kay Chun

Published April 22, 2025

One-Pot Sesame Salmon and Quinoa 
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich.
Total Time
45 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
4(278)
Comments
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This vibrant and satisfying one-pot meal pairs quick-cooking quinoa with rich, silky salmon. Broccoli and garlic are softened in olive oil to create a flavorful vegetable base for the quinoa, which steams in the pot until al dente. Cubed salmon is added during the last 10 minutes of cooking to ensure juicy, tender and flaky fish. The punchy dressing combines just three ingredients — ponzu (a pantry flavor bomb), tahini and lemon juice — yet creates a rich and tangy sauce that can be doubled to use later in the week on roasted chicken or leafy green salads.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½cup finely chopped white onion
  • 6ounces broccoli florets, chopped into ½-inch pieces (2 packed cups)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3garlic cloves, minced
  • 1¼ cups/8 ounces quinoa, rinsed
  • 1½ pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 6tablespoons tahini
  • ¼cup ponzu
  • 1tablespoon lemon juice, plus wedges for serving
  • ½cup chopped roasted almonds
  • ¼cup mixed chopped herbs (such as chives, parsley, dill and tarragon), plus more for garnish
  • 1avocado, thinly sliced or cubed
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

984 calories; 62 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 27 grams monounsaturated fat; 18 grams polyunsaturated fat; 58 grams carbohydrates; 14 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 55 grams protein; 962 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and broccoli, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds.

  2. Step 2

    Add quinoa and 2 cups of water, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat until quinoa is almost tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Season salmon with salt and arrange on top of the quinoa in a single layer. Cover and cook until salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, quinoa is tender, and all of the liquid has been absorbed, 5 to 7 minutes longer.

  4. Step 4

    Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine tahini, ponzu, lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of water; season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

  5. Step 5

    Add almonds and herbs to the pot and gently fluff the salmon and quinoa mixture with a fork.

  6. Step 6

    Divide the salmon and quinoa mixture among 4 shallow bowls and top each with some avocado. Drizzle with some of the ponzu dressing and garnish with more herbs. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
278 user ratings
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Comments

Karen

@Julie Ponzu substitute half and half soy sauce and lime juice, change proportions to taste.

Monica D

won't the broccoli get overcooked, if it's cooked with the quinoa? It seems to me that one ought to remove the cooked onions/broccoli and add it back at the end.

Beverly

I will definitely try this dish, as it sounds very appetizing. I know I am probably in the minority by requesting this, but I wish that some of the ingredients that may be unfamiliar to readers be marked with an asterisk and/or an explanation provided as to what they are. For example, ponzu. I know I can Goggle these, but perhaps these recipes take a lot for granted with readers' familiarity with some ingredients.

Jean

Just like most comments - I suggest just cooking each component separately so you are certain to get the textures you want. So many things went wrong for me and its ALOT of food to have ruined if you don’t get it perfect on the first try.

Julie

This was most disappointing. I read comments and made adjustments; cooked broccoli separately and added lemon, lots of lemon! The sauce did not impress either. Too bad.

Kathy

Well/ this was underwhelming. i kept on thinking i was missing a major spice component. And trust me, I am NOT one that loves super spicy! But this so bland. Maybe fresh ginger?

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