One-Pot Sesame Salmon and Quinoa 

By Kay Chun

Published April 21, 2025

  • David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
45 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Rating
4(315)
Comments
Read comments

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.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

    or to print this recipe.

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ½ cup finely chopped white onion

  • 6 ounces broccoli florets, chopped into ½-inch pieces (2 packed cups)

  • Salt and pepper

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1¼ cups/8 ounces quinoa, rinsed

  • 1½ pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 6 tablespoons tahini

  • ¼ cup ponzu

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus wedges for serving

  • ½ cup chopped roasted almonds

  • ¼ cup mixed chopped herbs (such as chives, parsley, dill and tarragon), plus more for garnish

  • 1 avocado, thinly sliced or cubed

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

58 grams carbs; 94 milligrams cholesterol; 984 calories; 27 grams monosaturated fat; 18 grams polyunsaturated fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 62 grams fat; 14 grams fiber; 962 milligrams sodium; 55 grams protein; 3 grams sugar

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.

Powered by

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.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

4 out of 5
315 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

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.

Dannys Mom

This is a great recipe. I am lucky to have more than one Asian supermarket nearby so made a quick trip for ponzu, an ingredient I had not previously purchased. I had some cooked broccoli on hand so just added after the salmon was cooked. Made this with Trader Joe's Harvest Grains, which I use all the time. I like the texture and it was perfect in this recipe. Sauce is delicious! Will definitely put this recipe in rotation.

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.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

or to save this recipe.