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    November 1, 2023

    Sesame Crusted Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

    Our cheat sheet for making an easy salmon sheet pan dinner? Adding sesame (in four different ways), broccolini, fresh herbs and peppers, and lots of fresh garlic and ginger.

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    Sesame crusted salmon and broccolini on top of rice served with pepper salad and drizzled with chili tahini sauce.
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    Sesame Crusted Salmon With Broccolini And Fresh Herbs

    On a quest for new salmon sheet pan dinner ideas? If you’ve made our Asian Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner or Blackened Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner, you know that salmon makes a great baked centerpiece for any meal. This sesame crusted salmon features a fresh herb and pepper salad so all you need to do is steam up a batch of fresh White Rice!

    Sesame crusted salmon and broccolini on top of rice served with pepper salad and drizzled with chili tahini sauce.

    What Makes A Great Sheet Pan Dinner?

    This might seem obvious to those who have put their baking sheets to the test (over and over again). We salute you! In case you’re new to the sheet pan dinner club, we thought we’d do a quick intro. Our favorite sheet pan is one that is sturdy and no-frills, just a hard-working 13” x 18” commercial grade aluminum rimmed baking sheet will do. In terms of the actual baking, a high-heat oven is best, and choosing components that have similar cooking times or layering ingredients at different times, will result in the best textures.

    salmon, broccolini, peppers, rice, spices, fresh basil, chili paste, lime juice, tahini & sesame seeds in prep bowls

    Ingredients You’ll Need For This Baked Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

    • Sesame four ways: Toasted sesame oil, white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, and tahini (which is ground sesame paste)

    • Fresh herbs, ginger, and lime juice give this sheet pan life!

    • Broccolini or baby broccoli are a sheet pan dinner hero. It gets tender and has a nice crunch. Since broccoli is a great vegetable for baking, check out our Broccolini Au Gratin recipe too!

    • Salmon filet is the star of this healthy salmon sheet pan dinner with best friends broccolini, fresh herbs and peppers, and a scoop of White Rice.

    broccolini tossed with olive oil and salt on a baking sheet
    four 4 ounce salmon filets on a plate surrounded by bowls of salt, pepper and garlic powder to use for seasoning
    salmon dipped in egg & sesame oil then rolled in sesame seeds and placed on a baking sheet
    sesame crusted salmon and broccolini tossed with olive oil and salt on a baking sheet

    How to Make Sesame Crusted Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

    • Dress the broccolini with olive oil and salt.

    • Make the salmon coating: Dip the salmon filets first in the egg and sesame oil bath and then in the sesame seeds.

    • Bake the broccolini and salmon on a sheet pan in a 400°F for 10 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through and the broccolini is tender and bright green.

    • Make the pepper salad in a small bowl.

    • Make the chili tahini sauce in a second small bowl.

    • Assemble the rice, salmon, and broccolini between four bowls. Top with pepper salad and drizzle with chili tahini sauce.

    peppers, cilantro, basil, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, lime juice and salt in a bowl to make pepper salad
    pepper salad in a bowl made with peppers, cilantro, basil, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, lime juice and salt
    sesame crusted salmon and broccolini on a baking sheet
    tahini, lime juice, grated ginger, salt, garlic chili paste, and water mixed together in a glass bowl

    How to Store Baked Salmon + Tips

    • How do you choose your salmon? For this recipe you want pieces that are thick and relatively even in size to guarantee even cooking temperature. Ask the fish monger to take the skin off if you’re not a fan of doing it yourself.

    • Is garlic chili paste hot? It packs a little heat and a lot of flavor. If you want more heat, add more heat! If you want less, back off. If you can’t find it at your stores, use sriracha instead!

    • Leftovers are best eaten within a few days. You can freeze leftover salmon and broccolini easily in an airtight container. We don’t recommend freezing the pepper salad, so eat that up as an accompaniment to other proteins or grains!

    Sesame crusted salmon and roasted broccolini on a baking sheet with chop sticks
    Sesame crusted salmon and broccolini on top of rice served with pepper salad and drizzled with chili tahini sauce.

    More Great Salmon Recipes from The Modern Proper

    A Sheet Pan Dinner To Save For Weeknight Dinner Success!

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    Sesame Crusted Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

    Updated on November 1, 2023

    • Serves: 4
    • Prep Time:  25 min
    • Cook Time:  15 min
    • Calories: 581
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    Ingredients

    • 1 pound broccolini or baby broccoli
    • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 (1 pound) salmon fillet, skin removed, cut into four pieces
    • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 egg
    • 3 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
    • 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds
    • 3 tablespoons white sesame seeds
    • 10 sweet mini bell peppers, thinly sliced
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • 10 to 12 fresh basil leaves, ribboned
    • 1 teaspoon grated garlic
    • 2 teaspoons grated ginger
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)
    • ¼ cup tahini
    • 1 tablespoon garlic chili paste (such as sambal oelek)
    • 3 cups cooked rice, for serving

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to 400°F with the rack in center position.

    2. Toss broccolini on a large rimmed sheet pan with the olive oil and ½ teaspoon of the salt.

    3. Season the salmon with ½ teaspoon of the remaining salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

    4. In a shallow bowl, combine the egg with 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil. Combine the sesame seeds in a separate shallow bowl. Working with one piece of salmon at a time, dip the salmon in the egg mixture, turning to coat and allowing the excess to drip off. Then set the salmon in the sesame seeds, pressing to adhere on all sides. Transfer the salmon to the same sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked through and the broccolini is tender and bright green.

    5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the peppers, cilantro, basil, garlic, 1 teaspoon of the ginger, 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of the lime juice, and ½ teaspoon of the remaining salt. Set aside.

    6. In a second small bowl combine the tahini, remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice, remaining 1 teaspoon grated ginger, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, garlic chili paste, and ¼ cup of water. Mix until smooth.

    7. To serve, divide the rice, salmon, and broccolini between four bowls. Top with pepper salad and drizzle with chili tahini sauce.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories581
    • Protein39 g
    • Carbohydrates22 g
    • Total Fat39 g
    • Dietary Fiber6 g
    • Cholesterol149 mg
    • sodium895 mg
    • Total Sugars4 g

    Sesame Crusted Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner

    Questions & Reviews

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    • Jenn

      This dinner was EVERYTHING! the sesame crust was so delicious, I loved the crunch it gave to the salmon. Don't skip the pepper salad such a fun yummy addition.

      Thanks Jenn, we are so happy you loved it!