Sheet-Pan Salmon with Roasted Vegetables
⏱ 5 min prep · 🍳 20 min · 🍽 4
Sheet-pan salmon with roasted vegetables is one of those dinners where the order things go into the oven matters more than the recipe lets on: the vegetables need a head start. Dice the potato and carrot small, give them about ten minutes alone at 400°F/200°C, then lay the salmon on top with a few orange slices. That way the vegetables turn tender without the fish drying out — something most "everything on one tray" recipes conveniently skip over.
The orange takes the edge off the fish for kids raised on fish fingers, and a spoonful of pesto served on the side, not spooned over the top, lets anyone who doesn't want green stuff steer clear on their own terms. One tray in, one tray out also means the washing-up is done before anyone can argue about whose turn it is.
Counter to table runs about 25 minutes — short enough to become the same weeknight fixture every week, without anyone standing over two pans trying to time them both.
Ingredients
- 600.000 g laksefilet
- salt
- pepper
- ovnsbakte grønnsaker
- poteter
- 1.000 appelsin
- grønn pesto
Instructions
Krydre laksefiletene med salt og pepper.
Legg ovnsbakte grønnsaker i en ildfast form sammen med poteter.
Legg laksefiletene over potetene og grønnsakene.
Legg appelsinskiver over laksen.
Stek alt midt i ovnen på 180 grader i 15-20 minutter.
Server med pesto.
This is the one to slot into a regular weeknight when you want the oven to do the work and the washing-up done in under half an hour. Because the vegetables get a head start before the salmon goes in, the tray forgives someone getting home a little later than planned. The orange makes the salmon noticeably milder than plain baked fish, which is often enough to get a fish-skeptic kid past the first bite. Leftovers turn into a good cold lunch the next day, so one tray quietly covers two meals.
FAQ
Can I use frozen salmon fillets instead of fresh?
Yes — thaw it fully in the fridge overnight rather than at room temperature on the counter. Pat the fillets dry with paper towel before seasoning, since frozen salmon releases more liquid than fresh and can leave the tray watery. Add it once the vegetables have had their ten-minute head start at 400°F/200°C, exactly as you would with fresh.
How long do leftovers keep in the fridge?
Leftovers keep for two days in a sealed container in the fridge. Eat them cold in a lunch salad the next day, or reheat gently in the oven at 300°F/150°C for about ten minutes — the microwave tends to turn salmon rubbery fast. Don't refreeze it; salmon doesn't hold up well to a second freeze.
Can I swap the orange for something else?
Lemon is the easiest swap, but use about half as much since it's sharper than orange. If you've got neither on hand, skip the citrus in the tray and squeeze a little juice over the top just before serving instead. A few thin lime slices work too, though less is more there.
Why do the vegetables go in before the salmon?
Raw potato and carrot need a few more minutes in the oven than a salmon fillet to turn tender — roast everything from raw at the same time and the potatoes are still firm once the fish is already done. Give the vegetables a ten-minute head start alone at 400°F/200°C, then add the salmon on top and keep roasting until it flakes easily with a fork. Cut the pieces small, around half an inch, so that head start keeps them cooking evenly.
How do I adjust this for kids who are wary of strong flavors?
Put the pesto in a small bowl next to the tray rather than spooning it straight over the fish, so each kid can dip at their own pace or skip it entirely. Slice the orange thin and lay it on top so it's easy to pick off for anyone who doesn't want it. The first few times, plate the salmon and vegetables slightly apart rather than serving straight from the tray.
Can I prep this ahead for the week's meal plan?
Yes — season the salmon and chop the vegetables the night before, storing everything separately in sealed containers in the fridge. That way filling the tray on the night takes a couple of minutes, and the rest is just roasting time. Spread the vegetables in the tray first so they still get their oven head start before the salmon goes on top.