Olive Oil Salmon Confit with Olive Lemon Gremolata | Nourish Deliciously

Introduction

If you’re searching for a restaurant-quality dish that’s easy to prepare at home, Olive Oil Salmon Confit with Olive Lemon Gremolata is your answer. This recipe gently poaches rich salmon fillets in fragrant olive oil, resulting in meltingly tender fish infused with subtle herbal notes. Topped with a vibrant olive lemon gremolata, it’s a show-stopping meal perfect for date night or impressing guests while still being simple enough for a nourishing weeknight dinner.

Why Olive Oil Salmon Confit with Olive Lemon Gremolata is a Must-Try

This technique transforms simple salmon into a luxurious, flavor-packed main dish. Slow-cooking in olive oil keeps the fish exceptionally moist and delicately flavored, while the zesty, tangy gremolata of olives, lemon, and fresh herbs brightens every bite. The contrast between the luscious salmon and punchy topping makes this meal unforgettable. Plus, the process is mostly hands-off, giving you plenty of time to prep sides or dessert.

How to Gently Confit Salmon for Perfection

To confit, simply bathe the salmon fillets in a generous amount of olive oil, flavored with aromatics like garlic, thyme, and lemon peel. The low, slow oven heat allows the fish to cook evenly without drying out, delivering fail-safe results whether you’re a beginner or seasoned cook. Use a high-quality, mild extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor and texture.

Making Olive Lemon Gremolata

The gremolata is a bold, fresh topping made by mixing chopped green olives, bright lemon zest, fresh parsley, and a hint of garlic. A dash of olive oil pulls it together for a punchy, savory mix that balances the richness of the salmon. You can adjust the ratio of lemon and olives to suit your preferences—this versatile garnish also works beautifully over veggies or roasted potatoes.

Serving Suggestions for an Elegant Presentation

Serve your salmon confit warm, on a platter, topped generously with olive lemon gremolata. It pairs well with simple sides like roasted seasonal vegetables, a crisp green salad, or herbed quinoa. For a stunning dinner, plate the salmon with extra lemon wedges and a sprinkle of finishing sea salt.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each serving provides approximately 420 calories (depending on exact olive oil absorption), loaded with healthy fats, lean protein, and antioxidants from fresh herbs and citrus. It’s a balanced meal you can feel good about!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Arrange the salmon fillets in a single layer in a baking dish. Season both sides generously with sea salt and black pepper. Scatter the smashed garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, and lemon peel around the fish.
3. Pour in enough olive oil to cover the salmon completely.
4. Carefully transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake (confit) for 30–35 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily but is still moist and tender.
5. Meanwhile, make the gremolata: Combine chopped olives, lemon zest, parsley, minced garlic, olive oil, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir gently and adjust seasoning as desired.
6. Use a slotted spatula to carefully transfer the confit salmon to serving plates. Spoon generous amounts of olive lemon gremolata on top. Add extra lemon zest or fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.

Weekly Meal Planning

Olive Oil Salmon Confit with Olive Lemon Gremolata is not only impressive for special occasions—it’s also ideal for batch cooking and meal prep! The gentle confit technique keeps leftover salmon moist for days, making it a delicious addition to salads, bowls, or sandwiches throughout the week.

Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to make this flavorful dish and instantly generate smart shopping lists that combine ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Instantly calculates total ingredient amounts across your meal plan
– Organizes your shopping list in store order for a quick, efficient trip
– Prevents duplicate purchases and missing items
– Simplifies prep for both special dinners and busy weeknights

Pro tip: When you add this salmon recipe to your weekly schedule with other dishes, CookifyAI will automatically consolidate ingredients—so you’ll know exactly how much olive oil and fresh herbs you need, saving you money and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

This Olive Oil Salmon Confit with Olive Lemon Gremolata delivers maximum wow-factor with minimum effort—add it to your repertoire for a nourishing and deliciously memorable meal!