By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 27, 2025
Herb Crusted Salmon with Goat Cheese Polenta is my favorite easy salmon recipe! This oven-baked tender and succulent salmon has so much flavor with minced herbs. When mixed with roasted tomatoes and cheesy polenta, it just makes the perfect weeknight meal!
5-Star Review
“I’ve made this recipe countless times. Delicious, delicious, delicious!” -Siena
Herb Crusted Salmon
I always love quick and simple one sheet pan dinners and my Baked Herb Salmon is one of my favorites! The herb mix (basil, parsley) and dijon mustard add so much flavor to the baked salmon fillets. The entire meal comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s one of my favorites to make for a romantic date night or a weeknight dinner for my family.
Tips For Beginners
- Salmon cooking temperature will vary by thickness. Refer to my Meat Temperature Chart .
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
- ▢ 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ▢ 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- ▢ 1 cup fresh parsley chopped
- ▢ ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- ▢ 1 clove garlic minced
- ▢ 1½ cups breadcrumbs regular or Panko
- ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
- ▢ 1½ cups yellow corn polenta
- ▢ 4 cups water
- ▢ 5 ounces goat cheese
- ▢ Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- In a high powered blender or food processor, combine the parsley, basil, garlic, breadcrumbs (or panko), olive oil, and salt. Blend until fully combined and minced. Set aside. 1 cup fresh parsley, ½ cup fresh basil, 1 clove garlic, 1½ cups breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt
- Place the salmon fillets on the baking sheet. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of Dijon mustard onto each salmon fillet in a thin layer. 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Top each piece of salmon with a heaping spoonful of the minced herb mixture. Press down to make sure it attaches and forms a crust on each piece. Lay the cherry tomatoes around the salmon. 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked and flaky throughout.
- While salmon is cooking, prepare the polenta. In a large heavy pan, bring the water (follow package instructions) and salt and pepper to taste to a boil. 4 cups water, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Stir in the polenta and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until its thickened to your liking. Turn off the heat and stir in the goat cheese. 1½ cups yellow corn polenta, 5 ounces goat cheese
- Spoon some polenta into each bowl and top with salmon and cherry tomatoes. Eat it all together, the flavors are incredible! Enjoy!
Becky’s Tips
- Dill, parsley, tarragon are other alternatives for herbs.
- Add carrots, potatoes, beans, broccoli, or other vegetables while baking for extra flavor.
- Frozen salmon also works. Pat them dry before applying Dijon mustard. Swap salmon with shrimp for another version.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Herb Crusted Salmon With Polenta Step by Step
Start by preheating the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
Make the herb mix and prepare salmon: In a high-powered blender or food processor, combine 1 cup of fresh parsley, ½ cup of fresh basil, 1 clove garlic, 1½ cups of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Blend until fully combined and minced. Set aside.
Pat dry all 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets and arrange in a lined baking sheet pan. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of Dijon mustard (out of 2 tablespoons) onto each salmon fillet in a thin layer.
Then top each fillet with a large spoonful of the minced herb mixture. Press the herbs into the dijon to form the crust. Lay 2 cups cherry tomatoes around the salmon.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked and flaky throughout.
Cook polenta : While the salmon is baking, prepare the polenta. Bring a pot of water (with 4 cups water, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper) to a boil.
Stir in the 1½ cups yellow corn polenta, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the polenta becomes thick.
When it’s done cooking, turn off the heat and stir in the 5 ounces goat cheese.
Serve : To serve the salmon and polenta meal fill each bowl with a good helping of goat cheese polenta, place the herb crusted salmon fillet, then top with some of the roasted tomatoes! Enjoy!
How to Store
Refrigerate leftovers (in separate containers) in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Serve cold with salads or reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals. You can also reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm. Polenta may thicken while storing. Add some water (or chicken stock) for desired consistency.
To make ahead of time, freeze the baked herby salmon (wrap each fillet in the foil) for 1-2 months. Reheat in the oven until desired crispiness and crust. Make fresh polenta to serve along.
Serving Suggestions
Baked crusted salmon goes very well with Mashed Potatoes or with a bed of Basmati Rice . I also like to serve Spicy Cheesy Broccoli or Almondine Beans for fancier dinner.
Don’t forget to add some White Wine Margaritas !
More salmon recipes to try
Lemon Butter Salmon in Parchment Paper
Tequila Lime Salmon Salad
Baked Salmon and Asparagus Recipe with Hoisin Sauce
Pesto Salmon
Garlic Butter Salmon
Salmon Piccata
25 Easy Salmon Recipes
Herb Crusted Salmon with Goat Cheese Polenta
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh parsley chopped
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1½ cups breadcrumbs regular or Panko
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ cups yellow corn polenta
- 4 cups water
- 5 ounces goat cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- In a high powered blender or food processor, combine the parsley, basil, garlic, breadcrumbs (or panko), olive oil, and salt. Blend until fully combined and minced. Set aside. 1 cup fresh parsley, ½ cup fresh basil, 1 clove garlic, 1½ cups breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt
- Place the salmon fillets on the baking sheet. Spread 1/2 tablespoon of Dijon mustard onto each salmon fillet in a thin layer. 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Top each piece of salmon with a heaping spoonful of the minced herb mixture. Press down to make sure it attaches and forms a crust on each piece. Lay the cherry tomatoes around the salmon. 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked and flaky throughout.
- While salmon is cooking, prepare the polenta. In a large heavy pan, bring the water (follow package instructions) and salt and pepper to taste to a boil. 4 cups water, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Stir in the polenta and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until its thickened to your liking. Turn off the heat and stir in the goat cheese. 1½ cups yellow corn polenta, 5 ounces goat cheese
- Spoon some polenta into each bowl and top with salmon and cherry tomatoes. Eat it all together, the flavors are incredible! Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Dill, parsley, tarragon are other alternatives for herbs.
- Add carrots, potatoes, beans, broccoli, or other vegetables while baking for extra flavor.
- Frozen salmon also works. Pat them dry before applying Dijon mustard. Swap salmon with shrimp for another version.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
