In the early days, before Weight Watchers freestyle points, smart points, personal points, or the blue plan (which I was on) or green plan and purple plans, I ate low-fat microwave popcorn for dinner pretty much every Thursday. Yep, not exactly a healthy meal, but I didn't have much choice back then. Plus, I was really sick of that Weight Watchers cabbage soup.
It would be the day before weigh day and I never had enough points left to eat dinner. Then Weight Watchers freestyle happened, and then a few other iterations of the program, and now I can eat THIS on Thursday nights, even if I'm completely out of points (which I always am.) Because it's zero points, yes that's right - 0 ww points!!!! I created this 5 ingredient Sheet Pan Salmon when I trying to come up with quick, easy, and zero point recipes for the day before weigh day. Now I no longer have to resort to microwave popcorn ... So if you're looking for weight watchers salmon recipes, you'll love this one!
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This easy 5 ingredient Sheet Pan Salmon is WW friendly @ zero (0) points and perfect for the day before weigh day! This recipe is quick, as it's made with frozen salmon fillets and a few ingredients like soya sauce, cilantro, ginger, and sesame seeds. Best of all, you don't have to sacrifice taste!
You can read about my other Weight Watchers Tips and Tricks HERE.
This Weight Watchers Salmon is one of the very best 0 (ZERO) point foods I have ever eaten. And it's healthy fats you are eating, as salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids; so much healthier than popcorn! It's also a great source of protein.
I've been following Weight Watchers for about the past 20 years ( you can read about my WW weight loss journey HERE!) and in the early days the only thing that was 'free' was that Weight Watchers zero point cabbage soup. And these days I honestly can't even think about it without throwing up in my mouth a little. I guess I completely OD'd on the stuff. I'm really glad there's so much more 'free' point food now, like eggs, fish, and chicken; it sure beats cabbage soup!
🥘Ingredients
This recipe uses frozen salmon, which is perfect for those nights when you need something substantial, and healthy but have no points left! You will also need:
- fresh cilantro
- soy sauce
- fresh ginger
- sesame seeds
- black pepper (optional)
*See recipe card for quantities
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Spicy - to spice it up, you can use crushed red pepper flakes
- Salmon - you can use frozen or fresh salmon and you could use other types of fish for this recipe (i.e. trout)
- Green onions - you could add green onions as a garnish or instead of cilantro
🥗 Side Dishes
I serve it with some steamed veggies (asparagus is quick and tasty and can be steamed in the microwave for 3-5 minutes- Here’s how to steam asparagus in the microwave ). Then I squirt some lemon on both the salmon and asparagus and it's not only delicious, it's healthy, easy, and NO POINTS! *See more ww recipes for side dishes at the bottom of the post!
And if you still have some points left, you can serve it with brown rice (or cauliflower rice if you don't have points).
👪 Serving Size
This salmon recipe makes 6 servings. However, you can double or triple the recipe. if you have a big crowd, by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust. You will just need additional sheet pans.
🔢WW Points
This weight watchers salmon recipe is 0 weight watchers points.
🍽Equipment
You will need a sheet pan for this recipe, as well as a spatula/fish turner. An instant-read thermometer affiliate links) (shown below) is the best way to check for doneness. Salmon shouldn't be cooked past 125 degrees F (52 degrees C) or it tastes dry. *If you are using wild salmon, cook to 120 degrees F (48 degrees C)
🌡️Storage
Store leftover salmon in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge. I actually don't like to eat it after 24 hours, as it starts to taste too fishy.
🦺Food Safety
- Cook salmon to 125 degrees F/ 74 degrees C
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
💭 Top tip
Part of the reason that this healthy salmon recipe tastes so magically delicious is because of the fresh ginger. But if you're wondering about how to store fresh ginger then I'm here to tell you the secret - keep your fresh ginger in the freezer, then peel off the part you need with a vegetable peeler and grate it frozen right into or onto your food! It lasts forever, it's super easy to use and it always tastes fresh!
So if you are looking for Weight Watchers salmon recipes, then give this super simple and delicious one a try - it's one the whole family will love! And be really grateful you're not eating microwave popcorn for dinner (haha)!
And if you're looking for more healthy salmon recipes, be sure to check out my Salmon Burgers (this is also an air fryer salmon recipe!)
📋 Sheet Pan Salmon Recipe (Weight Watchers friendly)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs frozen salmon fillets 680 g
- 4 tablespoon gluten-free soya sauce
- 4 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 3 tablespoon fresh cilantro * you can substitute dried but it's not nearly as good!
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F/232 degrees C (or temperature as directed on frozen salmon package directions) and spray a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- Place fish on baking sheet.
- Pour soya sauce, diving equally per piece.
- Grate on ginger , dividing it between all pieces.
- Sprinkle on sesame seeds, dividing between all pieces.
- Top with cilantro , dividing between all pieces.
- Cook for 15 - 20 minutes, or as directed on directions of frozen salmon fillet package. * It will be ready when internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F (51 C)
- Serve with lemon wedges and steamed asparagus, if desired.
Laurie Sterbens
Omg that is a great tip about the ginger! I'm always afraid to buy too much at a time, then I never have it when I want it.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Laurie! Glad you found it helpful - sure helped me when I discovered it too 🙂
Sarah Campbell
Can you tell me a substitute for soya sauce? Thanks!
Terri Gilson
Hi Sarah,
Fish sauce, worcestershire sauce seem to be your best bets. But it's best with soya sauce (soy sauce in US).
You can make your own with the recipe here: https://www.purewow.com/food/substitute-for-soy-sauce
Sarah
Thanks Terri! Once I learned that “soya” sauce was actually “soy” sauce (I live in the US), that solved the problem 🙂 I’m glad I don’t have to go find a rare exotic grocery item now! Lol
Good to keep those other substitutes in mind though!
Made it update-
While my husband thought the ginger was too intense (I probably put on too much), I thought it was very tasty- and my 3 year old LOVED it 🙂
It was a very healthy meal too! I served it with quinoa and steamed stir fry vegetables. Thanks for the recipe!
Terri Gilson
Great to know, Sarah!
yana mednik
Maybe stupid question: we supposed to thaw salmon before cooking? Or use frozen?
Thank you
Terri Gilson
Not stupid at all! You can do either, but just be sure to follow the directions on the package of frozen salmon you are using. Most cook from frozen and that's what I do, as I don't usually plan ahead haha Hope you enjoy it!