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This stuffed salmon recipe is incredibly delicious — salmon fillets are stuffed with a creamy, savory filling made from cream cheese, garlic, melted butter, parmesan, and spinach, then baked to perfection. A main dish that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough for company or an at-home date night!
See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
Why This Recipe is So Good
- This yummy dinner comes together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for weeknight meals when you want something special without the fuss, but it’s also posh enough for entertaining, if you’re invited to a potluck, or bring this out on date night.
- Salmon is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and essential nutrients – but here’s the best part: the creamy, cheesy filling makes it irresistible to even the pickiest eaters!
- The creamy, cheesy spinach filling transforms simple salmon fillets into something you’d order at an upscale restaurant — for real! Make it even fancier by pairing with some delicious sides: Best Ever Rice Pilaf, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes (or switch to the dairy-free version), Sautéed Green Beans, or Cheesy Roasted Asparagus.
- We’re using the broiler instead of baking, which means faster cooking time and a beautifully caramelized top. Also, the butter in the pan creates a sauce that is truly incredible in taste, making this one of the epic stuffed salmon recipes.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
- Look for center-cut salmon fillets that are at least 1-inch thick. Thinner pieces will be harder to stuff and risk drying out during cooking. The thicker, center portions hold the filling better and cook more evenly.
- Cut your pockets carefully to avoid tears. Start about 1/2 inch from one edge and cut horizontally through the center of the fillet, stopping 1/2 inch from the opposite side. Don’t cut all the way through! This creates a perfect pocket while keeping the salmon intact.
- Be mindful not to overstuff the salmon! You want a generous amount of filling, but if you pack too much in, it might cause the fish to tear or the filling to spill out during cooking.
- To get that amazing golden-brown top without overcooking the fish, position your rack 8-10 inches from the broiler element.. Keep a close eye during those last few minutes – broilers can go from golden to a blackened mess quickly!
Recipe Variations
Mediterranean Style: Swap the spinach for sun-dried tomatoes and add some chopped kalamata olives to the cream cheese mixture.
Crab Stuffed Salmon Version: Replace half the cream cheese with lump crab meat for an ultra-luxurious twist.
Herb-Crusted: Mix some panko breadcrumbs with fresh herbs and sprinkle on top before broiling for extra crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
The key is cutting proper pockets in the salmon (about 3/4 of the way through without cutting all the way), stuffing it with the cream cheese mixture, and broiling 8-10 inches from the heat source for 6-9 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Using the broiler method, cook for 6-9 minutes (6 for medium-rare, 9 for well-done). If baking instead, cook at 375°F for 18-22 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Totally! You can stuff the salmon and have it ready in the fridge up to 4 hours before cooking. Just bring it to room temperature for about 15 minutes before broiling.
No problem – use a regular baking dish instead. Just add the butter pats to the dish and proceed with the recipe as written.
Absolutely, just make sure it’s completely thawed and patted dry before stuffing and cooking.
More Incredible Salmon Recipes
- Marry Me Salmon
- Lemon Pepper Salmon
- Smoked Salmon Carpaccio (2 Ways)
- Salmon and Veggies Sheet Pan Meal with Hot Honey and Yogurt Sauce
- Salmon Wellington
- Jerk Salmon with Mango Salsa
- Canned Salmon Salad
- Honey Chipotle Salmon BBQ Nachos
- Perfect Poached Salmon
- Teriyaki Sesame Salmon Hibachi with Fried Rice and Vegetables
- Keto Sushi Rolls with Smoked Salmon
- Salmon Salad
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Baked Stuffed Salmon
Equipment
- Oven-safe skillet (cast iron or stainless steel) or baking dish
- Sharp knife paring knife works great
- mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
- instant read thermometer optional but recommended
Ingredients
For the Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets approximately 4-6 ounces each
- 4 tablespoons butter cut into 1-tablespoon pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon seasoning blend of choice we used blackened redfish magic
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Filling
- 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 cups fresh spinach packed
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place 4 tablespoons butter (cut into 1-tablespoon pieces) in an oven-proof skillet or baking dish. Preheat broiler.
- Cut slits or pockets about 3/4 of the way through the sides of the 4 salmon fillets (approximately 4-6 ounces each), making sure you don’t cut all the way through.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 8-ounce package softened cream cheese (let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds at 50% power), 2 cups packed fresh spinach, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine very well.
- Stuff the filling into the 4 salmon pockets, packing in as much filling as you can. Brush the top of each stuffed salmon fillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil (dividing among fillets) and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon seasoning blend (dividing among fillets).
- Transfer 4 salmon fillets to prepared baking dish with 4 tablespoons butter pats. Place on a rack about 8-10 inches from the top heating element and broil for 6-9 minutes (6 for medium rare, 9 for well done) or until browned and cooked through.
- Set aside and rest for 3-4 minutes before serving. Divide 4 salmon fillets onto serving plates and spoon melted butter from pan over top, and enjoy!
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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