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    Gastronotherapy » Recipes » Brunch

    Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon

    Modified: Aug 10, 2023 · Published: Nov 26, 2022 · by MaryAnne · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This spinach stuffed salmon pairs tender and flaky salmon with a creamy spinach-cream cheese filling for a hearty and satisfying dish. It's a healthy salmon recipe that's ready in 20 minutes, with instructions for preparing it in the oven, on the stove top, or in your air fryer.

    Plate of stuffed salmon with cream cheese, a fork, and lemon slices.

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    This spinach stuffed salmon recipe is a quick and delicious weeknight dinner that looks elegant & impressive.

    Serve it with roasted vegetables, a side salad, or buttery dinner rolls for a memorable meal.

    For more salmon recipes, try my miso salmon, salmon with gochujang or salmon with mustard dill.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why This Salmon is the Best
    • 🌿 Ingredient Notes
    • 📝 Variations & Substitutions
    • 🔪 How to Make Stuffed Salmon
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 🥦 How to Serve Spinach Stuffed Salmon
    • 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🍽 More Seafood Recipes
    • Spinach Stuffed Salmon Recipe

    ⭐️ Why This Salmon is the Best

    • Tender and flaky salmon is paired with a creamy spinach filling for a hearty and satisfying dish
    • Easy stuffed salmon recipe that's ready in 20 minutes
    • Healthy salmon dish that's high in protein, full of nutrients, and it's Whole30, paleo, low-carb, and keto-friendly
    • Quick and delicious weeknight dinner that looks elegant & impressive
    • Three cooking options are provided (pan-seared, oven-baked, and air fryer)

    🌿 Ingredient Notes

    recipe ingredients arranged on a table.
    • Cream cheese - Be sure to use softened (room temperature) cream cheese to make a smooth and creamy filling.
    • Baby spinach - Rinse and dry your spinach before using. You can also use a 10 ounce package of frozen spinach, but be sure to squeeze the water out completely before using it.
    • Fresh dill - Adds lovely aromatics that pair so well with salmon. If using dried dill, substitute with 1 teaspoon.
    • Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest - I highly recommend using fresh lemon juice for optimal flavor, but bottled lemon juice will work, too.
    • Garlic - Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; you can also substitute ½ teaspoon of garlic powder if necessary
    • Salmon fillets - Purchase a thicker whole fillet of salmon or pre-sliced 4-6 ounce pieces that are of similar size so they cook evenly; you can use skin-on or skinless salmon.

    📝 Variations & Substitutions

    • For baked stuffed salmon: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Transfer stuffed salmon fillets to a lightly greased baking dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes (depending on how large your fillets are), until salmon is cooked through with an opaque center. Salmon thickness varies, but aim for 4 to 6 minutes per half-inch of thickness. You could also use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F. at the thickest part of the fillet.
    • In air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F. Place stuffed salmon fillets in air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, until salmon is cooked through with an opaque center.
    • Cheese. Change up the type of cheese used; feta or Gruyere cheese would both be delicious.
    spinach mixture stuffed into side of salmon fillet.

    🔪 How to Make Stuffed Salmon

    In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, spinach, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.

    spinach filling mixed in a bowl with a spoon.

    Cut a 3-4" long pocket into the side of each salmon fillet, cutting about ¾ of the way but not cutting all the way through to the other side.

    salmon fillet with a pocket cut into the side.

    Using a small spoon, fill each pocket with 2-3 tablespoons of filling. Season the fillets with remaining salt and pepper.

    spinach filling stuffed into side pocket of salmon fillet.

    In a large non-stick frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Use tongs to carefully place the salmon into hot pan, presentation side down. Cook for 1 minute, then lower the heat to medium. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until golden and crispy.

    Use a fish spatula to flip each fillet and cook the other side another 4-5 minutes, until the edges are starting to turn pink.

    four fillets of salmon cooking in large frying pan.
    golden and crispy salmon cooking in frying pan.

    Transfer to a plate and garnish with lemon wedges and more fresh dill. Serve immediately.

    stuffed salmon with spinach arranged on a white platter.

    👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Don't overbake salmon (if baking in oven). Salmon thickness varies, but aim for 4 to 6 minutes per half-inch of thickness. You could also use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F. at the thickest part of the fillet.
    • Cut pockets in the center of fillets. Cut across ¾ of each salmon fillet (not through to the other side or spinach filling will spill out).
    • Storage: Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • How to freeze: After completely cooled, transfer salmon to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in refrigerator overnight.
    • How to reheat: Cover loosely with foil and place salmon in a preheated 300 degree F. oven for 15 minutes, or until heated through. For more reheating methods, read my post on the best way to reheat salmon!
    • Use a fish spatula to easily flip the salmon.
    • Repurpose the leftover spinach filling. Serve any remaining filling as a delicious spinach dip served with bread or crackers.

    🥦 How to Serve Spinach Stuffed Salmon

    When it comes to serving salmon stuffed with spinach, there's no wrong way to do it. Depending on what you're in the mood for, here are some delicious options:

    • Bread. Pair this stuffed salmon recipe with crusty dinner rolls or biscuits.
    • Potatoes. Serve accompanied by red mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or sweet potatoes.
    • Vegetables. Pair with your favorite vegetable side dish, like roasted carrots, broccoli, or roasted Brussels sprouts.
    • Salad. Serve with a delicious and healthy side salad, like fennel salad.
    • Grains. Serve your salmon on a bed of grains, like rice, barley, quinoa, or farro.

    💬 Frequently Asked Questions

    How long do you cook stuffed salmon?

    In a large non-stick frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Use tongs to carefully place the salmon into hot pan, presentation side down. Cook for 1 minute, then lower the heat to medium. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Use a fish spatula to flip each fillet and cook the other side another 4-5 minutes, until the edges are starting to turn pink.

    How do you know when stuffed salmon is done?

    The salmon fillets should still be opaque in the center, and the salmon meat should flake easily with a fork. You could also use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F. at the thickest part of the fillet.

    What is the best temperature to bake salmon?

    A preheated 400 degree F. oven bakes salmon evenly without drying it out.

    Should I cover salmon when baking?

    Salmon does not need to be covered when baked, but it should be covered when reheated in an oven.

    🍽 More Seafood Recipes

    • salmon with creamy mustard dill sauce on a plate with roasted asparagus.
      How to Reheat Salmon (3 easy methods)
    • three fillets of miso salmon on a white platter with roasted broccoli.
      Miso Butter Salmon (3 easy methods)
    • platter of gochujang salmon with roasted broccoli.
      Gochujang Salmon (3 easy methods)
    • salmon with creamy mustard dill sauce on a plate with roasted asparagus.
      Creamy Mustard Dill Salmon

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 15 Healthy Weeknight Recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!

    plate of stuffed salmon with spinach and cream cheese on a platter.

    Spinach Stuffed Salmon Recipe

    Author: MaryAnne
    This spinach stuffed salmon pairs tender and flaky salmon with a creamy spinach filling for a hearty and satisfying dish. It's a healthy salmon dish that's ready in 20 minutes, and you can prepare it in the oven, on the stove top, or in your air fryer.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 364 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 large skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
    • 2 cups baby spinach, finely chopped
    • 1 Tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
    • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
    • 4 salmon fillets (4-6 ounces each)
    • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, spinach, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
    • Cut a 3-4" long pocket into the side of each salmon fillet, cutting about ¾ of the way but not cutting all the way through to the other side.
    • Using a small spoon, fill each pocket with 2-3 tablespoons of filling. Season the fillets with remaining salt and pepper.
    • In a large non-stick frying pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Use tongs to carefully place the salmon into hot pan, presentation side down. Cook for 1 minute, then lower the heat to medium. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Use a fish spatula to flip each fillet and cook the other side another 4-5 minutes, until the edges are starting to turn pink.
    • Transfer to a plate and garnish with lemon wedges and more fresh dill.

    Notes

    • Don't overbake salmon (if baking in oven). Salmon thickness varies, but aim for 4 to 6 minutes per half-inch of thickness. You could also use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F. at the thickest part of the fillet.
    • Cut pockets in the center of fillets. Cut across ¾ of each salmon fillet (not through to the other side or spinach filling will spill out).
    • Storage: Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • How to reheat: Cover loosely with foil and place salmon in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 10 minutes, or until heated through.
    • Use a fish spatula to easily flip the salmon.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 41gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 822mgPotassium: 1013mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1547IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 213mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lauren

      November 30, 2022 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious and easy to make!

      Reply
      • MaryAnne

        November 30, 2022 at 2:54 pm

        So happy you enjoyed it, Lauren!

        Reply
    2. Samara

      October 15, 2023 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious salmon dish! I baked it in the oven and it turned out perfectly. I adore the combination of lemon, garlic, and dill, but the Parmesan cheese really took it to another level. I will be adding this to my dinner rotation!

      Reply
      • MaryAnne

        October 17, 2023 at 2:52 pm

        Thanks, Samara! I also love the added savoriness of Parmesan in this dish!

        Reply
    5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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    Hi! I’m MaryAnne, the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Gastronotherapy, where I bring vibrant, delicious, and thoughtfully crafted mainly vegetarian and vegan (flexitarian) recipes to life. While my focus leans toward wholesome, nourishing dishes, my love for dessert ensures that indulgence always has a place at the table!

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