Description
A flavorful Mediterranean-inspired baked salmon recipe stuffed with a savory mixture of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and feta cheese. This dish offers a healthy, elegant main course that is easy to prepare and perfect for a nutritious dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Filling
- 1 1-pound sockeye salmon fillet, cut into 4 (1/4-lb) fillets
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbles
- Sea salt, to taste
- Avocado oil or cooking oil of choice, for brushing
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Filling: Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Heat them in a small saucepan over medium heat until sizzling. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and stir in feta cheese and sea salt. If desired, add fresh basil and Italian seasoning for extra flavor. Set aside.
- Prepare Salmon: Place salmon fillets on a cutting board and carefully slice horizontally through the middle, leaving ¼ to ½ inch attached to create a pocket for stuffing.
- Season and Stuff: Brush the salmon fillets with avocado oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Stuff each salmon pocket generously with the prepared filling mixture.
- Bake Fish: Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes such as roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Use parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- If fresh basil is used, chop it finely before mixing into the filling to distribute flavor evenly.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be substituted with roasted red peppers for a different flavor profile.
- Avocado oil is recommended for brushing due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, but olive oil can be used as a substitute.
- Ensure not to cut the salmon fillet all the way through to keep the stuffing contained during baking.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on salmon thickness; cook until the internal temperature reaches 145°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
