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You are here: Home / Dinner / Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in Garlic Butter

By Karina 39 Comments Filed Under: Dinner

Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in Garlic Butter

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Crispy, Pan Seared Stuffed Salmon filled with a Creamy Spinach Dip in garlic butter is a new delicious way to enjoy salmon!

Packed with an incredible cream cheese, spinach, parmesan and garlic mixture, this Stuffed Salmon beats anything found in a restaurant. Each fillet is loaded with so much flavour! Our new low carb salmon recipe includes pan fried AND oven baked methods!

Four Salmon fillets stuffed with creamed spinach in a garlic butter sauce in a silver frying pan served with lemon wedges on a white table. Your new favourite salmon recipe includes pan fried AND oven baked methods! | cafedelites.com

Salmon Recipe

If you have never tried stuffed salmon, this is your time to shine! Easy to make, ready in minutes and absolutely incredible, this stuffed salmon ticks all the different-ways-to-eat-salmon boxes!

  • Cream cheese, spinach, garlic and parmesan stuffed inside salmon fillets ✔
  • Pan fried until crispy OR oven baked ✔
  • Delicious flavour ✔
  • Served in garlic butter with a hint of lemon juice for added flavour ✔

A close up of Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in garlic butter. Filled with cream cheese, spinach, parmesan cheese and garlic. Recipe includes pan fried AND oven baked methods! | cafedelites.com

How To Make Stuffed Salmon

Inspired by my Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken recipe, this stuffed salmon is just as good AND just as easy to make! You are probably wondering if the salmon will fall apart while pan frying or flipping. I’m happy to say it doesn’t! BUT if this is something you are worried about or you’re not completely confident cooking them over the stove, I’ve included an oven baked method in the recipe for you so you can relax while your salmon is cooking away.

  1. When cutting your pockets, make sure you cut them right in the centre of each fillet so both top and bottom sections are exactly the same thickness.
  2. Stuff with 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture to minimise stuffing from oozing out everywhere while cooking.
  3. If pan frying, you may need to use the end of a wooden spoon or spatula to help push the salmon onto your spatula.
  4. Use a wooden spoon to support the tops of the salmon while flipping.
  5. Once flipped, you can cover the pan with a lid to ensure it cooks through evenly for a couple of minutes.

How to make creamy spinach stuffed salmon in a collage showing how to slice a pocket into the side of a salmon and stuff it with creamed spinach. | cafedelites.com

Use up any remaining cream cheese mixture by turning it into a creamy sauce (included in the Notes section of the recipe). Alternatively, you can save the reserved mixture to serve as a dip later. Simply refrigerate it up to 4 days OR freeze up to 3 months in a plastic container.

HOW TO THAW COOKED SALMON FILLETS

  • Transfer salmon fillets from the freezer to the refrigerator to defrost overnight.
  • Remember to pat fillets dry with a paper towel before cooking to remove excess moisture.

Low Carb/Keto Stuffed Salmon

Crispy on the outside while creamy and tender on the inside, this recipe happens to be low carb and Keto friendly!

Low Carb Sides

Steamed Veg
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli & Green Beans
Asparagus
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower rice
Zucchini noodles

A close up image of a fillet of creamed spinach stuffed salmon in a silver pan with lemon slices | cafedelites.com

Regular sides to serve with Stuffed Salmon

  • Mashed potatoes
  • Smashed potatoes
  • Rice
  • Pasta

Best Wines

This Stuffed Salmon recipe is quite rich and decadent. The best wines for this recipe:

  • Chardonnay
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Pinot Gris
  • A crisp Rose

A fork slices through the side of a stuffed salmon fillet on a white plate. Filled with cream cheese, spinach, parmesan cheese and garlic. | cafedelites.com

Watch how we make Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in Garlic Butter right here!

Need more Salmon recipes? Try these!

Tuscan Salmon | Easy Honey Garlic Salmon | Crispy Parmesan Salmon

Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in garlic butter is a new delicious way to enjoy salmon! Filled with cream cheese, spinach, parmesan cheese and garlic, this salmon beats than anything found in a restaurant. Your new favourite salmon recipe includes pan fried AND oven baked methods! | cafedelites.com

Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon

Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in garlic butter is a new delicious way to enjoy salmon! Filled with cream cheese, spinach, parmesan cheese and garlic, this salmon beats anything found in a restaurant. A low carb salmon recipe that includes pan fried AND oven baked methods!
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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

Salmon:

  • 4 skinless salmon fillets
  • salt and pepper to season
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Filling:

  • 4 oz (120 g) cream cheese at room temp
  • 4 oz (120 g) frozen spinach thawed
  • 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garlic Butter:

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  • Place each salmon fillet on a flat surface. Season both sides with salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil and lemon juice. Cut a slit or pocket about 3/4 quarter of the way through, being careful not to cut all the way.
  • Squeeze excess liquid out of the spinach discard liquid. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the spinach, cream cheese, parmesan cheese and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Fill salmon 'pockets' with 1-2 tablespoons of the spinach dip, spreading evenly with the back of the spoon.

For Stove Top:

  • Heat butter and remaining oil in a skillet (or non stick pan) over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and fry until golden (about 6 to 7 minutes). Carefully flip and allow to cook on the other side until golden and cooked through (another 6-7 minutes, depending on the size of your fillets).
  • Optional: cover with a lid and continue cooking for a further 2-3 minutes, if necessary, until cooked through. 
  • Transfer to a warm plate to make garlic butter.
  • Garlic Butter: Melt the butter in the remaining oil/juices in the pan leftover from the salmon. Add the garlic and lemon juice; saute until garlic is fragrant (about 30 seconds). Remove and serve with the salmon.

For Oven Baked Salmon:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place stuffed salmon fillets in a shallow lightly greased baking pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until salmon is cooked through, opaque in centre and flakes easily with fork. 
  • Pour pan juices out into a skillet or frying pan. Add butter, garlic and lemon juice; saute until garlic is fragrant (about 30 seconds). Remove and serve with the salmon.

Notes

For remaining cream cheese mixture!
If you have too much cream cheese, you can create a creamy sauce with it for serving:
  1. Mix remaining cream cheese mixture with 1/4 cup fish or chicken stock and 1/4 cup heavy cream (or thickened cream) in saucepan.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring frequently, until combined and warmed through.
If you're wanting to save the reserved dip for later instead of using it in a cream sauce, simply refrigerate it up to 4 days OR freeze up to 3 months in a plastic container.

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 1044mg | Vitamin A: 3590IU | Vitamin C: 7.8mg | Calcium: 187mg | Iron: 2.7mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. D. Long says

    July 14, 2022 at 4:22 am

    5 stars
    Prepared this for dinner last night. We prefer wild caught sockeye salmon & I had to remove the skin myself. Since I don’t have a proper knife, the fillet looked a bit dismal when I finished. Wild caught sockeye salmon also tends to be less thick than other salmon so I could not make a “pocket” I decided to fill the entire fillet right down the middle (the ugly side where I removed the skin) and rolled it into itself, flattening it out a bit. The weight I used was about 1-1/2 lbs. and I cooked it in the oven. It looked beautiful and tasted delicious. I simply cut the entire piece into 4 servings. Served this with a lovely cold tortellini asparagus salad, roasted Brussel sprouts, riced cauliflower and garlic bread. My family prefers a spicier remoulade sauce, so I made that too. Lovely summer meal.

    Reply
  2. Danielle says

    December 05, 2020 at 11:23 am

    5 stars
    This dish was the bomb! My husband fell in love with me all over again. My tips are I added garlic paste and minced garlic. I didn’t overdo it, but I wanted a garlic forward taste. And I cooked the salmon with the lid on, on both sides and it cooked faster and no unevenness

    Reply
  3. Paulina says

    September 23, 2020 at 1:04 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is absolutely perfect! Can I prep this in the morning and refrigerate and cook for dinner?

    Reply
  4. sherrie says

    September 14, 2020 at 9:50 am

    5 stars
    Just tried your creamy spinach stuffed salmon this evening. It turned out beautiful and tasted fantastic! My family loved it. Thank you

    Reply
  5. Lawanda says

    August 14, 2020 at 9:21 am

    ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!! I love this recipe very easy… I just added more lemon to my meal.. and I seared my salmon on top of the stove then baked it😊!

    Reply
  6. Widelene says

    June 24, 2020 at 10:15 am

    5 stars
    Sooooooo good!!!!! Omg! Mouth-watering. Even my picky 2 year old tore it up. Can’t wait to make it again. Even shared the recipe with some friends.

    Reply
  7. Juanita says

    May 28, 2020 at 11:34 am

    5 stars
    All I can say is WOW!! Absolutely delicious and prepared just the way your recipe reads!

    Reply
  8. Greg says

    April 19, 2020 at 8:34 am

    5 stars
    Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe! I made the oven baked version with one minor change. I zested the lemon and added that to the filling – wow!

    Reply
  9. Christiane Lariviere says

    January 21, 2020 at 9:01 am

    5 stars
    wow ! very very good 🙂 my favorite 🙂 Thanks !

    Reply
  10. Jan says

    December 21, 2019 at 3:33 am

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe! Thank you, Karina, for sharing. Everyone loved it!

    Reply
  11. Madelaine says

    December 05, 2019 at 9:17 am

    5 stars
    One of the best ways to make salmon! I make it twice a month now.

    Reply
  12. James Coolbaugh says

    July 28, 2019 at 10:20 am

    5 stars
    Loved the recipe. I used 1/2 bag of fresh spinach instead of frozen for the stuffing, and wilted the rest in the garlic butter sauce. Made a good finish to top the salmon.

    Reply
  13. Lala says

    June 15, 2019 at 7:49 am

    5 stars
    Tried this recipe today and it was amazing!

    Reply
  14. Greg says

    February 15, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely amazing recipe. Cooked it with rice ans asparagus. One of the best recipes i have made from fb. Thank you

    Reply
  15. Karina says

    November 20, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    Yes, that sounds great! The cheese can be lessened if needed and any low fat dairy is great to substitute for the ingredients if needed. Enjoy! XO

    Reply
  16. Neicy says

    October 01, 2018 at 11:29 am

    Very Delicious!!! Placed in the oven about 10min, then broiled about 10min. Family loved it!

    Reply
  17. Sarah says

    September 18, 2018 at 8:30 pm

    5 stars
    It was wonderful. We loved it .
    Thank you for this easy but fantastic recipe.

    Reply
  18. Tracy says

    September 03, 2018 at 8:26 pm

    5 stars
    OMG!! I am not a fish fan and I LOVED THIS!!!

    Reply
  19. TMT says

    August 28, 2018 at 7:48 pm

    Would this work well with boneless skinless chicken breasts?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      September 14, 2018 at 11:28 pm

      MMM! That sounds delicious! Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  20. Ivory says

    August 25, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    5 stars
    This looks mouthwatering, and it will be on our table Sunday. Thank you

    Reply
  21. Mariana Berrocal says

    August 13, 2018 at 4:54 am

    5 stars
    I just did this today and it is delicious and easy to make. Paired with mashed potatoes and veggies, divine!

    Reply
  22. Claire Moore says

    August 12, 2018 at 8:32 am

    5 stars
    I made this last night and everyone in my family loved it! The said it was the best salmon dish they had ever tasted, restaurant quality! I love your recipes karina. Thank you for sharing???

    Reply
  23. Fully Alive says

    June 18, 2018 at 4:59 am

    5 stars
    This was so easy, quick and delicious. I baked instead of pan frying. I just got fresh wild-caught Salmon and fresh spinach from the Farmers’ Market. I’m gonna cook again tomorrow and try frying. YUM-O!!!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  24. Marti Mccosh says

    June 14, 2018 at 8:38 am

    WHere is the recipe

    Reply
    • Karina says

      June 14, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you for letting me know! I am so sorry that the recipe went missing! My site had a malfunction for a period of time today and we are just getting things up and running. I apologize for the problem and how long it took. Thank you for your patience and following along with me! If you have any other questions or concerns please email me and I would love to help in any way that I can. XOXO Here is the Creamy Spinach Stuffed Salmon in Garlic Butter: https://cafedelites.com/creamy-spinach-stuffed-salmon/.

      Reply
  25. Tracey PASCARELLA says

    June 02, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for 12 people for a Mother’s Day celebration, it was fabulous and not one piece left! I had the fish monger cut the salmon into portion sizes and I slit the middle myself. I briefly pan fried the top for a crust then popped all into the oven in a low sided casserole dish. Awesome presentation and so delicious, this will be my go to when I’m having company.

    Reply
  26. Teresa says

    June 01, 2018 at 1:48 am

    Can you use a low fat cream cheese?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      June 01, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      Yes, of course! Enjoy!!

      Reply
  27. Marguerite says

    May 29, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    Simply delicious…. so easy to make. This recipe can be prepared ahead of time. I fried mine and it turned out perfect. I think I will bake it the next time. My sides were orzo with spinach and a pea salad. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  28. Lori Allred says

    May 11, 2018 at 2:28 am

    Do you think I could use fresh spinach and wilt it?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      May 11, 2018 at 10:04 pm

      Yes, of course! That would work too!

      Reply
  29. Kathi says

    May 07, 2018 at 8:41 am

    Looks delicious. I have a question though, what size fillets did you use to get the nutrition facts?

    Reply
    • Karina says

      May 09, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      For this recipe my filets were about 4-6 oz. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  30. Renee says

    May 02, 2018 at 9:28 am

    This was delicious! My husband loved it and agreed it was company worthy. Easy, too. I made it for a weekday dinner.

    Reply
  31. Sandra says

    May 02, 2018 at 6:45 am

    5 stars
    Hello Karina,

    I just finished this stuffed salmon and it is a superb recipe !! Thank you so much; this will be a staple in my home !!

    Reply
  32. J.X. Luna says

    April 24, 2018 at 10:36 am

    5 stars
    This was amazing!! It’s now my new favorite dinner! Thanks so much for sharing! My girlfriend (also named Karina) did a fantastic job 😀

    Reply
  33. Flip says

    April 23, 2018 at 12:55 am

    5 stars
    OMG!!!! This looks amazing and I cannot wait to try it. Honey and I love salmon and I’m always looking for Keto friendly ways to prepare it. Thank you for this recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Karina says

      April 23, 2018 at 6:35 am

      AWE! Thanks! I hope you enjoy it and love this new recipe. Thanks so much for following along with me!

      Reply

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