Elegant Lemon-Dill Stuffed Salmon

Craving succulent stuffed salmon? This lemon-dill version is surprisingly easy! Flaky fish, bright flavors - a posh dinner without the fuss. Get the recipe!

June 8, 2025
By Laura Tide.

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Alright, mate, let's dive straight in, shall we?

Recipe Introduction: Stuffed Salmon Sensations

Ever get a craving for something a bit posh, but don't fancy the faff? honestly, that's where this stuffed salmon recipe comes in.

It's like a proper gourmet dinner, but without spending hours slaving away in the kitchen. and the secret? this isn't just any stuffed salmon; we're talking about elegant lemon-dill stuffed salmon .

A Bite of History, a Dash of Flavour

Stuffed salmon dishes have been around for ages, a bit of a classic for special occasions in various cultures, right? this particular take is a bit lighter, fresher – think mediterranean vibes meets british kitchen know-how.

It's a medium-difficulty dish, clocking in at about an hour, and serves four hungry souls.

Why This Stuffed Salmon is a Winner

The biggest win? salmon is packed with omega-3s, those brain-boosting goodies. this recipe's perfect for impressing your mates at a dinner party or just treating yourself on a friday night.

It just feels special, you know? we're talking restaurant-quality grub at home.

Elegant Lemon-Dill Stuffed Salmon Recipe Card

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Preparation time:35 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 (6-ounce/170g) salmon fillets, skin on or off, pin bones removed
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (60ml) mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (30g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup (15g) finely chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon (7g) lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) chopped shallot
• 1/4 cup (30g) panko breadcrumbs
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges
• Fresh dill sprigs

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, fresh dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, shallot, panko breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined and smooth. Chill for at least 15 minutes.
• Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. If using skin-on salmon, score the skin a few times to prevent curling during cooking.
• Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a horizontal slit into each salmon fillet, creating a pocket for the stuffing. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
• Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the pocket of each salmon fillet, dividing it evenly. Gently press the edges of the pocket together to seal.
• Brush the stuffed salmon fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C/Gas Mark 5). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place the stuffed salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
• Garnish with lemon wedges and fresh dill sprigs. Serve immediately.

Crafting the Perfect Filling

Now, let's talk filling. we're starting with the basics – softened cream cheese and mayo , because who doesn’t love a bit of creamy goodness? then we're adding some parmesan for that salty, nutty flavour, a good handful of fresh dill , and of course, the zest and juice of a lemon.

A little shallot adds a subtle kick, and panko breadcrumbs give it some texture. you could even add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper for a sneaky bit of heat.

Honestly, the smell alone is enough to make your mouth water. You know when you just know something's going to be good? Yeah, it's like that.

Stuffing Like a Pro

This bit needs a little bit of finesse, but don't fret! just take a sharp knife and carefully cut a pocket into each fillet, being careful not to go all the way through.

Then, spoon in that delicious filling. don't overstuff it, mind you. we don’t want it oozing out everywhere like a kid with a runny nose.

Brush with a touch of olive oil and season simply with salt and pepper.

Baking to Golden Perfection

Pop those bad boys into a preheated oven at 375° F ( 190° C/Gas Mark 5) for about 20- 25 minutes. You want the salmon to be cooked through and flaking easily.

Once the salmon is cooked, garnish with lemon wedges and fresh dill sprigs for a touch of elegance. Now, time to tuck in! You earned it!

Alright, let's dive into making some proper stuffed salmon . Sounds posh, right? But honestly, it's dead easy. We'll make sure it's a winner.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Sorted!

So, you want to make some amazing stuffed salmon ? Here's what you'll need. Nothing too fancy, promise!

Main Ingredients

Okay, let's break it down for this epic meal.

• Salmon Fillets: 4 , about 6 ounces (170g) each. Fresh is best, innit? Good quality salmon should look vibrant. No dodgy smells, yeah?
• Cream Cheese: 4 ounces (115g) , softened. Honestly, nobody wants lumpy stuffing.
• Mayo: 1/4 cup (60ml) . Full fat is best for flavour.
• Parmesan Cheese: 1/4 cup (30g) , grated. Pre-grated is fine, but freshly grated tastes better.
• Fresh Dill: 1/4 cup (15g) , finely chopped. Smells amazing, doesn't it?
• Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml) , freshly squeezed. Bottled stuff is just not the same.
• Lemon Zest: 1 tablespoon (7g) . That lovely zing!
• Chopped Shallot: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Adds a bit of a kick.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: 1/4 cup (30g) . They get nice and crispy.
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . The good stuff, if you have it.
• Cayenne Pepper: A tiny pinch, optional, for a bit of heat.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste, obviously.

Seasoning Notes

Right, about flavour. you can easily adapt this. i sometimes make a cajun crab stuffed salmon which uses cajun spice, and other times i may make honey lemon glazed crab stuffed salmon which uses lemon and honey.

So flexible!

Essential spices are definitely salt, pepper, and that pinch of cayenne if you are feeling brave. Dill is essential . It's just right for this recipe.

Flavor enhancers? A tiny dash of Worcestershire sauce in the stuffing adds a nice umami thing. Try fresh garlic if you don't have shallots, but it isn't the same.

Equipment Needed

Honestly, nothing too hardcore.

• Mixing Bowl: For the stuffing. Any bowl will do.
• Citrus Zester: For that lemon zest. A microplane is great.
• Citrus Juicer: For the lemon juice. Squeezing by hand works, but this is easier.
• Baking Sheet: To bake the salmon on.
• Parchment Paper or Foil: So the salmon doesn’t stick.
• Small Knife: To make a pocket in the salmon.
• Instant-Read Thermometer: Just to be sure it’s cooked. (145° F ( 63° C) )

Don't have a zester or juicer? a grater and your hands will do just fine. no thermometer? poke the thickest part with a fork, and if it flakes easy and is no longer translucent, it's likely cooked.

We can do it, yeah? we will make the best baked stuffed salmon ever!

Right then, let's get started on this stuffed salmon lark! you know, sometimes you just fancy something a bit more fancy, but without all the faff, yeah? well, elegant lemon-dill stuffed salmon is where it's at.

It's a bit of posh nosh, proper tasty.

Prep Like a Pro

First things first, mise en place is your best mate here. soften your 4 ounces of cream cheese – nobody wants lumpy stuffing, right? chop your dill (1/4 cup), zest and juice one lemon (2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon zest), and finely dice a shallot (2 tablespoons).

Grate your parmesan cheese (1/4 cup). get all 4 salmon fillets out. time-saving tip: do this while the oven's warming up.

Safety reminder : Always give your hands a good scrub after dealing with raw fish, yeah?

Let's Get Stuffing: Step-by-Step

1. Mix it all up: In a bowl, bung together your softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup mayo, Parmesan, dill, lemon juice and zest, shallot, 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, cayenne (pinch), salt and pepper.
2. Chill Out: Stick that stuffing in the fridge for 15 minutes. This helps it firm up and stops it from escaping later.
3. Salmon Prep: Pat those salmon fillets (6-ounce/170g) dry, then score the skin if it's skin-on. Scoring's like a little massage for the fish; it stops it curling up.
4. Make a Pocket: Carefully slice a pocket into each fillet, being careful not to go all the way through. Think of it like making a little handbag for flavour.
5. Get Stuffed: Spoon the chilled mixture into each pocket, be generous but don't overdo it! You don't want a cream cheese explosion in the oven.
6. Season Up: Brush the salmon with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
7. Bake Time: Pop them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and bake for 20- 25 minutes at 375° F ( 190° C) .
8. Serve: Check the internal temperature: 145° F ( 63° C) is your target.

Pro Tips, innit?

• Don't Overstuff : Honestly, less is more here. Overstuffing just leads to a mess.
• Check for Doneness : That instant-read thermometer is your best mate. Don't guess!
• Honey Lemon Glazed Crab Stuffed Salmon , Cajun Crab Stuffed Salmon ... get creative with your stuffing variations. You could easily adapt this to Crab Shrimp Stuffed Salmon with some cooked crabmeat and prawns added in!

Honestly, this stuffed salmon is a proper crowd-pleaser. you can easily adapt it with spinach recipes for a salmon spinach twist, or go for a blackened salmon vibe by using some cajun seasoning on the fillets before stuffing.

It's perfect for a gourmet dinner that's not too challenging, and it ticks the boxes for fish recipes healthy , baked salmon recipes , and just a lovely fish dinner .

Honestly, give it a go. it's the sort of thing even delia smith would approve of.

Right then, let's get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we? we've got our elegant lemon-dill stuffed salmon recipe sorted. now for those crucial recipe notes that can make or break a dish.

Honestly, it's these little details that elevate a recipe from "meh" to "oh my gosh, where did you get this?!"

Recipe Notes: Making Stuffed Salmon Sing

It's all about the little things, innit? getting the perfect stuffed salmon isn't just about following the steps. it's about adding your own flair and knowing how to handle those little kitchen curveballs.

Let's have a peek.

Serving Up Some Style

Right, presentation matters. you've slaved away on this stuffed salmon , so let's make it look the part. plating-wise, think simple elegance.

A bed of vibrant greens, maybe a swirl of balsamic glaze – keep it classy but not overly fussy. lemon wedges and dill sprigs are your best mates here.

As for what to serve alongside? roasted asparagus with a squeeze of lemon is a winner. it’s so tasty. a light quinoa salad works a treat too.

For drinks, a crisp sauvignon blanc will cut through the richness of the salmon beautifully. think gourmet dinner without the gourmet fuss, yeah?

Storing Your Stuffed Treasure

So, you've got leftovers? lucky you! pop that stuffed salmon into an airtight container and it'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Freezing isn't really recommended with this one, as the texture can go a bit funny, if you still want to freeze it, keep in mind that it has to be consumed in a week.

Reheating? Best done in the oven at a low temperature (around 275° F/ 135° C) to avoid drying it out. A touch of olive oil on top helps.

Variations: Spice It Up!

Fancy a bit of a twist? how about a salmon spinach and artichoke stuffed salmon ? swap the dill for chopped spinach and artichoke hearts.

Or, for those who like a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the stuffing – instant cajun crab stuffed salmon vibes!

For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based cream cheese alternative and ditch the parmesan. there is also shrimp stuffed versions that you may be interested in.

There are many seafood network recipes like crab shrimp stuffed salmon or crab stuffed snapper .

Nutrition Nuggets

Let’s be real, we all like to know we're doing our bodies a favour, right? salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids – good for the heart and brain.

The lemon and dill add a boost of vitamin c and antioxidants. it's a fish recipes healthy option, that's for sure.

Basically, you're getting a delicious fish dinner that's also good for you. win-win! think of this as a baked salmon recipes option that brings the healthy fish benefits to the plate.

You also have options like blackened salmon or smoked stuffed salmon if you are looking for salmon dishes that are very different but worth to try.

So there you have it. my notes on making your stuffed salmon experience top-notch. now go get cooking and enjoy! don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.

After all, cooking should be fun, shouldn't it? you've got this!