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Crab stuffed salmon is a quick and easy to make salmon recipe. Baked salmon fillets stuffed with imitation crab meat and ricotta cheese in a delicious garlic butter sauce.
Love stuffed salmon recipes? Check out my Spinach stuffed salmon. Another quick dinner recipe.
Stuffed Salmon Recipe
There are so many ways to enjoy salmon. You can bake, fry or pan sear this lovely fish. This stuffed salmon recipe is a great way to impress your family. It is a fancy dinner that is surprisingly easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Salmon fillets are loaded with an incredible ricotta cheese, scallions, garlic and kani (imitation crab meat). This stuffed salmon is seriously better than anything you can find in a seafood restaurant. I included baked and pan-fried methods.
how to make stuffed salmon
If youโve never tried stuffed salmon, you are missing out. Donโt be intimidated by the fact that it is a delicate fish and can fall apart while cooking. It wonโt! This recipe is easy and quicker than my Asparagus stuffed chicken. The dinner will be on the table in 25 minutes. Personally I prefer to bake stuffed salmon fillets because it is the easiest way. No flipping required! However, I also provided the stove method. Choose the one you are confident with!
- Start with cutting pockets. Place the knife right in the centre of salmon fillet and make a slit, about ยพ of the way through. Repeat with the remaining fillets.
- Divide the filling between 4 fillets equally. Stuff the salmon fillets.
Ingredients for crab stuffed salmon
- Salmon: Both salmon and trout will work well for this recipe.
- Lemon juice: Adjust the amount to your liking.
- Butter and oil
- Ricotta cheese: If you canโt find ricotta cheese, substitute it with regular cream cheese.
- Crab sticks: Any brand will work well. If you have fresh crab meat, use it.
- Garlic: Be sure to mince the garlic for stove cooking method.
- Scallions
- Salt and pepper
How to cook stuffed salmon
Even though, the word โstuffedโ sounds intimidating, cooking crab stuffed salmon is easier than you might think.
- Combine all the ingredients for the filling (crab meat, scallions, ricotta, garlic, salt and pepper).
- Stuff the salmon pockets with the mixture.
- Bake 350 F (175 C) for 15 minutes or pan fry.
How to bake salmon:
Add the garlic, lemon juice and melted butter to the oven safe skillet. Place the stuffed salmon fillets, the filling side up. Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through.
How to cook on the stove:
Start with cooking salmon. Heat butter in a skillet. Once it is hot, add the salmon, the skin side down. Cook for 7 minutes, covered. Uncover, carefully flip the fillets and cook further 7 minutes over medium heat. Transfer to a plate. Make the garlic butter in the same skillet and pour over the cooked salmon.
If you are still not confident with cooking on the stove, you can use toothpicks to keep the pockets shut. But I found it unnecessary.
Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to let salmon thaw completely before cooking.
Transfer salmon from the freezer to the refrigerator to defrost overnight. Alternatively keep it on the kitchen countertop for 4-5 hours.
Pat fillets dry using a kitchen paper towel to remove excess moisture before cooking.
How to store crab stuffed salmon
Transfer the leftover salmon in a plastic container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for 3-4 months.
This crab stuffed salmon will turn a regular dinner into something really special! You can make it ahead of time and impress your family or guests.
More baked salmon recipes
Baked salmon and asparagus in foil
Spicy honey garlic salmon in foil
Baked salmon with lemon butter cream sauce
Crab Stuffed Salmon Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Salmon:
- Salmon fillets, skinless-4
- Lemon juice-3 tablespoons
- Black pepper and salt-as needed
- Olive oil- 2 tablespoons
Crab Filling:
- Ricotta cheese, at room temperature-4 oz (100 g)
- Crab sticks, sliced into medium pieces-8 sticks, plus 2 extra sticks for the topping ( 7 oz/200 g)
- Garlic, minced-1 teaspoon
- Scallions, chopped-2 tablespoons
- Salt and pepper-to taste
Garlic butter (optional):
- Unsalted butter, melted-1 tablespoon
- Garlic, chopped-4
- Lemon juice- 1 tablespoon
Instructions
- Place salmon fillets on a large plate. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice and olive oil. Using a sharp knife, make a pocket or slit about 3/4 of the way through. Make sure not to cut all the way.
- In a medium bowl combine the crab sticks, ricotta cheese, garlic, salt and black pepper.
- Fill salmon pockets with the crab filling. Keep aside.
Oven Baked Salmon:
- Preheat your oven toย 350 F (175 C).ย
- In a large oven-safe skillet combine the melted butter and chopped garlic. Add the salmon (the filling side up) and top with the remaining crab sticks.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
How to cookย on the Stove:
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the salmon ( skin side down) and cook until golden, about 7 minutes, covered with the lid.ย Flip and cook further for 7 minutes on the other side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, cook the garlic ( be sure to mince garlic for cooking on the stove) until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add in the lemon juice. Remove from the heat and pour over the salmon.ย
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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