I absolutely love this Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe because it’s a perfectly balanced dish that feels both indulgent and healthy at the same time. The creamy avocado combined with tangy feta brings a fresh, vibrant twist to baked salmon, which makes it stand out in my dinner rotation. Whenever I’m in the mood for something quick yet impressive, this recipe is my go-to.
You’ll find that the simplicity of the ingredients means minimal prep but maximum flavor – making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual weekend meals alike. Every time I serve this, family and friends rave, and I’m happy knowing it’s packed with nutritious goodness without sacrificing taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Balanced Flavors: The creamy avocado and tangy feta perfectly complement the tender salmon fillets.
- Quick & Easy Prep: Ready in just about 25 minutes, it’s a hassle-free way to eat well any night.
- Nutritious & Wholesome: Packed with omega-3s and fresh herbs for a healthy meal you feel good about.
- Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: Great for casual dinners, meal prep, or even entertaining guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe is how simple and fresh the ingredients are, yet how they come together to create a stunning meal. When shopping, look for ripe avocados and fresh herbs to enhance the bright flavors.
- Salmon Fillets: I prefer skinless for easy eating and to fully enjoy the avocado feta topping right on the fish.
- Olive Oil: Use extra virgin for the richest flavor in your marinade.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: Freshly squeezed and zested lemons make all the difference—grab organic if you can.
- Fresh Dill: Adds a lovely herbaceous note that brightens the dish.
- Paprika: A little smoky warmth to season the salmon.
- Avocado: Choose ripe but firm to ensure the topping holds its shape.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled; this tangy cheese elevates the creamy avocado with a salty punch.
- Fresh Chives: Mild onion flavor that makes the topping extra special.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning both the salmon and the avocado topping.
Variations
I love how versatile this Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe is, and I’ve enjoyed trying a few variations depending on the season or mood. Feel free to play around with herbs or add your favorite spices to make it your own.
- Herb Swap: I once swapped dill for fresh basil and it brought a sweet, aromatic twist that my family loved.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or swap paprika with smoked chipotle powder for a smoky heat.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the feta and try crumbled toasted nuts or seeds for crunch and texture without the dairy.
- Extra Veggies: Toss in some cherry tomatoes or thinly sliced red onion into the avocado topping for a bright pop.
How to Make Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready and Prep the Baking Dish
The first thing I do is preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and lightly spray my baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. This ensures the salmon doesn’t stick and it makes cleanup a breeze. A hot oven is key because it helps cook the salmon evenly and keeps it juicy inside.
Step 2: Whip Up the Avocado-Feta Topping
While the oven is heating, you’ll want to make that dreamy avocado-feta topping. In a small bowl, combine diced avocado, crumbled feta, fresh dill, and chives. Then squeeze fresh lemon juice right over the mix—this keeps the avocado from browning and adds a wonderful zing. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, then give it a gentle toss. Pop this in the fridge to chill while you get the salmon ready.
Step 3: Prepare and Season the Salmon Fillets
Pat your salmon fillets dry with paper towels—this little trick helps the seasonings stick and lets the fish bake perfectly. Place the fillets in the prepared baking dish. Then, in a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped dill. Brush this flavorful mixture generously on each fillet. Finally, sprinkle salt, black pepper, and paprika over the top. This simple marinade really elevates the salmon’s natural flavor.
Step 4: Bake Until Tender and Flaky
Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. How do you know when it’s done? The salmon should turn opaque and easily flake apart with a fork. I always check a little early to avoid overcooking since salmon can dry out quickly. When it flakes beautifully but still feels tender, it’s ready!
Step 5: Serve with That Irresistible Avocado & Feta Topping
Once the salmon is done, remove it from the oven and immediately spoon a generous amount of that creamy avocado-feta topping on each fillet. The contrast of warm, flaky salmon with the cool, rich topping is what makes this dish so heavenly. Serve right away and watch everyone’s face light up!
Pro Tips for Making Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe
- Choose Fresh, High-Quality Salmon: I’ve found wild-caught salmon offers more flavor and a better texture for baking.
- Don’t Skip Drying the Fish: Patting the salmon dry ensures the marinade sticks well and the fish roasts instead of steams.
- Make the Topping Just Before Serving: Avocado browns fast, so mix and chill it right before baking your salmon.
- Watch Your Bake Time Closely: Overcooking salmon is easy to do; start checking around 10 minutes to keep it perfectly moist.
How to Serve Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle some extra fresh dill and a few lemon zest shavings on top just before serving—they add color and brighten the flavors. Sometimes a drizzle of good olive oil or a few black pepper cracks on top finishes it off perfectly.
Side Dishes
My family enjoys pairing this salmon with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, or roasted baby potatoes for a hearty meal. Steamed asparagus or garlic green beans also complement the fresh, summery flavors of the avocado and feta topping beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this on a bed of fluffy quinoa or wild rice, garnished with edible flowers and microgreens to impress guests. Plating each salmon fillet with a lemon wedge and a neat mound of topping on the side makes it look restaurant-worthy without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store the salmon in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually keep the avocado-feta topping separate in a small bowl to prevent it from turning mushy. It keeps well for up to two days.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing the avocado topping as the texture changes unfavorably, but you can freeze cooked salmon fillets for up to 3 months. Just thaw them gently in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat the salmon, I pop it in a low oven (around 275°F / 135°C) for 10-15 minutes wrapped loosely in foil to keep it moist. Then, I spoon fresh avocado-feta topping over the warm fish just before eating to keep that creamy contrast fresh.
FAQs
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Can I use salmon with skin on for this Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe?
Absolutely! If you prefer salmon with the skin on, just place the fillets skin-side down in the baking dish. The skin will crisp up nicely. You can still spoon the avocado-feta topping over the cooked fish; just be sure to remove the skin before eating if you don’t want to include it.
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Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe is naturally gluten-free, making it great for anyone monitoring their gluten intake. Just double-check that your feta and any additional seasonings are labeled gluten-free to be safe.
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Can I prepare the avocado-feta topping in advance?
While you can prep the ingredients ahead of time, I recommend mixing the avocado with lemon juice and seasoning just before serving to prevent browning. If you mix it earlier, keep it tightly covered with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface to minimize discoloration.
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What if I don’t like feta?
You can swap out feta for goat cheese or even ricotta for a milder yet creamy flavor. For a dairy-free alternative, try toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds to add texture and a bit of richness.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it’s approachable, satisfying, and always gets compliments. I love sharing this one with friends who say healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. If you’re looking for a fresh, flavorful dish that’s just as good on a weeknight as it is for a special occasion, I can’t recommend this enough. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy salmon.
Print
Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A fresh and flavorful Baked Salmon recipe topped with a creamy avocado and tangy feta mixture, enhanced by herbs and lemon, perfect for a healthy and elegant meal.
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (without skin)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
For the avocado-feta topping:
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh chives, sliced
- 1/2 of a lemon, juiced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Turn your oven on to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the avocado-feta topping. In a small bowl, combine diced avocado, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh dill, and sliced chives. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the mixture and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix gently and cover; refrigerate while preparing the salmon to let the flavors meld.
- Prepare the salmon. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place them into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped dill. Brush this mixture evenly over each salmon fillet. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and paprika over the fillets according to your taste preferences.
- Bake the salmon. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Avoid overcooking to keep the salmon moist and tender.
- Serve. Remove from the oven and immediately spoon the chilled avocado-feta topping over each cooked salmon fillet. Serve promptly for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the salmon; 10-12 minutes at 400°F is enough for tender, flaky fillets.
- Use ripe avocado for a creamy texture that pairs well with the feta.
- Fresh herbs like dill and chives brighten the dish and complement the salmon’s flavor.
- You can substitute feta with goat cheese for a different tangy profile if desired.
- Serve with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet with topping (about 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
