Description
Mediterranean salmon bake elevates weeknight dinners with zesty herbs and succulent fish. Mediterranean flavors dance through each flaky bite, promising a quick, nourishing meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (2 pounds / 907 grams) salmon filet
- 5 ounces (142 grams) baby spinach
- 6 ounces (170 grams) feta cheese crumbles
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 red onion (finely chopped)
Complementary Ingredients:
- 1 (8.5 ounces / 241 grams) jar sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1/3 cup pesto sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F, positioning the rack in the center for even cooking.
- Arrange salmon filet on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring the skin side is down for optimal heat distribution.
- Brush salmon with avocado oil, creating a light, even coating that will help crisp the exterior.
- Sprinkle sea salt and garlic powder across the surface, focusing on even seasoning.
- Roast salmon for 10 minutes, allowing the fish to develop a golden, slightly caramelized exterior.
- Meanwhile, warm a skillet with avocado oil over medium heat for sautéing aromatics.
- Add chopped onions and cook until translucent and softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Introduce sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach to the skillet, creating a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired mixture.
- Cover and cook until spinach completely wilts and ingredients meld together, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Gently fold in crumbled feta cheese, allowing it to warm and slightly melt into the vegetable mixture.
- Remove salmon from initial baking and generously top with the prepared spinach and feta combination.
- Return to oven and continue baking for 8-10 minutes until salmon reaches 145°F internal temperature.
- Optional: Drizzle with fragrant pesto sauce for an additional layer of flavor.
- Let salmon rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and enhance overall taste.
Notes
- Choose wild-caught salmon for better omega-3 content and sustainable seafood practices.
- Pat salmon dry before seasoning to ensure crispy exterior and even browning.
- Swap feta with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast for vegan version.
- Use fresh spinach leaves for maximum nutrient retention and vibrant green color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg