Stuffed Salmon with crabmeat cream cheese stuffing

Name: Stuffed Salmon with Crabmeat & Cream Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 24 ounces salmon fillets (four fillets 6 ounces each, skin off); 8 ounces crabmeat drained well (lump, claw or backfin ); 4 ounces cream cheese softened (use regular not whipped); 1 large egg (whipped); 1 tablespoon mayonnaise; ½ cup baby spinach (cooked with excess liquid squeezed out); 1 tablespoon roasted red peppers (diced (or fresh red pepper)); ½ cup mozzarella cheese (shredded (or your favorite cheese)); 1 teaspoon old bay; ¼ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste); ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste); 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs (or whatever type of bread crumb you prefer)

4.62 from 121 votes

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When it comes to stuffed salmon, my salmon stuffed with crabmeat, spinach and cream cheese is an over-the-top delicious and restaurant-style dish you can easily make in your home kitchen. Trust me it takes salmon to a whole new level!

Salmon stuffed with crabmeat and cream cheese on a plate with green beans and baby potatoes

Since discovering Northwest Wild Caught Salmon I’ve been having fun finding different ways to prepare and enjoy this lovely fish. I was lucky enough to pick up some nice sockeye salmon at Sam’s Club.

*You will also find that many grocery stores now carry sustainably caught sockeye salmon.

What do you need to make Crabmeat Stuffed Salmon?

ingredients to make stuffed salmon in bowl on a wooden cutting board

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Stuffed Salmon. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.

Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

*If your salmon has any skin on it, use a sharp knife or paring knife to remove the skin.

What type of salmon can you use for this recipe?

I used Sockeye my salmon recipe and always try to find Pacific Salmon for my recipes.

You can, of course, use any salmon you have available in your markets. Coho (silvers) and King (chinook) are two of my other favorites.

Atlantic salmon is more plentiful and usually less expensive and can also be used. I prefer wild-caught fish to farmed seafood.

*Farmed salmon is much higher in fat, containing slightly more omega-3s, much more omega-6 and three times the amount of saturated fat. It also has 46% more calories — mostly from fat. Conversely, wild salmon is higher in minerals, including potassium, zinc and iron.

Can I use Frozen Salmon for this dish?

You sure can. Fresh salmon is great if you can find it, but if not frozen is the next best thing. Just make sure to let the salmon fully thaw before you stuff it.

*These days, I buy Alaskan Salmon, shipped directly from the supplier in Alaska, and it’s always shipped frozen.

What type of cream cheese should I use for the stuffing?

The first time I made this recipe I used whipped cream cheese. I found that to be a mistake as it did not hold up as well as I thought it should. I made the Stuffed Salmon again using regular cream cheese and also added in shredded mozzarella which gave the dish a better overall appearance and taste.

ingredients to make crabmeat and cheese stuffing in a glass bowl with a blue rubber spatula next to it

In a bowl add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, beaten egg and old bay seasoning. Mix well, but it’s okay if it has some lumps in it.

Then fold in the spinach, roasted red peppers, mozzarella and crabmeat.

Chef Dennis Tip:

Pull the spinach apart or mix it into the cream cheese mixture first. It has a tendency to clump together.

crabmeat and cheese stuffing all mixed together in a glass bowl with a blue rubber spatula

Mix all the ingredients together as gently as possible so you don’t break up the crabmeat too much.

Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to let it firm up. If for some reason the mixture is too loose, add some bread crumbs to help hold it together.

Can I use other cheese in the stuffing?

I added shredded mozzarella because of its binding properties, but cheddar, swiss or your favorite cheese could be used instead of the mozzarella.

2 salmon fillets seasoned with sea salt and black pepper in a glass baking dish

Season the salmon fillets with sea salt and black pepper.

2 salmon fillets topped with crabmeat stuffing with panko bread crumbs on top

Add the crabmeat stuffing on top of the salmon fillet. Sprinkle the top of the stuffing with panko bread crumbs (or any bread crumbs you have on hand).

*You could also sprinkle a little parmesan cheese if you want some added flavor.

Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper on the center rack of a preheated 350 degrees oven for 18 – 20 minutes.

Can I use this topping with other fish?

You sure can. This topping would work well on just about any white flaky fish. Flounder, cod, and halibut would also work well. The only fish I wouldn’t try to stuff would be tuna or swordfish.

overhead view of baked stuffed salmon on a white plate

My creamy stuffed salmon is a great way to turn an ordinary night into a special occasion. It’s also the perfect dish for entertaining as it can be made up ahead of time and cooked before your guests arrive.

You may also try stuffing a whole side of salmon and roasting it for a buffet. It will look spectacular! Serve it with a squeeze of lemon juice, lemon wedges or grated lemon zest and enjoy.

Recipe FAQ’s:

Do you bake salmon covered or uncovered?

Bake salmon, uncovered, 4 to 6 minutes per ½-inch thickness. It’s best to undercook salmon so always check at the minimum time to make sure the salmon isn’t overcooked.

How can I make salmon taste better?

Fresh herbs are the best way to enhance salmon without overpowering it.
A coating of breadcrumbs will add a crunchy texture and flavor.
Using compound butter on salmon will help create a delicious flavor profile.
Marinating salmon will help develop rich flavors.
A glaze (like a balsamic glaze) is another easy way to add flavor to salmon.

More Salmon Recipes You’ll Love!

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4.62 from 121 votes