Just look at your gorgeous creation! W-O-W. This salmon Wellington recipes features a fillet of salmon that’s brushed with a mixture of melted butter, lemon zest, and Dijon, then placed on a bed of garlicky sautéed spinach. The salmon fillets and spinach are then wrapped up in puff pastry sheets like a present, then baked until the pastry is deeply golden, and the fish is moist and tender. The only thing better than the way this puff pastry wrapped salmon looks is how it tastes.
Lightly crispy on the outside. Buttery on the inside. Indulgent but not food-coma inducing. Tangentially healthy without tasting remotely like a sacrifice.
Essentially, salmon Wellington is perfect. I love salmon for entertaining in general, because it feels fancy but is deceptively easy to make. This Baked Salmon in Foil is a staple, but when you really want to knock your guests’ socks off, make salmon Wellington. In addition to the wowza taste and presentation, this salmon Wellington recipe is notable for how straightforward it is to make (just like this Salmon Pasta).
Thanks to puff pastry—one of my go-to ingredients for easy-but-impressive recipes like these Ham and Cheese Pinwheels and this Easy Asparagus Tart—this recipe looks and tastes like you spent hours making it, when it really takes less than 30 minutes to prep. (For a weeknight dinner in less than 15 minutes, try Poached Salmon.)You also can prep salmon Wellington hours in advance, making it a phenomenal option for entertaining.
Get ready to make this restaurant-worthy meal at home, with a glass of wine in hand!
What is Salmon Wellington {a.k.a. Salmon en Croute}
Salmon Wellington can also be called “salmon en croute.” En croute is a French term for anything wrapped in a pastry dough and baked in the oven. Salmon Wellington (and other “Wellington” recipes like beef Wellington) specifically use puff pastry, which has a myriad of flaky layers that puff up in the oven, versus a single layer pastry like pie crust.
How to Make Salmon Wellington
Don’t let the showstopper appearance and taste of salmon Wellington deceive you. This recipe is straightforward and shockingly easy to make!
The Ingredients
Salmon Fillets. Once wrapped in the flaky puff pastry, the salmon stays incredibly moist, and it soaks up all the rich, buttery flavors (the mixture of Dijon, melted butter, and lemon zest we’ll be spreading on top doesn’t hurt either).
Puff Pastry. Frozen puff pastry becomes flaky, golden perfection once it’s baked. It envelops the salmon fillet and traps in the moisture. See how I use this handy ingredient in other recipes here to use up any excess pastry you may have on hand.Egg Yolk + Water. Brushing an egg wash over the top of the puff pastry helps it turn golden brown.Butter + Dijon Mustard. These two flavors are delicious combined and brushed over the top of the salmon fillets. They provide a subtle richness and tiny bit of zing. Plus, the moisture sneaks into the salmon as it cooks and keeps it tender.Lemon Zest. For brightness, freshness, and acidity.Seasonings. A combination of salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme season the salmon fabulously.Spinach + Parmesan Cheese. Instead of the sautéed mushroom mixture used for beef Wellington (which would be overpowering here), I used a cheesy spinach mixture. It adds scrumptious nutty flavor, a layer of moisture, and some healthy, sneaky veggies. I chose fresh Parmesan over a cream cheese mixture to let the salmon shine.
The Directions
Make Ahead Tips
Salmon Wellington reheats like a dream—we thought it tasted nearly as good as the first time it came out of the oven. It’s also easy to assemble the salmon Wellington “packets” ahead, making this recipe ideal for easy entertaining.
To Make Ahead. Up to 1 day in advance, you can prepare the salmon fillets and wrap them in the puff pastry. Score the puff pastry, but do not add the egg wash on top. Store it in the refrigerator in airtight container. When you’re ready to bake the salmon, then add the egg wash, and bake as directed.To Make Ahead and Freeze. I do not recommend freezing baked salmon Wellington; however, you can freeze salmon Wellington before it is baked. Prepare as directed through the point of scoring the top, but do not add the egg wash on top. Place it on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid. Then, store in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to prepare it, let it set at room temperature for about 20 minutes (enough for the pastry to soften up a bit), then add the egg wash, score, and bake. You’ll need to add 15 to 20 minutes to the cooking time.To Store. Place leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.To Reheat Baked Salmon Wellington. Let the salmon come to near room temperature, then reheat it in the oven at 375 degrees F for about 10 to 15 minutes, until warmed through. You can rewarm this dish in the microwave in a pinch, but it’s likely the pastry will become soggy and the fish will dry out; the oven will yield much better results.
What Sides to Serve with Salmon Wellington
Potatoes. A side of cozy and creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or Roasted Potatoes are a perfect pairing with this dish.Vegetables. Roasted Frozen Broccoli or Sautéed Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Asparagus would be delicious. Learn how to cook asparagus for a crowd favorite.Salad. For a fresh, healthy side, try this Brussels Sprouts Slaw.
More Favorite Baked Salmon Recipes
Spicy Baked SalmonStuffed SalmonTeriyaki SalmonLemon Pepper SalmonWhole30 SalmonGarlic Salmon with Lemon Butter
Ready to stun your guests (and yourself!) with this show stopping salmon Wellington? Whether or not you share how easy this recipe is, I’ll leave to your discretion. Either way, be sure to bask in the applause. You deserve it!
