Easy Salmon Steak Recipe
Looking for a lean, protein-packed dinner that is still loaded with flavor and totally rich? THIS Salmon Steak recipe with Spicy Whipped Feta is the perfect dinner.
I served this recently at a family dinner and everyone from my in-laws to my 3-year-old daughter cleared their plates. It was the perfect dinner that felt really special and took less than 30 minutes.
Salmon is a go-to protein for me because it's rich in omega 3 fatty acids, can easily take on many delicious flavors, and is family-friendly. Thick-cut salmon steaks are easy to cook so let's do it!
Different Cuts of Salmon
First, what is a salmon steak? It's basically cut crosswise and includes the bone. You would more typically find the salmon fillet at the grocery store - but a salmon steak is worth a try for many reasons.
This cut of salmon is thicker than a fillet, and because of that doesn't fall apart as easily.
Since it's cooked bone-in, this, as a rule, yields a more flavorful protein than meats cooked without the bones.
Salmon Steak Vs Fillet
So the benefits of using salmon steak vs fillets include...
- more flavor
- cooks faster
- stays together during the cooking process
How To Cook Salmon Steak
There are many options when it comes to cooking salmon. Salmon can be grilled, baked, broiled, pan-fried, or air-fried!
For this salmon steak recipe with whipped feta, I baked it. Salmon steaks baked in the oven are SO easy, and I start with a lower temperature at the beginning and end with a 2-3 minute broil to finish it off.
Cook time for salmon differs between the methods you use, but this recipe only took about 22-25 minutes to bake in the oven.
Other Ways To Cook It
Pan-fried salmon is a great way to get nice crispy skin. You can use this method with either steaks or fillets. I love pan-frying with the skin on, like in the Crispy Rosemary Salmon.
Air-Fried Salmon is another quick way to prepare your fish. I have a recipe for Air Fried Salmon and Gnocchi that would be a healthy, light lunch option.
Salmon Steak & Whipped Feta Ingredients
Making this salmon is delicious on its own, but serving it alongside this spicy whipped feta is divine! I love the brininess of the feta with the rich, herbed salmon.
To make it perfectly spicy, I'm using Trader Joe's chili onion crunch. If you've never tried this spicy, crunchy chili oil - let me tell you, you're missing out! I love using it on everything from eggs to my Chili Onion Crunch Chickpeas!
Ingredients
- salmon steaks
- salt
- olive oil
- garlic
- dill
- lemon
- grape tomatoes
- feta
- Trader Joe's chili onion crunch oil
My Favorite Seasonings For Salmon
Salmon is such a rich fish on its own. It only takes a few fresh ingredients & cooking techniques to elevate it from a dry piece of fish to something you crave every night.
For this salmon, and many of my other salmon recipes here is a simple list of ingredients that you can use to make it delicious every time.
- LOTS of fresh garlic. Like, more than you think. Trust me - it's amazing.
- Lemon zest + lemon juice. It adds acid to the richness of the salmon and balances out the flavors.
- Salt. An obvious one!
- Fresh herbs. Thyme, rosemary, oregano, or in this recipe, dill! Adding a pop of freshness and green color to the mix is a hit every time.
Salmon Skin & How To Remove It
Should you eat salmon skin? I like it nice and crispy and it does have some health benefits to it.
However for example my husband would rather not eat it. It can be easily removed before or after cooking, just check out my blog post with step by steps for removing salmon skin.
It's totally up to you if you choose to remove it, leave it, or eat it!
FAQ
After baking salmon, keep it separate from any sides or sauces if you plan to store it. I just pop it in an air-tight Tupperware and it keeps for 2-3 days to enjoy on salads or as leftovers.
Veggies on the side, this whipped feta cheese dip, or a big delicious salad would be amazing sides for salmon.
My biggest tip is to leave the skin on and bones in for this cooking process. Remove them after cooking and right before serving to maximize flavor and make the eating process easier for guests.
Salmon Steak Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
- 1 sheet tray
Ingredients
Salmon
- 2 salmon steaks bone-in, skin on
- 4 cloves of garlic
- zest of 2 lemons
- 2 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- 4 sprigs fresh dill
Whipped Feta
- 8 oz block feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chili onion crunch oil or sub 1 tablespoon olive oil + 1 tablespoon chili flakes
- 1 clove garlic
- zest of 1 lemon
- juice of ½ a lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 and place a piece of parchment on a sheet pan.
- Remove the salmon from the fridge and place on the sheet tray along with cherry tomatoes.
- Season the 2 salmon steaks & tomatoes with minced garlic, salt, pepper, lemon zest, dill, and olive oil.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- While that bakes, in a food processor combine the feta, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil.
- Blend for 1-2 minutes until smooth and refrigerate until the salmon is done.
- Serve the salmon alongside the whipped feta and top with the cherry tomatoes.
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