Salmon Wellington is known by many as salmon en croûte or puff pastry salmon. It is one of these superb-looking easy salmon recipes you can always choose to make and will not only please but will wow any crowd.
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🤷🏻♀️ What is salmon Wellington?
Salmon Wellington is a savory dish and consists of a seasoned salmon fillet placed on a bed of creamy spinach and wrapped into puff pastry or any homemade pastry dough, gets egg-washed, and lastly baked in the oven.
The outcome is simply beautiful. It is one of these dishes that are easy to make for entertaining especially at last-minute visits.
❗️Origins of salmon Wellington
The origins of salmon wellington date back to Tudor times in England (mid-1400s to early 1600s).
It was beef Wellington then - a fillet of beef coated with pâté and mushroom duxelles that was also wrapped in pastry and baked. It was a very popular dish among the 'upper class'. I am very grateful this beautiful dish was invented then so we can enjoy it today. Could we call this an English dish? We could, right? It was such a very clever idea!
Later this Wellington dish idea became a subject of experimenting with other types of protein that were a little more affordable and this is how it arrived at the salmon idea.
What is mushroom duxelles?
Duxelles consists of finely chopped mushrooms, onions (or shallots), herbs (thyme or parsley) salt, and black pepper, sautéed in olive oil or butter and reduced to a paste. Sometimes cream is added, and even a dash of Madeira or sherry for some extra flavors. It is delicious.
In this recipe, I just added the spinach with cheese but often I add some nice chopped mushroom, which is beautiful too.
🥘 Ingredients
- Salmon Fillet Look out for good wild-caught salmon, yes, it is pricier but it is so much better and nutrient-rich than the regular farmed salmon. It is also important that your salmon fillet is skinless. If the salmon has the skin on, ask the fishmongers to remove it for you.
- Pastry If you are using frozen pastry it is important to take it out of the freezer on time to be at room temperature when working with it.
- Egg wash It is an important one as it will make your salmon wellington look a real treat and a lot more attractive. Brushing will only take 30 seconds.
- Spinach and creme cheese is a combo made in heaven that cannot be replaced although I sometimes add chopped mushrooms too. These also help with keeping the salmon nice and moist.
- Lemon to add as the last thing just before serving for a touch of tanginess, freshness, and much needed with any protein, seafood, in particular, acidity.
- Seasonings A combination of salt, pepper, nutmeg, and garlic, gives the dish the ultimate die-for flavors. Thyme is also nice to add if you like. Do not forget the nutmeg! This makes a true difference.
🔪 How to make salmon Wellington
- First, sauté the onion with butter oil or ghee, and garlic in a pan or in a skillet. Then add the cream cheese, spinach, and grated Parmesan.
- Roll and cut the thawed puff pastry which should be at room temperature to avoid the pastry cracking/breaking.
- Place the lightly seasoned salmon onto the puff pastry, add the spinach mixture on top, and fold the puff pastry over the salmon.
- Transfer the salmon to the prepared (lined with parchment paper) oven tray, give it a good egg wash a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and bake for approximately 30-40 minutes.
Top tip
If you have any trimmings left over from trimming the fillet for this salmon dish please keep it and give this Sushi Bake Recipe.
❓Recipe FAQs
Any vegetables are great like peas, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, spring greens, collard, Swiss chard, and grilled courgettes/zucchinis. Mushed potato or freshly made salads will be the perfect made-in-heaven match.
You may also choose to make individual wraps with small fillets rather than whole large fillets. You should not use more than 100g fillets as the wraps could easily turn into giant portions with a lot of pastry.
Making ahead this dish for easy entertaining is an option, here's how:
A few hours up to a day before:
Prepare it all like it's almost ready to make it to the oven just do not egg wash. Wrap it in cling film and store it refrigerated until ready to bake.
Place in a container or on a plate just in case you get some juices escaping. Egg wash just before going into the oven, a few hours later, or the next day.
More than a day before:
I totally do not recommend baking it and then freezing it, instead, get it all ready again, wrap it in cling film, and freeze it in an airtight container.
Take out of the freezer, remove all the wrapping place on a baking tray, egg wash, and bake in a preheated oven adding 5-10 min longer than the actual baking time.
The salmon should be allowed to come to room temperature, then reheat in the oven at 180C or 360F for approximately 13 minutes. It needs to warm all through.
If you insist, it can be rewarmed in the microwave in no time, but I do not recommend it as the pastry will become soggy and the fish will dry out, which is exactly the opposite of what we want this dish to be like.
Crispy on the outside and moist inside. I would only consider the oven but yes, as a last resort, the microwave will help.
If you want to challenge yourself by making your pastry go for it! It is not the hardest thing at all! I do encourage you to do it! Homemade pastry can be made in several ways and phyllo pastry is probably the most challenging one to make at home.
I do make the pastry just like in this buffalo chicken bites recipe when I have some extra time and that is very rewarding as at least you know the recipe it's made all from scratch.
📦 Storage
Place leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Salmon Wellington can be frozen for upcoming parties but freeze it uncooked.
Prepare the dish as directed through the point of scoring the top and do not add the egg wash on top. Place it on a plate or a baking sheet in the freezer until solid. Then, store in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for a maximum of 3 months.
🦀 Other seafood recipes you will love:
- Delicious Monkfish Curry25 Minutes
- Homemade Sushi Cake1 Hours
- Spicy Calamari35 Minutes
- Rainbow Trout With Potatoes And Spring Garlic30 Minutes
🍽 More salmon recipes to enjoy
- Salmon and crudites salad with coconut blossom nectar and umami salt vinaigrette
- Salmon warm salad with Swiss chard and pasta
- Refreshing salmon pate
- Salmon, pesto, and asparagus bake
- Salmon teriyaki with edamame and rice
- Exotix baked salmon (spicy)
- Salmon and broccoli mess
- Feta And Ricotta Cheese With Spinach And Dill Filo Wraps
📋 Salmon Wellington
Equipment
- chopping board
- knife
- ovenproof dish
- spatula
- brush
Ingredients
- 500 g salmon fillet (18 oz) skin off - preferably
- 8 tablespoon fresh dill (4 oz) freshly chopped
- 1 pack puff pastry or homemade wholemeal pastry at room temperature
- ½ tsp salt kosher or pink Himalayan used for both spinach and salmon to season
- ¼ tsp nutmeg freshly ground
- 400 g fresh spinach (14 oz)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 40 g parmesan cheese (1.5 oz) grated
- 1 med onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds I used mixed (black and white)
- 1 small egg beaten
- 2-3 tbsp cream cheese or heavy cream
Instructions
- While making all the preps for this salmon Wellington dish, keep the salmon fillet in the fridge.
- Place the oven rack in the center of your oven. Preheat the oven to 200°C or 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place a larger frying pan over medium heat, and add the olive oil or ghee, garlic, and onion. Cook until translucent.
- Add the spinach, salt, and pepper, nutmeg, and cook until the spinach is wilted. Add cream cheese and cook until all juices have reduced, for approximately 4 min.
- Add the parmesan, and dill and stir until well combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
- On a chopping board, unroll and smooth out the sheet of puff pastry and place the salmon (skin side up) in the middle of the pastry sheet. Season both sides of the salmon with salt and pepper.
- Spoon over the top of the salmon fillet the spinach mixture, spreading this equally over the salmon and smoothing it out so that it does not spill over the sides.
- Fold the edges of the pastry over the salmon and spinach. Start with folding the longer sides followed by the shorter ones. Trim any excess pastry from the ends (if any) then fold the ends over the top. Flip the pastry-wrapped salmon over and transfer it to the prepared and parchment-lined baking tray.
- Brush over the beaten egg covering well all the sides of the pastry. Use a knife to score the top of the pastry whatever pattern you wish to make. Brush with the leftover egg a little more. Sprinkle the sesame seeds.
- Transfer the tray with the salmon into the oven and bake for 30 minutes at 200°C or 400°F or until the pastry becomes golden brown. I like it quite nice and brown but careful not to burn it.
- When ready, take out of the oven, take the salmon out with a serving spatula place it on a chopping board and cut it into portions. Serve immediately and enjoy! Heavenly!
Notes
- Add it (in Step 3) and cook when the onion is almost done to reduce the runny cream.
- Add ¼ cup breadcrumbs or semolina in step 4 after wilting the spinach and added the cream too. Add the breadcrumbs too. Will help with soaking up the cream.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
That is a gorgeous recipe. I love the spinach filling between the layers. The spices are perfect and work very well together. I am yet to try it with homemade pastry sheets.
Ramona says
Thank you so much! I am thrilled you liked it too.
Debbie says
Made this yesterday - used cheddar ad didn't have parmesan. It was a huge hit! I did need to leave it in the over for 40mins in total but it was well worth it.
Thank you for the great recipe!
Savita says
This weekend I tried my hands on this beautiful beautiful recipe, Loved every bit of it.
Krysten says
I love salmon wellington! This recipe was really easy and helped me make it for the first time. I love the spinach and parmesan interior, yum! My favorite part in addition to the flaky crust.
Ramona says
Yes, it really is a great combo and if you make the pastry at home its even better.
Moop Brown says
This salmon wellington looks really tasty and the outside pastry part looks super flaky and like it is the perfect texture.
Ramona says
It really is my dear. Thanks so much.
Hayley Dhanecha says
What a beautiful way to serve salmon! Delicious and perfect for get togethers. Thanks for sharing it.
Ramona says
You are most welcome Hayley! xoxo
Jamie says
I made this for a dinner party and everyone was so impressed! The presentation was beautiful and the salmon was perfect!
Ramona says
wow, I am very impressed dear Jamie, thanks so much for your feedback and for taking time to let me know about may salmon recipe. Have a wonderful week ahead.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
What a lovely and elegant way to dress up salmon! Such beautiful layers and always a wow factor!
Carrie Robinson says
This is such an elegant dinner idea! 🙂 I will have to try to make this soon for dinner guests. It is quite impressive!
Amy Liu Dong says
This is a nice twist for the known wellington. It is tasty and the elements are sublime, there's nothing i can really say!
Krystle says
I've had this while dining out but never at home. It was easier than I thought and we loved it!
Jenny says
This is easily my favorite recipe in 2023. I love making beef wellington and I made salmon wellington for my in-laws who actually live in Wellington NZ for a surprise and a laugh and they loved it. It was one of our most enjoyable dinner parties thanks to your recipe. Thank you.
sean says
Salmon wellington is one of my favorite ways to eat salmon. I cannot get enough of the pastry wrapping.
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
What a lovely dish that is worthy of a Christmas dinner for sure! So easy yet it looks so complex. A crowd pleaser and something everyone loved! Thank you so much for sharing!
Loreto and Nicoletta says
This is such a wonderful post full of history, and passion for good food! We are loving this Sakmon Wellington. A great way to use salmon in an elevated way. Definitely going to try this!
Thanks for inspiring us !
Great work! ❤️ 😍
Erin says
I didn't realize salmon wellington was even a thing! I can't wait to try this. It looks perfect for the holidays.
Carrie Robinson says
Such a gorgeous and impressive dinner idea for the holiday season! 🙂 I have had beef wellington before, but not salmon. I need to try this soon.
Jacqueline Debono says
This is my new favourite salmon recipe. It's so easy to make and yet really special. I made it for guests the other night and they were so impressed!
Elaine says
This is such a brilliant recipe! It's delicious and surprisingly easy! Great recipe!
Bernice says
What a stunning dinner creation! I love the layers and how beautifully cooked the fish is. I've made beef wellington several times but never salmon wellington. This is something I must make very soon!
Gloria says
This is the ultimate recipe for entertaining. Elegant and presentation perfect. A true way to impress your dinner guests.
Amy Liu Dong says
I love how delicious and easy to make this dish. My husband loves it!
Lilly says
So delicious! My family and I enjoyed the salmon. Will definitely be making it again
Ramona says
Thank you so much Lilly!
Amy Liu Dong says
Hands up to this recipe. It was so delicious and it is so easy to make!
Odette says
Hey Ramona, I made this salmon wellington for my family last night for Christmas eve, and what a delightful outcome! The mushrooms and the fresh dill, wow!! I would have never thought of combining these with salmon. All in all a wonderful, wonderful salmon recipe that I will be making often. Next time I will try making my own pastry. Thanks for this amazing recipe, Ramona!!
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Odette for your feedback. I am so soo happy you liked my salmon wellington recipe - we love it too and everyone that I have made it for. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Susan says
Do you think I could do individual servings? Would I cook it for the same Length of time?
Ramona's Cuisine says
Hi Susan,
Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, categorically, you can do individual servings and the cooking time will be roughly indicated by the size and the pastry - when the pastry is cooked you'll know that fish is cooked too. Just place the salmon wellingtons bang in the middle of the oven and you should cook at the same temperature indicated already as if too low or too high there will be chances that the salmon will remain undercooked.
I hope this answers your question but please get back with feedback or more questions which I will be more than happy to answer to my best abilities 😉
Moop Brown says
This salmon looks incredibly juicy and flavorful. Definitely seems like a dish everyone will enjoy.
Ramona says
thank you Marwin xx
Amy Liu Dong says
An awesome Salmon recipe that everybody can try, definitely looks so yummy. Every ingredient we love is in this dish. I would love to make this at home.
Ramona says
Thanks so much Amy!
Katie Crenshaw says
I felt so fancy making this! It turned out awesome! My husband LOVED it! I will be making it again soon.
Ramona says
Yay! Great, dear Katie, I am soo glad you loved it too.
It is definitely a dish we adore over here.
Aya says
We love salmon so I had to try this recipe. It turned out amazing and we devoured it! I will be adding salmon wellington to my menu from this day forward! Thank you!
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Aya, I am thrilled you loved my salmon wellington recipe!
Lisa says
Absolutely delicious and a perfect special occasion entree. We love mushrooms so added the duxelles. We loved it!
Veronika says
This salmon wellington was amazing!! I love both salmon and filo pastry but somehow have never made this until now. The whole family enjoyed it so it's definitely going into our rotation.
Ramona says
Thank you so much Veronika!
veenaazmanov says
Too delicious to resist. My comfort meal and dish too. Love your recipe. Yum Yum Yum...
Amanda says
What a great recipe for a special occasion! The presentation was beautiful and impressive, and the salmon came out perfectly cooked.