This baked salmon is ideal for a quick, healthy dinner—tender, full of flavor, and finished with the best avocado-feta topping. Ready in under 30 minutes.
I love salmon and typically reach for sweeter glazes, but this savory Mediterranean-style baked salmon has become a favorite. It’s light yet savory, incredibly tender, and comes together quickly—an excellent choice for an easy weeknight meal.
The star is the avocado-feta topping. Creamy avocado, salty feta, and bright herbs like fresh dill and chives combine to create a vibrant, creamy finish that complements the salmon perfectly. It’s high in protein, satisfying, and simple to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Salmon fillets: Select fillets that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Both skin-on and skinless fillets work; this recipe uses skinless fillets.
Lemons: You’ll use lemon juice and lemon zest—1–2 lemons depending on size.
Olive oil: A light-tasting olive oil is used to brush the salmon for moisture and flavor.
Avocado: Choose ripe or slightly soft avocados for the creamiest texture in the topping.
Feta cheese: A block of feta crumbled by hand will yield better flavor and texture than pre-crumbled varieties.
Fresh dill: Dill adds brightness and is used both in the lemon-oil brush and the avocado-feta topping.
Chives: Mild and oniony, chives add a subtle bite without overpowering the topping.
Spices: Salt, black pepper, and paprika are used to season the salmon. The avocado-feta topping is lightly seasoned with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
How To Make Baked Salmon
1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 400°F (204°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine diced avocado, crumbled feta, chopped dill, and sliced chives. Squeeze lemon juice over the mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the salmon.
3. Prepare the salmon: Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel and arrange them in the prepared baking dish. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and remaining dill, then brush this mixture over each fillet. Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
4. Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through.
5. Serve: Spoon the avocado-feta topping over each fillet and serve immediately.
Serving Suggestions
This salmon shines with bright, zesty flavors, so pair it with simple sides that won’t compete. Try roasted vegetables, a light salad, or a plain grain. Some favorites:
- Roasted baby potatoes
- White rice or rice pilaf
- Sautéed asparagus
- Roasted broccoli with onions
- Garlic bread
Why You’ll Love This Baked Salmon
- Bursting with flavor: Lemon zest, fresh dill, and salty feta brighten every bite.
- Fast and easy: Salmon bakes in under 15 minutes and the topping takes only minutes to prepare.
- Nutritious and satisfying: Salmon provides lean protein and omega-3s, and avocado adds healthy fats and creaminess.
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Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta
Ingredients
For the salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (without skin)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Paprika, to taste
For the avocado-feta topping:
- 1 large avocado, diced
- ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh chives, sliced
- ½ lemon, juiced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the oven. Preheat to 400°F and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Make the avocado-feta topping. Combine avocado, crumbled feta, dill, and chives in a small bowl. Add lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, then cover and refrigerate.
- Prepare the salmon. Pat fillets dry and place in the baking dish. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and dill; brush over fillets. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Bake. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve. Spoon the avocado-feta topping over each fillet and serve immediately.
Notes
More salmon recipes you might enjoy:
- Roasted Chipotle Salmon with Peach Salsa
- Baked Sugar Spiced Salmon
- Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon
- Easy Smoked Salmon Roll Ups