Zesty Baked Salmon with Avocado & Feta Recipe: A Tasty Trio
Salmon lovers rejoice as this baked salmon with avocado and feta recipe delivers a burst of Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.
The rich, tender fish pairs beautifully with creamy avocado and tangy feta cheese.
Each bite promises a delightful combination of textures and tastes that will elevate your dinner game.
Fresh ingredients merge seamlessly in this simple yet elegant dish that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.
The salmon emerges from the oven perfectly flaky and infused with herb-packed seasonings.
Vibrant colors and bold flavors make this recipe a standout option for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive dinner for guests.
Let’s find out this culinary adventure and experience a delicious twist on classic seafood.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Calories: 400 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients List for Baked Salmon with Avocado and Feta
For Salmon Base:
Salmon Fillets: Fresh, wild-caught salmon ensures rich flavor and buttery texture; choose bright, firm fillets without discoloration.
Olive Oil: Helps salmon cook evenly and adds smooth, rich undertones; extra virgin provides deeper taste.
Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika: Classic seasoning blend that enhances salmon's natural flavors and creates delicious depth.
For Citrus & Herb Infusion:
Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bright, tangy elements that cut through salmon's richness and add zesty complexity.
Fresh Dill: Delicate herb with subtle anise notes that perfectly complements fish's delicate flavor.
For Topping:
Avocado, Feta Cheese: Creamy, fresh combination that adds luxurious texture and Mediterranean-inspired brightness.
Fresh Chives: Mild onion-like herb that provides subtle, crisp finish to the dish.
Tools for Baking Salmon with Avocado and Feta
Baking Dish: Essential for roasting salmon evenly and catching juices.
Small Bowls: Two needed for mixing topping and olive oil marinade.
Paper Towels: Perfect for drying salmon fillets before cooking.
Whisk: Great for blending olive oil mixture smoothly.
Pastry Brush: Helps spread olive oil marinade evenly on salmon.
Cutting Board: Used for chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
Sharp Knife: Needed for dicing avocado and chopping herbs.
Measuring Spoons: For precise seasoning and oil measurements.
Fork: Helps check salmon doneness and flaking.
How to Make Baked Salmon with Avocado and Feta
Oven Preparation Kitchen warmth begins with setting your oven to a perfect roasting temperature around 400°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for our salmon adventure.
Salmon Selection Choosing fresh, high-quality salmon fillets ensures a mouthwatering meal that will impress family and friends with minimal effort.
Flavor Infusion Gently massage olive oil across salmon surfaces, sprinkling herbs and zesty seasonings that will transform ordinary fish into a culinary masterpiece.
Herbal Symphony Combining delicate herbs like dill and chives with bright lemon zest creates a vibrant flavor profile that elevates the salmon's natural richness.
Cooling Companion Crafting a refreshing avocado and feta topping adds a creamy, tangy element that perfectly complements the warm, flaky salmon.
Baking Perfection Slide the seasoned salmon into the preheated oven, allowing the heat to work its magic for approximately 10-12 minutes until the fish becomes tender and easily flakes.
Elegant Presentation Top the golden-brown salmon with the chilled avocado-feta mixture, creating a stunning contrast of temperatures and textures that will delight your taste buds.
Flavors to Add to Baked Salmon with Feta
Choose fresh, wild-caught salmon fillets with vibrant pink-orange color and firm texture for best results.
Replace dill with fresh basil or parsley if desired, creating unique flavor profiles that complement the fish's richness.
Swap feta cheese with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew crumbles for lactose-intolerant guests.
Experiment with different spice blends like za'atar, Cajun seasoning, or Mediterranean herb mix to elevate the salmon's flavor profile and add exciting regional touches.
Prepare the avocado-feta topping up to 4 hours ahead and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
Serving Ideas for Salmon with Avocado Twist
Fresh Garnish Delight: Sprinkle extra chopped chives or dill on top for a burst of color and garden-fresh flavor that adds brightness to the salmon's rich profile.
Mediterranean Side Pairing: Serve alongside a crisp Greek salad or quinoa pilaf to complement the tangy feta and creamy avocado, creating a balanced and elegant meal experience.
Wine and Wellness Combo: Pair with a chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which enhances the salmon's delicate texture and cuts through the rich avocado topping.
Presentation Pro Tip: Plate the salmon on a white ceramic dish to make the green avocado and white feta pop, creating an Instagram-worthy meal that looks as good as it tastes.
Smart Storage for Baked Salmon with Feta
Fridge Storage Smart: Keep leftover salmon in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent flavor transfer to other foods.
Quick Reheat Technique: Warm refrigerated salmon gently in the oven at 275°F for 8-10 minutes to retain moisture and prevent drying out. Avoid microwave reheating to preserve texture.
Freezer Friendly Strategy: Wrap individual salmon portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze untopped salmon for maximum 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
Topping Separation Trick: Store avocado-feta mixture separately from salmon to prevent sogginess. Keep chilled and add fresh just before serving for maximum flavor and crisp texture.
Delicious baked salmon with avocado & feta combines Mediterranean flavors for a quick weeknight dinner. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a protein-packed meal that delivers rich, creamy textures with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
4 salmon fillets (without skin)
1 large avocado (diced)
⅓ cup (80 ml) feta cheese (crumbled)
2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
1 tsp fresh dill (chopped)
1 tbsp fresh chives (sliced)
1 tsp lemon zest
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
Paprika (to taste)
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly coat a ceramic baking dish with non-stick spray.
Topping Creation: Blend diced avocado, crumbled feta, chopped dill, and sliced chives in a mixing bowl. Enhance with lemon juice, salt, and pepper, gently folding to combine flavors.
Salmon Preparation: Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and dill to create a marinade. Brush fillets thoroughly with the mixture, then season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Baking Process: Roast salmon in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until fish turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Final Touch: Immediately top hot salmon with the chilled avocado-feta mixture, creating a vibrant temperature and flavor contrast.
Notes
Moisture Management: Pat salmon fillets completely dry to help seasonings stick and achieve crispy exterior.
Flavor Layering: Marinate salmon briefly to enhance taste depth without breaking down delicate fish proteins.
Temperature Contrast: Chill avocado topping beforehand to create exciting temperature difference when served on hot salmon.
Cooking Precision: Check salmon doneness by gentle flaking – avoid overcooking to maintain tender, succulent texture.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.