7 Festive Christmas Salmon Dishes To Try

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious and festive Christmas salmon dish? Salmon is a popular choice for holiday meals, and for good reason - it's flavorful, nutritious, and can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit any taste. In this article, we'll explore 7 festive Christmas salmon dishes to try, each one more mouth-watering than the last.

The Importance of Salmon in Holiday Cooking Salmon has long been a staple of holiday cooking, particularly in Scandinavian and Asian cultures. Its rich flavor and firm texture make it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to main courses. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing start to your holiday meal or a hearty and satisfying main course, salmon is an excellent choice.

Salmon's Health Benefits But salmon is more than just a tasty ingredient - it's also a nutritious one. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon has been shown to have a range of health benefits, from reducing inflammation to improving heart health. So not only will these festive Christmas salmon dishes impress your guests, but they'll also provide a healthy and nutritious start to the new year.

Now, let's dive into our top 7 picks for festive Christmas salmon dishes to try.

1. Cranberry Glazed Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

This dish is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, with the tangy cranberry glaze complementing the rich flavor of the salmon. Simply brush the salmon with a mixture of cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and soy sauce, and roast in the oven with your favorite vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 Brussels sprouts, trimmed

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
3. Brush the mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
4. Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sliced onion, garlic, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.
6. Roast in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.

2. Smoked Salmon Pâté with Toasted Bagels and Red Onion

This dish is a delicious and elegant start to any holiday meal. Simply blend smoked salmon with cream cheese, lemon juice, and chopped fresh dill, and serve on toasted bagels with thinly sliced red onion.

Ingredients:

• 1 package smoked salmon
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 4 toasted bagels
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, blend the smoked salmon, cream cheese, lemon juice, and chopped fresh dill until smooth.
2. Spread the mixture onto toasted bagels.
3. Top with thinly sliced red onion.

3. Baked Salmon with Lemon-Dill Quinoa and Steamed Asparagus

This dish is a healthy and flavorful option for a holiday main course. Simply bake the salmon with a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh dill, and serve with lemon-dill quinoa and steamed asparagus.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 pound fresh asparagus

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh dill.
3. Brush the mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.
4. Place the salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through.
6. Cook quinoa according to package instructions.
7. Steam asparagus until tender.

4. Grilled Salmon with Spicy Pineapple Salsa

This dish is a flavorful and refreshing option for a holiday meal. Simply grill the salmon and serve with a spicy pineapple salsa made with diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 cup diced pineapple
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Grill the salmon for 4-6 minutes per side or until cooked through.
3. In a bowl, combine diced pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice.
4. Serve the salsa over the grilled salmon.

5. Salmon Wellington with Puff Pastry and Spinach

This dish is a show-stopping main course for any holiday meal. Simply wrap the salmon in puff pastry with a layer of spinach and feta cheese, and bake until golden brown.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 package puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, combine spinach and feta cheese.
3. Place a salmon fillet on one half of the puff pastry, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
4. Spoon the spinach and feta mixture over the salmon.
5. Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg and water.
6. Fold the other half of the pastry over the salmon and press the edges to seal.
7. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Pan-Seared Salmon with Capers and Browned Butter

This dish is a rich and flavorful option for a holiday meal. Simply pan-sear the salmon and serve with a browned butter sauce made with capers, garlic, and lemon juice.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon capers, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
3. Add capers and cook for 1 minute or until crispy.
4. Add lemon juice and stir to combine.
5. Pan-sear the salmon for 4-6 minutes per side or until cooked through.
6. Serve the salmon with the browned butter sauce.

7. Smoked Salmon Bagels with Cream Cheese and Red Onion

This dish is a delicious and easy-to-make option for a holiday brunch. Simply top toasted bagels with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and thinly sliced red onion.

Ingredients:

• 4 bagels
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 package smoked salmon
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Toast bagels.
2. Spread cream cheese on each bagel.
3. Top with smoked salmon and thinly sliced red onion.

Now that you've seen these 7 festive Christmas salmon dishes, it's time to get cooking! Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing start to your holiday meal or a hearty and satisfying main course, these dishes are sure to impress your guests. So go ahead, give one (or two, or three...) a try, and make this holiday season one to remember.