Best 3 Whole Baked Salmon Recipes

Whole baked salmon is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its flaky flesh and rich flavor, salmon is a favorite among seafood lovers. Baking the salmon whole allows it to retain its moisture and flavor, making it a healthy and satisfying meal. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the best salmon for baking, preparing it for the oven, and creating a flavorful marinade or sauce to enhance the natural taste of the fish. We'll also provide tips for cooking the salmon to perfection, ensuring a tender and succulent dish that will impress your family and friends.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BAKED WHOLE SALMON

Baked Whole Salmon image

We don't get much fresh seafood around here. So when I see some whole salmon in the grocery store, I snap it up and make this elegant entree.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 2h

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

3/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
3/4 cup chopped celery leaves
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 lemon slices
8 fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons dried tarragon
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 whole salmon (about 10 pounds)
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
WINE SAUCE:
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2-1/3 cups water
2-1/3 cups white wine or chicken broth
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the first eight ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes., Remove head and tail from salmon if desired. Place a double thickness of heavy-duty foil on a baking sheet (longer than the length of the fish). Grease foil. Place salmon on foil; sprinkle the cavity with salt. Pour herb sauce over fish. Fold foil over fish and seal tightly. , Bake at 375° for 60-75 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork., Place salmon on a serving platter and keep warm. Strain cooking juices, reserving 1/3 cup. In a large saucepan, saute green onions in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in the water, wine and reserved cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Reduce heat. Stir a small amount of hot liquid into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Add the cream, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 160°. Serve with the salmon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 741 calories, Fat 46g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 251mg cholesterol, Sodium 523mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 66g protein.

WHOLE SALMON BAKED IN FOIL

Whole salmon baked in foil image

Provided by Craig Claiborne And Pierre Franey

Categories dinner, roasts, main course

Time 1h

Yield Eight to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 six-to-eight-pound, cleaned, whole salmon, preferably with head left on (see note)
1 cup thinly sliced carrot
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt
8 peppercorns, crushed
1 clove garlic, unpeeled and crushed
1 bay leaf
2 cups dry white wine

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Select a baking sheet large enough to accommodate the fish.
Lay out a long double length of heavy-duty aluminum foil on top of the baking sheet. Place the cleaned salmon in the center of the foil and add the carrot, onion, shallots, celery, thyme, salt to taste, peppercorns, garlic, bay leaf and wine. Bring up the edges of the foil and seal as compactly and tightly as possible.
Place the fish in the oven and bake 50 minutes to one hour. At the end of 50 minutes, loosen the foil and test for doneness. The fish is cooked when the back center fin can be easily removed when pulled with the fingers. Remove from the oven.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 713, UnsaturatedFat 24 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 43 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 65 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 933 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams

WHOLE BAKED SALMON

Whole Baked Salmon image

Provided by Shula Udoff

Categories Citrus Fish Onion Bake Spring Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 4-pound whole salmon with head and tail, scaled
6 green onions, chopped
5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup dry white wine
10 whole black peppercorns
Paper-thin cucumber slices
Lemon wedges
Fresh dill sprigs

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Stack 2 heavy-duty foil sheets on large baking sheet. Place fish on foil. Sprinkle half of green onions and 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice inside fish. Drizzle remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice over fish. Drizzle oil over. Pour wine over; sprinkle with peppercorns. Sprinkle remaining green onions around fish. Bring up foil around fish, sealing tightly but leaving airspace between fish and foil. Bake fish 1 hour. Remove from oven. Open foil and let fish cool 1 hour. Reseal foil and refrigerate until cold, about 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
Open foil. Carefully remove skin from fish. Scrape off any grayish flesh. Transfer fish to platter. Garnish top of fish with cucumber slices. Surround with lemon wedges and dill sprigs.

Tips:

Choose the freshest salmon possible. Fresh salmon will have a bright pink color and a mild, fishy smell. Avoid salmon that is dull in color or has a strong, fishy smell.
Rinse the salmon thoroughly before cooking. This will help to remove any bacteria or debris from the fish.
Pat the salmon dry with paper towels before cooking. This will help to prevent the fish from sticking to the pan.
Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil or melted butter to help keep the fish moist.
Cook the salmon over medium heat. This will help to prevent the fish from overcooking and becoming dry. Use food thermometer and cook the salmon to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Serve the salmon immediately. Salmon is best served hot, but it can also be served cold or at room temperature.

Conclusion:

Whole baked salmon is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you are looking for a simple weeknight meal or a special dish to impress your guests, whole baked salmon is a great choice.