This easy Crab Stuffed Salmon is great for a fancy event. It’s made with tasty salmon fillets and a homemade cream cheese and crab meat filling. Make it once, and you’ll want to make it every week!.
Don’t leave this page until you’ve tried these simple, healthy salmon recipes or our delicious pesto salmon.
Crab stuffed salmon is a fancy seafood dish that looks great enough for a dinner party but is also simple enough to make any night of the week. Salmon fillets that are soft are stuffed with a creamy, savory crab filling that bakes up golden and tasty.
But with all baked entrees, don’t you want to know exactly how long to bake crab stuffed salmon to ensure it turns out perfectly cooked? Undercooked salmon can be gummy and unappetizing. On the other hand, overcooked salmon gets dry and flaky.
Luckily, baking crab stuffed salmon is simple if you follow a few guidelines In this article, I’ll share tips on how to know when your crab stuffed salmon is done, how long to bake it, and what temperature you should cook it to Read on for salmon success!
How to Tell When Crab Stuffed Salmon is Done
Salmon, like all fish, can be tricky to cook just right since it cooks relatively quickly and can easily be overcooked With crab stuffed salmon, you need to ensure both the salmon and the stuffing are fully cooked through.
Here are 3 ways to check for doneness when baking crab stuffed salmon:
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Get a meat thermometer. Insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the salmon fillet, making sure to stay away from the bone. Properly cooked salmon should reach an internal temperature of 145°F. The stuffing should reach 165°F.
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Check the salmon for flaky meat. To do this, carefully pull apart a small piece of the salmon with a fork. It should flake and separate easily when fully cooked.
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Look for opaque, white color – Salmon flesh will turn from translucent pink when raw to opaque and white/pink when fully cooked.
Once your salmon reaches the proper internal temperature, flakes easily, and appears opaque throughout, it is ready to remove from the oven.
Now let’s talk about exactly how long that takes!
How Long to Bake Crab Stuffed Salmon
The exact baking time for crab stuffed salmon depends on a few factors:
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Thickness of the fillets – Thicker salmon fillets will take longer to cook through than thinner pieces. Plan for 18-22 minutes for 1-inch thick fillets.
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Amount of filling – The more stuffing piled into each fillet, the longer they will need to bake.
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Oven temperature – Standard oven temperatures for baking fish range from 400°F to 450°F. Hotter ovens will cook the salmon faster.
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Convection vs standard oven – A convection oven circulates air for faster, more even cooking. Reduce time by about 5 minutes if using convection.
Taking all these elements into account, here are general guidelines for how long to bake crab stuffed salmon:
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For 1-inch thick salmon fillets stuffed with a moderate amount of crab filling at 400°F, bake for 18-20 minutes
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For skinnier 1/2-inch fillets with less filling, bake at 425°F for 15-18 minutes
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For extra thick 1 1/2-inch portions with generous filling, bake at 400°F up to 22-25 minutes
No matter what size salmon you are cooking, always rely on visual cues like flakiness and color rather than just going by time. Ovens can vary quite a bit, so checking salmon early is key.
What is the Best Temperature for Cooking Crab Stuffed Salmon?
The optimal oven temperature for perfectly baked crab stuffed salmon is between 400-450°F. This relatively high heat helps achieve a browned, crispy top crust on the fish while thoroughly cooking the interior.
Aim for 425°F if you want to cook the salmon a little more quickly. For a more gentle bake that dries out the fish less, stick to 400°F and expect the full cooking time.
You can also use a lower temperature around 350°F to bake crab stuffed salmon, but extend cooking time by 5-10 minutes. The benefit of slower baking is less chance of overcooking. Just be diligent about checking for doneness early.
No matter what oven temp you choose, preheating the oven fully is a must. Putting seafood into a cold or only partially heated oven can lead to improper cooking.
Helpful Tips for Baked Crab Stuffed Salmon
Follow these tips for baked crab stuffed salmon with the ideal texture and flavor:
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Pat salmon fillets dry before stuffing to prevent steaming
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Use an instant read thermometer to check temperature
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Bake on a parchment lined pan for easy cleanup
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Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a crispy, browned top
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Let salmon rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier results
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Add fresh herbs like dill or parsley to the stuffing for brightness
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Serve with lemon wedges, roasted veggies, or rice pilaf
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Store leftovers for up to 2 days refrigerated in an airtight container
Is Baked or Broiled Crab Stuffed Salmon Better?
Baking and broiling are both great cooking methods and work well for crab stuffed salmon. Here’s how they compare:
Baked
- Cooks the fish evenly from all sides
- Allows a crispy browned top from uncovered cooking
- Can be done at a lower temp for gentle cooking
Broiled
- Achieves an ultra crispy, caramelized top crust
- Cooks very quickly under high direct heat
- Can lead to dryness if not watched closely
For the most control, I suggest baking the salmon at 400°F for the majority of the cooking time. Then switch to high broil for just 1-2 minutes at the end to finish it off with a crunchy, browned top.
Is Crab Stuffed Salmon Baked or Fried Typically?
While crab cakes and other breaded seafood are often fried, crab stuffed salmon is most commonly baked in the oven rather than fried.
Baking allows the delicate flavors of the crab and salmon to shine, while frying would overwhelm them with oil. The high oven heat deliciously crisps the fish’s crust while keeping the interior tender and moist.
So for the traditional preparation of crab stuffed salmon, baking is certainly the way to go. However, feel free to experiment with different cooking techniques if you want to try something new!
Crab stuffed salmon makes an elegant entree for holidays, date nights, or anytime you want to indulge in sweet, succulent seafood. With the proper baking time of around 18-22 minutes, you’ll have tender, flaky salmon encasing a rich crab filling. Just follow these tips for perfectly cooked crab stuffed salmon every time!
Is Eating Salmon Good for You?
Yes! Salmon is generally considered a very healthy food, thanks to the generous amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents), B-vitamins, potassium, selenium, and protein! Typically, wild-caught salmon from clean waters are the most nutritious, but farmed salmon can be very good as well. (Source: Healthline)
The Ingredients You’ll Need
There are a few things you’ll need in the pantry along with salmon fillets and crab meat to make this stuffed salmon recipe. Here’s the list! (Note: you can find the full recipe card at the bottom of this post. ).
- Salmon: You’ll need four salmon fillets. Skin-on is fine. At times, I like to use sockeye salmon, too.
- Black pepper and salt are used to season the fish and bring out all of its flavors.
- Crab Meat: You can use whatever crab meat you like. Drain it well, and finely chop it.
- Cottage Cheese: Melt half a block of cream cheese so it’s easy to mix with the rest of the stuffing ingredients.
- Bell Pepper: A small amount of finely diced red, green, or yellow bell pepper will go amazingly well with the crab and cream cheese.
- Garlic: Mince or press the garlic cloves.
- Egg: Egg helps to bind the stuffing mixture together.
- Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley makes the dish taste fresh and looks nice on top.
- Old Bay Seasoning: This recipe for a classic seasoning blend is just right for seafood.
- Bread crumbs: Bread crumbs give the dish a little crunch.
- Cooking Spray: Putting cooking spray or oil on top of the stuffed fish before baking makes the top crispy.
Crab Stuffed Salmon Recipe | How To Make Crab Stuffed Salmon | Easy Crab Stuffed Salmon
FAQ
How long do you cook the stuffed salmon from Sam’s?
Do you bake salmon at 350 or 400?
What temperature and length of time to cook salmon?
How many calories are in Costco crab stuffed salmon?
How do you cook crab stuffed salmon?
Place each crab stuffed salmon filet onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake the salmon. Place in a preheated oven and cook until salmon reaches an internal temperature of 120F (medium-rare), about 15-18 minutes. You can broil at the end to get golden brown, if desired. Garnish, then serve.
Can You reheat crab stuffed salmon?
The best way to reheat crab stuffed salmon is in the oven. Reheat the salmon in the oven at 300°F for about 10-15 minutes until it is warmed throughout. It is definitely not recommended to microwave fish, as it will ruin the texture. Did you love this recipe? It would be AMAZING if you left a comment or rating and shared it on social media!
How do you cook stuffed salmon fillets?
You can cook the stuffed salmon fillets on a rimmed baking sheet or place them in a large roasting dish. This is incredibly easy to make! You’ll need a large bowl and a spatula. Combine room temperature cream cheese, creme fraiche, an egg, chopped garlic, parsley, and Old Bay, then stir until very well mixed.
How do you cook crab fillets in the oven?
Stuff the fillets. Give the stuffing a quick stir, then spoon the crab filling into each fillet, adding extra over the top of each piece. Sprinkle a bit more paprika for color, if desired. Bake and broil. Bake the salmon in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-18 minutes.