Salmon with Fennel

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Very Healthy
Health score
100%
Salmon with Fennel
75 min.
15
511kcal

Suggestions

If you’re looking for a dish that feels both elegant and nourishing, this Salmon with Fennel is a true showstopper. Perfect for a large gathering, it serves up to 15 people and brings together fresh salmon with the aromatic sweetness of fennel and onions, balanced by the brightness of orange zest and juice. The result is a main course that’s not only bursting with flavor but also impressively healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

What makes this recipe special is the way the salmon is butterflied and stuffed with a fragrant fennel filling, then tied and roasted to perfection. The combination of tender fish and caramelized vegetables creates a harmony of textures and tastes that feels both rustic and refined. With a health score of 100 and a balanced caloric breakdown rich in protein, it’s a dish that satisfies without compromise.

Whether you serve it hot from the oven or at room temperature, this salmon is versatile enough for lunch or dinner. It’s the kind of recipe that invites conversation around the table, impresses guests with its presentation, and delights with every bite. If you’re planning ahead, the filling can be prepared in advance, making it a stress-free option for entertaining. This is more than just a meal—it’s a centerpiece for memorable gatherings.

Ingredients

  • teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
  • tablespoons fennel fronds coarsely chopped
  • pounds fennel bulbs sliced
  • tablespoons thyme leaves fresh coarsely chopped
  • teaspoons kosher salt 
  • 0.5 cup olive oil good
  • tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
  •  orange zest 
  • 10 pound salmon fresh
  • pounds onions yellow sliced

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • baking paper
  • oven
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • kitchen twine

Directions

  1. Have the fishmonger cut the head and tail off the salmon and butterfly it, removing all the bones. You should have about 7 pounds of salmon.
  2. Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
  3. Saute the onions and fennel in the olive oil for 10 minutes on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the thyme leaves, fennel fronds, orange zest, orange juice, salt, and pepper and saute for 5 more minutes, until the onions and fennel are tender. Taste for salt and pepper.
  5. Lay the salmon, skin side down, on a cutting board and sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  6. Spread the fennel filling over half of the salmon. Pull the other half up and over the filling, enclosing it. Tie the salmon every 2 inches with kitchen string to secure the stuffing.
  7. Place a sheet pan lined with parchment paper in the oven for 5 minutes to heat it. Carefully transfer the salmon to the hot sheet pan and bake it for exactly 30 minutes (10 minutes for each 1-inch of thickness). Do not overbake!
  8. Allow to cool slightly, then remove the strings. To serve, cut into thick slices with a very sharp knife. This salmon is delicious hot or at room temperature.
  9. Note: If you're making this in advance, be sure to cool the filling before stuffing the salmon. Refrigerate until ready to roast.

Nutrition Facts

Calories511kcal
Protein49.64%
Fat37.53%
Carbs12.83%

Properties

Glycemic Index
16.4
Glycemic Load
3.83
Inflammation Score
-9
Nutrition Score
42.673478686291%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
1mg
Hesperetin
0.27mg
Naringenin
0.05mg
Apigenin
0.05mg
Luteolin
0.66mg
Isorhamnetin
4.55mg
Kaempferol
0.59mg
Myricetin
0.03mg
Quercetin
18.63mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:510.7kcal
25.53%
Fat:20.92g
32.19%
Saturated Fat:3.3g
20.6%
Carbohydrates:16.1g
5.37%
Net Carbohydrates:11.37g
4.13%
Sugar:7.68g
8.53%
Cholesterol:166.32mg
55.44%
Sodium:495.17mg
21.53%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:62.26g
124.52%
Vitamin B12:9.62µg
160.27%
Selenium:111.49µg
159.28%
Vitamin B6:2.63mg
131.68%
Vitamin B3:24.51mg
122.55%
Vitamin B2:1.21mg
71.26%
Phosphorus:679.69mg
67.97%
Potassium:2014.53mg
57.56%
Vitamin K:59.66µg
56.82%
Vitamin B5:5.37mg
53.74%
Vitamin B1:0.74mg
49.22%
Copper:0.86mg
43.2%
Folate:119.43µg
29.86%
Magnesium:115.43mg
28.86%
Vitamin C:22.3mg
27.03%
Iron:3.57mg
19.81%
Manganese:0.38mg
19.23%
Fiber:4.73g
18.94%
Zinc:2.31mg
15.37%
Calcium:110.58mg
11.06%
Vitamin A:322.11IU
6.44%
Vitamin E:0.77mg
5.12%