Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon with Olive Tapenade

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with our tantalizing recipe for Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon with Mixed Olive Tapenade. This wild sockeye or king salmon with olive tapenade is an effortless but impressive dish you can cook in only 20 minutes! You only need a large wild sockeye salmon fillet, healthy Mediterranean toppings (delicious!), and a sheet pan.

Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon with Green Olive Tapenade

I paired the sockeye salmon fillet with an olive tapenade for an exciting twist. I made a beautiful olive tapenade that made the fish fancy. This Mediterranean style salmon is delicious and fancy.

Olives are some of my favorite foods nowadays, even though that wasn’t the case in the past! Olives are a staple in the Mediterranean diet and are added to many dishesh.

The traditional tapenade is a dish that originated in the south of France. It is made with simple ingredients such as capers and olives. I can’t get enough of the capers! I add them to so many dishes because they add so much flavor. 

The real star of this salmon dish is the mixed olive tapenade. No offense to the salmon, which is divine, as always. But, honestly, this tapenade is positively addictive, adding salty, briny shine and a great crunchy addition to the buttery salmon. I recommend making a double batch of the tapenade. You will have extra to spread on a slice of bread or crackers or swipe a celery stick through. Not to mention that you might even find yourself eating it straight up from a bowl with a spoon. I’m speaking from experience! This healthy recipe bursts with flavors, and it is a terrific combination of flavors.

Why You Should Try This Mediterranean Recipe:

The Mediterranean Salmon with Olive Tapenade has an impressive nutritional profile. Let’s break it down for each ingredient:

  • Salmon contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids – they protect your brain and reduce inflammation. 
  • Selenium – Keep your bones strong and healthy, reduce the risk of thyroid antibodies to people suffering from autoimmune thyroid diseases, and reduce cancer risk. 
  • Olives contain healthy fats, which are essential for healthy hormones.

Ingredients For this Salmon Recipe

  1. Salmon Fillets: The star of the dish, salmon fillets are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and essential nutrients like vitamin D and selenium. Choose wild salmon such as sockeye or king.
  2. Mixed Olives: These briny gems add flavor and texture to the dish. Whether it’s green olives, black olives, Kalamata olives, or a combination of varieties, mixed olives contribute a salty and tangy punch that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the salmon. Pitted olives are recommended for convenience.
  3. Garlic: A staple in Mediterranean cooking, garlic infuses the tapenade with its pungent aroma and sharp flavor. 
  4. Capers: These tiny, pickled flower buds pack a powerful punch of flavor. Tangy and slightly briny, capers contribute a unique and zesty element to the tapenade, balancing the richness of the salmon and olives.
  5. Fresh Parsley: Bright and herbaceous, fresh parsley adds color and freshness to the dish. 
  6. Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright and citrusy note to the tapenade. The acidity of the lemon juice cuts through the richness of the salmon and tapenade, balancing the dish and imparting a refreshing zest.
  7. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine, extra virgin olive oil serves as a cooking medium and contributes its distinctive fruity flavor and richness to the dish. It binds the tapenade ingredients together, creating a luscious and cohesive mixture.
  8. Salt and Black Pepper: These pantry staples are used to season the salmon fillets and the tapenade, enhancing their natural flavors and ensuring a well-balanced taste profile. 

How to Make Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon with Olive Tapenade

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your salmon cooks evenly and develops a crispy exterior while remaining tender and moist.
  2. Prepare the Tapenade: In a food processor, combine the mixed olives, garlic, capers, parsley, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil. Pulse until the mixture forms a coarse paste. 
  3. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Season both sides of the fillets with salt and pepper. Place salmon on parchment paper on a baking sheet.
  4. Top with Tapenade: Spread a generous spoonful of the mixed olive tapenade over each salmon fillet, ensuring the surface is evenly coated. 
  5. Roast in the Oven: Place the seasoned and tapenade-topped salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook the salmon, as it can become dry and lose its delicate texture.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Garnish with additional fresh parsley, feta cheese, chopped bell pepper, lemon wedges, and a drizzle of lemon juice for a burst of freshness.

Tips For Making Salmon with Olive Tapenade

  • If you cook salmon longer than 20 minutes, it will be overcooked.
  • If you make this recipe with a smaller fish fillet, reduce the cooking time to 15 minutes. 
  • You can also use other fish, such as seabass or halibut, which will be as delicious.
  • Remember that salmon fillet is thick, so if you use a different fish for this recipe, you might need to adjust the baking time to ensure the dish is still moist.
  • Best to find a fish in a local fish market if there is one in your town. But the local grocery store with fresh fish will do, too.

Equipment For the Mediterranean Style Salmon

  1. Oven: A conventional oven is necessary to roast the salmon fillets to perfection at a temperature of 400°F (200°C). You can also make grilled salmon instead.
  2. Baking Sheet: A baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil provides a surface for roasting the salmon fillets without sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
  3. Food Processor: This kitchen appliance is essential for preparing the mixed olive tapenade. 
  4. Paper Towels: These are used to pat the salmon fillets dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture ensures the salmon roasts evenly and develops a crispy exterior.
  5. Chef’s Knife
  6. Cutting Board
  7. Small Bowl
  8. Measuring Spoons
  9. Spatula or Tongs: These utensils are handy for flipping and transferring the salmon fillets while they roast in the oven.

How to Storage It

Once prepared, Roasted Mediterranean Salmon with Mixed Olive Tapenade can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 

It’s best to store the salmon and tapenade separately to maintain its freshness and flavor. When ready to enjoy leftovers, simply reheat the salmon in the oven or microwave until warmed, and spoon the tapenade over the top.

This Mediterranean fish recipe is more than just a meal – it celebrates the vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients that define Mediterranean cuisine. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or simply craving a nutritious and delicious meal, this recipe will surely delight your taste buds and nourish your body and soul. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean. Buon Appetito!

More Mediterranean Recipes

The Best Authentic Gazpacho Recipe

Healthy Baked Chicken with Creamy Cashews Sauce

Green Olive Tapenade Recipe

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Easy Baked Mediterranean Salmon with Olive Tapenade

Easy Baked Salmon Olive Tapenade Recipe

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with our tantalizing recipe for Roasted Mediterranean Salmon with Mixed Olive Tapenade. 
A wild sockeye or king salmon with olive tapenade is an effortless but impressive dish you can cook in only 20 minutes! You only need a large wild sockeye salmon fillet, healthy Mediterranean toppings (delicious!), and a sheet pan.
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Course: Dinner, lunch
Cuisine: European, Gluten-free, Mediterranean, Paleo, whole30
Keyword: Olive tapenade, Salmon with olive tapenade
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 324kcal
Author: Angie

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces pitted green olives
  • 6 oz kalamata olives
  • 2 oz capers
  • 3 large garlic cloves
  • 2 tsp capers
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest finely grated
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • salt to taste

Salmon:

  • 16 oz salmon fillets pin bones removed
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil plus extra for garnish
  • 1/2 juice lemon
  • 4 lemon wedges for garnish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place all of the ingredients for tapenade in the food processor and process to a coarse paste, without letting it get mushy. (You can store the tapenade in the fridge for up to three days.)
  • Heat the oven to 350°F. Put salmon in one layer in a roasting pan, skin side down. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons oil and lemon juice. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven until the salmon is just cooked through the center, about 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets.
  • Transfer to serving and top the filet with tapenade. Serve with a lemon wedge.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 1134mg | Potassium: 598mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg
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