Healthy Creamy Leftover Salmon (Printable)

Flaky salmon in a creamy yogurt sauce with spinach and tomatoes — quick, nutritious, and satisfying.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Dairy

01 - 2 cups cooked salmon, flaked, skin and bones removed
02 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or reduced-fat crème fraîche
03 - 1/4 cup light cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Broth & Seasoning

08 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
10 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
11 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

→ To Serve

14 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
15 - Cooked quinoa, rice, or whole-grain pasta (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of oil or a small amount of broth, then sauté the sliced red onion and minced garlic for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
02 - Add the chopped baby spinach and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is just wilted and the tomatoes have softened.
03 - Pour in the broth and stir in the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt. Continue stirring over medium heat for about 2 minutes until a smooth, creamy sauce forms.
04 - Gently fold in the flaked salmon along with the chopped dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more until the salmon is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Serve hot, sprinkled with chopped chives. Spoon over cooked quinoa, rice, or whole-grain pasta if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns cold leftover fish into something so creamy and bright that nobody would guess it started as yesterdays dinner.
  • The Greek yogurt and cream cheese sauce feels indulgent but keeps everything light and protein packed.
02 -
  • Stir the salmon gently rather than vigorously or it will turn to mush and you will lose those nice chunky pieces.
  • Adding the yogurt off direct high heat prevents it from breaking and turning grainy in the sauce.
03 -
  • Let the cream cheese soften fully on the counter before cooking because cold cream cheese will leave you with lumpy sauce no matter how hard you stir.
  • A final squeeze of lemon right before serving brightens the whole dish and makes the flavors snap to attention.

Go Back