Lemon Dill Salmon Pinwheels
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Shake up your typical grilled, pan fried or steamed salmon dinner tonight with my Lemon Dill Salmon Pinwheels. You might say you’ve heard it before, but this 5 minute cook, 5 minute stand time has dinner done quicker than it takes to make the rice!
Salmon Pinwheels
First, this recipe is one my mom told me about and not only is it dear to me for that reason, but it’s super easy and done in no time. Heck, the steamed rice takes longer to cook! So here I go, and I’m sure some readers to this blog will be surprised, but we are going to be using the microwave to cook this in 5 minutes on medium and 5 minutes on standby. I’m not kidding, this is melt in your mouth deliciousness.
Instead of the usual grilled salmon like my Grilled & Glazed Wild Copper River Sockeye Salmon or  Grilled Salmon with Spicy Peach Sauce, last night we decided on preparing it a little different.
Any salmon works for this recipe, farmed Steelhead, Atlantic or Copper River.
Wanting something different, I decided to coil the salmon after cutting it into strips into the pinwheel shape.
Copper River Salmon
Copper River Salmon is back in season and if you are like me it’s time to stock up on it while the getting is good. This stuff is so delicious and goes away pretty quickly, it’s season really only lasts four weeks a year.
What’s the big deal?
You need to check it out, it’s firm red flesh has a rich and nutty flavor and is unlike any salmon you have ever had. It will definitely make you a convert and with a healthy store of natural oils and body fat it is rich in Omega-3 oils and has numerous health benefits.
I typically pick mine up at Costco. Grab a few and freeze for later!
How to make the salmon pinwheels
- Start off by removing the skin from the flesh if not already done. Slice the salmon lengthwise into one inch strips. Coil the strips and place in a microwave bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Season the salmon pinwheels with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.
- Top each pinwheel with some butter, lay a fresh lemon slice on top and sprinkle with freshly chopped dill. Squeeze the juice from another lemon over each.
- Cover with a lid that vents and microwave on medium heat for 5 minutes and when finished, allow to rest for another 5 minutes before opening the lid. The salmon continues to cook after you remove it from the microwave. This is standby cooking.
- Serve these Lemon Dill Salmon Pinwheels with steamed rice and either a salad or fresh vegetables, pouring the lemon, butter and dill sauce over all.
What’s the white stuff on cooked salmon?
It’s completely harmless! The white stuff that seeps out of salmon filets as they cook is coagulated protein, also known as albumin. Albumin is pushed out of the muscle fibers of salmon as it cooks, coagulating at the surface. Edible, not harmful. 🙂 Enjoy!
This recipe first appeared on Kevin Is Cooking June 2014 and has been updated with new photos and a video.
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Lemon Dill Salmon Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 2 lb salmon
- 2 lemons
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped dill
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- With a sharp knife, slice the skin away from the flesh of the salmon and discard.
- Slice the salmon lengthwise into 1 inch thick strips. Coil the salmon strips into pinwheels and place in a microwave safe bowl that has been coated with cooking spray.
- Squeeze the juice from one lemon and pour over the four salmon pinwheels. Sprinkle each with kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper.
- Top each salmon pinwheel with a tablespoon of butter, a slice of lemon and divide the chopped dill over each.
- Cover with a lid that vents and cook in microwave on medium heat for 5 minutes. Allow to continue to cook with lid on for another 5 minutes. This is termed standby cooking.
- Remove lid and serve, pouring butter, lemon, dill sauce over the salmon pinwheels and rice.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Super easy and with all the fantastic salmon lately from Costco I am in heaven with this one!
I have been making a lot of salmon lately! This is a great way to change it up!
I love salmon!
Genius idea, Kevin! These are so perfect for a dinner party or date night!
Been eating salmon like mad this past summer, so good!
What a perfect recipe for quick, easy, and nutritious dinner! I’m heading to Costco to see if I can still get some of that Copper River Salmon.
I hope it is still there. All gone at mine Sally!
Such a lovely dish perfect for entertaining! And you can’t go wrong with lemon and dill, if you ask me 🙂
Agreed Dawn, simple and tasty always works for me, too!