Seafood Stuffed Salmon with Garlic Honey Butter
Imported from Instagram
45 minMedium4 servings

Seafood Stuffed Salmon with Garlic Honey Butter

A whole side of salmon butterflied and stuffed with a rich crab and scallop mixture. Grilled on a cedar plank and finished with a sweet and savory garlic honey butter sauce.

Mise turned a cooking video on Instagram into this written step-by-step recipe — 15 ingredients, 6 steps, 45 min, with a generated photo for every step.

Time45min
LevelMedium
Servings4
Method 6 steps
01

Chop the chives and scallops. In a bowl, combine the jumbo lump crab meat, chopped chives, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic seasoning blend, and chopped scallops. Mix well to create the stuffing.

02

Slice down the middle of the salmon fillet, being careful not to cut all the way through, and butterfly each side outward to create a pocket for the stuffing.

03

Stuff the crab and scallop mixture generously into the butterflied salmon. Fold the edges of the salmon back up to contain the filling, then dust the outside with spicy garlic buffalo seasoning.

04

Place the stuffed salmon on a water-soaked cedar plank. Transfer to a preheated grill and cook until the salmon is flaky and the seafood stuffing is hot and bubbling.

05

While the salmon cooks, prepare the sauce. In a small pitcher or bowl, mix together melted butter, the squeezed juice of the lemon, minced garlic, honey, and finely chopped parsley.

06

Remove the salmon from the grill and generously pour the garlic honey butter over the top before serving.

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Notes

This showpiece salmon dish transforms a standard fillet into an architectural centerpiece by utilizing a deep butterfly cut to create a vessel for a briny, creamy seafood filling. The combination of scallops and lump crabmeat provides a contrast in texture against the flaky salmon, while the cedar plank infusion adds a woody smoke that balances the richness of the shellfish. It is a dense, high-protein meal suited for formal gatherings where presentation and depth of flavor are prioritized.

The success of this preparation hinges on the balance between the spicy exterior seasoning and the sweet honey-butter finish. Cooking on a water-soaked plank prevents the fish from drying out over direct flame, ensuring the stuffing reaches a safe temperature while the salmon remains moist. Expect a complex profile where the sharp mustard and Worcestershire notes in the filling cut through the decadent, garlic-scented glaze.

Before you start

  • When slicing the salmon for the pocket, maintain a quarter-inch base to ensure the weight of the seafood stuffing does not tear the bottom of the fillet.
  • Soak the cedar plank in water for at least two hours before grilling to ensure it smolders and provides flavor without catching fire during the cooking process.
  • The seafood stuffing is done when an instant-read thermometer reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring the raw chopped scallops are fully cooked and the crab is hot.
  • Wait to pour the garlic honey butter until the moment of service to prevent the crispy, seasoned salmon skin from becoming overly soggy during the resting phase.

Swaps that work

  • Substitute the 2 ounces of scallops with 2 ounces of minced cold-water shrimp for a firmer texture and a slightly sweeter flavor profile.
  • Replace the spicy garlic buffalo seasoning with an equal amount of smoked paprika and onion powder to remove the heat while maintaining a savory crust.
  • Use 0.5 tablespoons of maple syrup instead of honey for a woodier sweetness that complements the smokiness of the cedar plank more intensely.

Keeping it

This dish is best consumed immediately as the delicate texture of the crab and scallops degrades upon cooling. If necessary, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently in a 300 degree Fahrenheit oven covered with foil to retain moisture. Avoid the microwave, which toughens the salmon and makes the shellfish rubbery. Freezing is not recommended because it ruins the consistency of the mayonnaise-based filling.

Questions

Can I prepare the seafood stuffing a day in advance?

You can mix the crab, scallops, and binders up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store the mixture in the coldest part of your refrigerator in a sealed container. Do not stuff the salmon until you are ready to grill to prevent the fish from absorbing too much moisture.

How do I prevent the stuffing from falling out on the grill?

Ensure the scallops are chopped finely to act as a binder with the mayonnaise and mustard. When folding the salmon edges back up, use toothpicks soaked in water to pin the sides together if the pocket feels too loose. Remove the picks before pouring the honey butter sauce.

Is the spicy garlic buffalo seasoning too hot for sensitive palates?

The spice level is moderate because the honey and butter in the finishing sauce neutralize the heat. If you are very sensitive to spice, reduce the seasoning by half or ensure you use a mild garlic-herb blend instead. The interior stuffing remains mild regardless of the exterior seasoning used.

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