I am so ready to make salmon the star of the holiday table, and I have 20 gorgeous recipes to help you do exactly that. Tender, buttery salmon can go elegant, cozy, crispy, or creamy, and it always feels a little bit special. Let's find your new favorite Christmas dinner right here.

1. Crispy Garlic Parmesan Salmon

Decorate your salmon with a crispy garlic parmesan crust and call it a holiday dinner win. It's crispy, juicy, succulent, and tender all at the same time, which honestly feels unfair in the best way. And since it's a great way to make a lot of salmon, it's perfect for a big Christmas crowd. Everyone will be reaching for seconds.

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2. Christmas Salmon

Have you ever seen a seafood dinner this picture perfect? I mean, that sweet pomegranate molasses glaze makes the salmon absolutely glow. Fresh rosemary sprigs and pomegranate seeds sit on top like little holiday jewels. It looks like a masterpiece, but I promise it's ridiculously simple to pull together.

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3. Salmon with Pesto and Roasted Cauliflower

If you want a Christmas dinner that feels balanced but still totally cozy and flavorful, this plate checks every single box. Flaky salmon sits right on top of roasted cauliflower mixed with farro, which is a warm and hearty little bed. Spoon some pesto over everything and suddenly it's elegant. And get this, it only takes five ingredients.

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4. Creamy Salmon Pasta

If you make just one thing this Christmas, this festive salmon pasta might need to be it. Linguine, spinach, and tender salmon filets make it a complete meal all on their own. Then you go ahead and drape the whole thing in a creamy, zesty white wine sauce and it becomes extravagant. It's the kind of dinner that makes everyone lean in a little closer.

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5. Quick-Cured Lingonberry Salmon

Is there anything more Christmassy than lingonberries? I really don't think so. They're tart, a little acidic, and just slightly sweet, which makes them the most perfect partner for buttery salmon. This main course looks absolutely lovely on the table with bright red berries and a hint of green from fresh herbs. And yes, it tastes just as good as it looks.

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6. Salmon en Croûte with Dill Sauce (Easy Salmon Wellington)

If you want to really impress your people, this elegant salmon en croûte is the move. Think beef Wellington, but with flaky, juicy salmon wrapped in buttery puff pastry. There's a gorgeous spinach filling tucked in there too, all earthy and tender. And that fragrant dill sauce? It takes every single bite right over the top.

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7. 7 Layer Smoked Salmon Dip

Looking for a holiday appetizer that will actually be the life of the party? This 7 layer smoked salmon dip is it. Smokey salmon, dill cream cheese, hearty veggies, and goat cheese all stack up into something incredible. Put it out with fresh herbs and crusty bread and just watch it disappear. People go wild for this one.

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8. Cranberry Sauce Baked Salmon

Cranberries are still in season, so this is the perfect time to bust out this dish. You take freshly made cranberry sauce, spread it right over the top of the salmon, and bake. Toss some Brussels sprouts on the side and boom, you've checked a green veggie side off your list too. It's festive, easy, and so delicious.

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9. Winter Citrus Butter Salmon

This winter citrus butter salmon is the prettiest thing at the party, hands down. But lucky for us, it's way more than just a pretty face. Blood oranges bring this fragrant, floral, bold citrus flavor to the salmon. Then it gets brushed with herbal butter and topped with a winter citrus salsa. It looks complicated, but everything comes together in just 30 minutes.

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10. Beetroot-Cured Salmon

Oh my goodness, this one is a total showstopper with that gorgeous glowing color. The subtle beet flavor is there, but it just makes the salmon shine even brighter. You get to pick your adventure when it comes to curing, vodka or gin, and if you want things a little gentler, reach for the gin. Your guests will not stop talking about it.

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11. Pistachio-Crusted Salmon

Everything about this salmon feels like the holiday season on a plate. That vibrant green pistachio crust is nutty, crunchy, and so beautiful against the buttery fish. There's a delicate little hint of citrus in there that lifts all those rich, hearty flavors. It's crispy, buttery, and completely irresistible.

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12. Easy Salmon Terrine

Salmon terrine sounds super fancy and complicated, but this recipe keeps things so much easier. Bright herbs and a little kiss of cayenne bring fresh flavor and gentle heat. Smoked salmon adds this delicate, lovely smokiness that makes it feel extra special. It bakes up in just 25 minutes, which is honestly amazing.

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13. Seared Salmon with Parsley Sauce

If you want a special salmon dinner without a ton of work, this one is calling your name. That creamy English parsley sauce feels fancy but comes together with ingredients you probably already have. Butter, milk, mustard, and fresh parsley do all the heavy lifting here. It's easy, cozy, and so yummy.

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14. Marinated Salmon

What's the weather doing for your Christmas? If it's sunny, fire up that grill and make this marinated salmon. You whisk together a sweet, garlicky, and umami packed marinade and let those gorgeous filets soak it all up. When the grill is hot, toss them on for about 5 minutes on each side. Easy and so flavorful.

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15. Christmas Baked Salmon

This salmon is completely dressed up and ready for its holiday closeup. A sweet honey butter glaze and a creamy dill sauce make it taste as festive as it looks. Then it gets topped with the trimmings, including a holiday tapenade packed with cranberries, almonds, and parsley. Lemon juice and pomegranate seeds finish the whole beautiful thing off.

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16. Orange Maple Glazed Salmon

This one is deceptively easy and so mouthwatering. Tender salmon gets coated in a sticky orange maple glaze that explodes with sweet citrus flavor. Maple and orange pair so perfectly with buttery fish, I honestly cannot get enough. And it all happens in just 25 minutes, which feels like a little dinner miracle.

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17. Smoked Salmon Blinis

Smoked salmon blinis are the ultimate party bite, I am fully convinced. They're simple, elegant, and absolutely brimming with flavor. Homemade blinis stay light and pillowy, making them the perfect little vehicle for smoked salmon and creme fraiche. Top them with fresh herbs and prepare for them to vanish in the blink of an eye.

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18. Everything Smoked Salmon Tart

Need something impressive for Christmas breakfast or brunch? I've got you covered with this smoked salmon tart. Frozen puff pastry makes the base so easy you'll feel like you're cheating, in the best way. Just layer on whipped cream cheese, smoked salmon, and quick pickled onions for color. It's simple, beautiful, and totally delicious.

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19. Baked Pesto Salmon

There are so many reasons this is one of my favorite salmon recipes ever. One bite and you'll want salmon for Christmas dinner every single year, I promise. You only need four ingredients, which feels like pure magic. Fragrant pesto and buttery salmon are a total flavor powerhouse, and honestly you'll want to make it all year long.

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20. Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce

Imagine baked salmon tucked under a garlicky, creamy sauce and tell me that doesn't sound perfect. It's decadent and cozy, the kind of dinner everyone gathers around happily. Compared to a big Christmas roast or ham, this takes barely any effort at all. You get all the wow with almost none of the work.

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