This dish is so simple to prepare and it leaves you with a depth of bright flavor and a deliciously moist and succulent piece of salmon.
I am so thankful and often shocked that my kiddies love salmon. It happens to be one of my favorite fish and I could eat it all the time.
Salmon is easy to prepare, so delicious, and so versatile.
I also absolutely love the flavor of fennel. The essence of it is reminiscent of licorice but ironically, I can’t stand candy licorice. That’s odd, right?
Once I thinly slice the leeks and fennel, I simply toss it with olive oil, salt, pepper, some of the chopped fronds and fragrant fresh thyme. 
I’m happy preparing salmon many different ways. I roast, grill, smoke…but for this dish, I decided to crisp one side before baking it. So good!
Crisping one side of the salmon in a cast iron pan and then finishing it in the oven over the bed of roasted leeks and fennel makes it so heavenly. 
The fennel remains slightly crunchy and has just enough sweetness to compliment the delicate onion flavor of the leeks. 
A simple side dish is all you need here. The kiddies requested couscous though The Boy was pretty annoyed with my parsley garnish. Sorry bud. Your mama can’t help it. 
What is your favorite way to make salmon?
- olive oil
- 2-3 fennel bulbs sliced, including the fronds for garnish
- 3-4 large leeks thinly sliced
- salt and pepper
- 4-6 salmon fillets
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Parsley for garnish
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Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.
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Cut off the stems and fronds from the fennel bulbs.
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Chop the fronds and reserve some for garnish.
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Cut each fennel bulb in half lengthwise and remove the tough core.
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Cut the bulbs crosswise into thin slices.
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Slice the leeks into thin pieces, including a small portion of the green parts.
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Rinse to remove any sand or dirt.
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Scatter the sliced leeks and the sliced fennel bulbs evenly in a baking dish.
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Lightly season with salt, pepper, and the chopped thyme and drizzle with olive oil.
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Toss to coat evenly and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes while you prepare the salmon.
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Heat a cast iron pan with oil at medium-high heat.
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Season the salmon with salt and pepper and sear for 5 minutes on one side until a crispy layer has formed.
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Place the salmon on top of the fennel and leeks and cook until opaque and the vegetables are browned and tender.
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Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the fish and vegetables.
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Garnish with the reserved fennel fronds and serve immediately.
I love fennel especially when it is roasted, looks delicious and like a quick and easy meal!
I’ll admit, I have no idea how to cook fish. Chicken yes. Beef yes. Fish no. This recipe looks simple and makes a nice portion. I may give it a go. Love the pictures and the crispy description sounds fabulous.
I understand! It used to be intimidating for me but I’ve tried different techniques and I’ve learned when to tell it’s perfectly cooked for my tastes! Hope you go for it and enjoy it!
Omg, this looks delicious! I definitely need to try it. 🙂 Pinned for later!
Thank you, Tami!
This looks so good!!! My family would go crazy for this meal!
I love a good salmon recipe! It gets so boring making it the same way over and over again.
I agree! This is definitely a different flavor profile with those leeks and fennel.
I’m always on the lookout for new salmon recipes, and this one sounds delicious! We try to eat fish once or twice a week now, I’ll definitely be giving this a try, though I’ve never cooked with fennel.
It pairs so nicely with the salmon! Hope you enjoy it!
I love salmon, too. But how have I lived my life till now and never had fennel and leeks? (And I love black licorice!) Pinned this to try it.
I get it! But I bet once you try them, you’ll be adding them to other dishes!
I am always intimidated about making fish… For some reason it always seems very difficult to me. You’ve convinced me to give it a try. You make it look so easy! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Thank you, Paula, for your kind words!!!
I LOVE salmon and this looks like an amazing recipe! Definitely going to try it soon!
Hope you love it!
Oh, I love salmon, but I always make it the same way each time we have it for dinner. I bookmarked this for next time. I think it will be a hit with my husband- we love fennel!
I get in that salmon rut too sometimes. A fresh twist like this is so welcoming! Hope you and your hubby love it!
This looks so good! I love crispy salmon.
Saving this to my collection of salmon recipes right now. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I am allergic to salmon, BUT my husband loves it! Thanks for sharing!
I’m just starting to get more into Salmon and can’t wait to try this out!
I might have to give this a try. Leeks and fennel with salmon sound interesting.
I haven’t cooked many recipes with fennel or leeks so I am looking forward to this! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
This looks so incredible, easy and healthy! Love salmon and leeks but have never put them together.
Healthy, yes! And definitely a very easy meal full of bright flavor.
This just sounds and looks divine! For some reason, I am always afraid to cook salmon but after reading this, I’m going to try it!
Thanks, Shannon! It’s easy to throw together and the salmon stays moist on top of the leeks and fennel. Enjoy!