How to Make Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner With One Piece of Salmon
We’re all about ingredients that stretch your dollar and your creativity—without skimping on flavor. And right now, we’re obsessed with Aldi’s Atlantic salmon fillet. Why? Because one 3-pound side (under $25!) can fuel your entire day with zero boredom.
"Buying the whole side is the move," says Senior Culinary Producer Nicole McLaughlin. She took one fillet and turned it into three killer meals: a creamy breakfast spread, crispy lunch burgers, and a showstopping dinner. Here’s how to pull it off.
How to Prep the Salmon Like a Pro
First, free the fish from its packaging and chop off the tip—that’s your starting point. Slide your hand under the skin to peel it off cleanly (no fancy knife skills required). Since the star of dinner—Salmon Wellington—needs the thickest center cut, Nicole trims the sides and uneven bits for the other two meals. Waste not, want not!
Breakfast: Salmon Cream Cheese (Bagel’s BFF)
Forget sad, store-bought schmear. Nicole’s 5-ingredient salmon cream cheese is fluffy, herby, and packed with briny capers and lemon zest. Just mix flaked cooked salmon with whipped cream cheese, fresh dill, and a squeeze of citrus. Spread it on a toasted everything bagel, or use it as a dip for cucumber slices if you’re feeling ~fancy~.
Pro tip: Make this the night before—the flavors get even better as they mingle.
Lunch: Crispy Salmon Burgers (No Grandma Vibes Here)
"These aren’t your grandma’s croquettes," Nicole promises. Her salmon burgers are light, crispy, and way easier than tracking down fresh crab. Flaked salmon binds with panko, mayo, and a hit of Old Bay, then pan-fried until golden. Serve ’em on buns with tartar sauce or atop a salad for a low-carb win.
Bonus: Freeze extra patties for future lazy lunches.
Dinner: Salmon Wellington (Fancy, But Foolproof)
This is the kind of dish that’ll make your dinner guests think you secretly trained under Gordon Ramsay. But surprise—it’s shockingly simple. A center-cut salmon fillet gets topped with garlicky spinach and melty Gruyère, then wrapped in buttery puff pastry. Bake until golden, slice dramatically, and prepare for applause.
No-fail trick: Brush the pastry with egg wash for that glossy, bakery-worthy finish.
The Bottom Line
One salmon fillet = three meals that don’t taste like leftovers. Whether you’re meal-prepping or just tired of deciding what to cook, this trio proves that a little creativity (and one Aldi run) can go a long way. Now go forth and make that fish work for you!
