Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Introduction

This creamy garlic butter salmon recipe is a delicious and elegant meal that comes together quickly. Rich, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, it’s ideal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The luscious sauce pairs beautifully with tender salmon fillets for a satisfying dining experience.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or chopped fresh thyme
• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat salmon dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon fillets skin-side down first (if using) for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove salmon from the pan and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it brown.
3. Step 3: Stir in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Then add the heavy cream, grated parmesan, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Return the salmon fillets to the pan, spooning the sauce over each piece. Simmer together for 2–3 minutes to warm through. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• Add spinach or baby kale to the sauce for a creamy Florentine twist.
• Swap heavy cream for coconut cream to make a dairy-free version.
• Toss in sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
• If you don’t have salmon, this recipe works well with shrimp or chicken breast too.

Storage

Store leftover salmon and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking the fish. If the sauce thickens too much when cold, add a splash of cream or broth to loosen it while reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to fully thaw the salmon and pat it dry before cooking to ensure a good sear and prevent steaming.

What can I serve with creamy garlic butter salmon?

This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 85 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon recipe features perfectly seared salmon fillets bathed in a rich garlic butter sauce infused with parmesan, lemon, and Italian herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a deliciously comforting yet elegant meal ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Garlic Butter Sauce

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or chopped fresh thyme

Garnish

• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Sear the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down if using skin-on, and sear for 4 to 5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden. Flip the fillets carefully and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
2. Start the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
3. Make It Creamy: Pour in ½ cup of chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a whisk or wooden spoon to lift the flavorful browned bits. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, juice of ½ lemon, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or fresh thyme. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes velvety.
4. Bring It All Together: Return the cooked salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning the creamy garlic butter sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes so the salmon absorbs the flavors and the sauce coats it beautifully. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil before serving immediately.

Notes

• For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit parmesan cheese.
• Add fresh spinach or baby kale along with the cream for a creamy Florentine-style twist.
• Try incorporating sun-dried tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms to add extra texture and flavor.
• If you don’t have salmon, this sauce pairs wonderfully with shrimp or chicken breast fillets.
• Use a fish spatula or tongs for easy flipping of salmon without breaking the fillets.

Keywords: Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon, Salmon Recipe, Garlic Butter Sauce, Easy Salmon Dinner, Creamy Salmon, Quick Seafood Recipe