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Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://nataliereeve.com/creamy-garlic-butter-salmon-recipe/