If you’re craving something rich and indulgent yet surprisingly simple, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is going to become your new weeknight favorite. It combines tender, flaky salmon with a luscious garlicky cream sauce that feels like a little celebration on your plate.

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon - A close-up view of two cooked salmon fillets with a crispy golden-brown surface, lying flat in a white creamy sauce inside a pan. The sauce is being poured over the fillet from a spoon above, showing a smooth, thick texture with green herbs scattered throughout. Small chopped green parsley leaves and black pepper bits are sprinkled over the salmon and the sauce, adding color contrast. The background shows the dark edge of the pan, and the base beneath the pan is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe countless times because it’s quick, forgiving, and tastes like you spent hours in a fancy kitchen. Plus, it turns simple ingredients into a spectacular dish that feels both comforting and elegant.

Perfectly balanced flavors: The creamy butter sauce with garlic and Parmesan complements the salmon beautifully without overpowering it.
Fast and fuss-free: From pan to plate in about 20 minutes, making it ideal for a busy weeknight or last-minute dinner guests.
Adaptable and customizable: You can easily add herbs, spices, or veggies to suit your taste or pantry stock.
Impressive but approachable: It looks and tastes like you made an effort, even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen.

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon - A white plate holds three sections of food arranged side by side: a mound of smooth, white mashed potatoes with black pepper sprinkled on top on the left, a cluster of bright green steamed broccolini with a slight shine and crisp texture at the top, and a golden-brown grilled salmon fillet on the right, topped with a creamy white herb sauce sprinkled with small green parsley pieces. A silver fork rests partly on the salmon and mashed potatoes. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, with a woman's hand holding the fork. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in the Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe plays a role in bringing out deep flavor without a complicated prep. Picking fresh salmon and quality butter really makes a difference when you’re working with so few components.

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon - Flat lay of fresh pink salmon fillets with their smooth, slightly shiny surface, scattered bright green chopped parsley leaves, whole garlic cloves with their papery white skins and creamy texture, rich golden butter blocks melting slightly at the edges, wedges of lemon with juicy yellow pulp and shiny rinds, a small pile of grated Parmesan cheese with its fine, crumbly texture, and a few sprigs of fresh thyme with tiny green leaves, all beautifully arranged with natural spacing and gentle overlapping, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Salmon fillets: Choose fresh, thick fillets with skin removed for quick, even cooking and a tender finish.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning that enhances the salmon’s natural flavor.
Olive oil: Helps with searing the fish to a golden crust before adding butter for richness.
Butter: Key for that silky, decadent sauce and spooning over the salmon for extra moisture.
Garlic, minced: Adds fragrant depth; cook it just until fragrant to avoid bitterness.
Dry white wine (optional): Adds acidity and complexity; you can skip or substitute with extra broth if you prefer.
Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the sauce, grounding the cream and wine flavors.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy without thinning it too much.
Parmesan cheese, grated: Brings umami and a subtle nutty note that melds perfectly into the sauce.
Fresh parsley, chopped: Adds bright color and a fresh finish that cuts through the richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing up this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe depending on what’s fresh or what mood I’m in. You can easily tweak the herbs, add a little heat, or sneak in veggies to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Variation – Lemon zest & capers: Adding capers and a squeeze of lemon brightens the dish beautifully; I sometimes sprinkle lemon zest right before serving for that extra zing.
Dietary tweak – Dairy-free: Swap heavy cream for coconut cream and Parmesan for nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version that’s surprisingly close.
Vegetable boost: Stir in baby spinach or sautéed mushrooms into the cream sauce for a heartier meal that still feels light.
Spice lovers: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika gives this recipe a fun kick I can’t resist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Step 1: Season and sear

Start by patting your salmon fillets dry and seasoning both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the salmon in the pan and cook undisturbed until golden and crisp on the bottom—usually about 4 minutes, though it depends on the thickness. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until just cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan—work in batches if needed!

Step 2: Butter basting magic

Once you've flipped the salmon, add butter to the skillet. Tip the pan slightly toward you and use a spoon to scoop up melted butter and drizzle it over the salmon repeatedly. This step adds incredible moisture, flavor, and a glossy finish. Try not to rush this — it's the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 3: Make the creamy garlic sauce

Remove the cooked salmon and set aside on a plate. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant—about 30 seconds to keep it from burning. If you’re using white wine, pour it in now and let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it reduces slightly. This step really lifts the sauce’s flavor!

Lower the heat to medium-low, then add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and keep cooking gently until the sauce thickens—about 2-3 minutes. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.

Step 4: Finish & serve

Return the salmon to the pan and let it warm in the sauce for a couple of minutes. Spoon plenty of sauce over each fillet, sprinkle with more parsley if you like, then serve right away. The sauce clings beautifully, making each bite rich but balanced.

Top Tip

After making this recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few small things make a huge difference in nailing that creamy garlic butter sauce and perfectly cooked salmon every time.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each salmon fillet enough space to sear properly, or you’ll end up steaming the fish instead of getting that lovely golden crust.
Butter basting: Spoon melted butter continuously over the salmon while searing for unbeatable richness and moistness—don’t skip this step!
Control the garlic timing: Sauté garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness—under 30 seconds is ideal.
Taste and season slowly: The Parmesan adds saltiness, so adjust seasoning after it’s melted into the sauce to avoid over-salting.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top the salmon with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for color and a fresh bite. Sometimes I add a twist of lemon zest or a few capers on top—both add a bright contrast to the rich sauce that I find irresistible.

Side Dishes

This salmon pairs really well with light sides like garlic roasted asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. If I’m feeling cozy, I’ll serve it over buttery pasta or rice to soak up every bit of that sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve plated the salmon atop a bed of sautéed spinach or nestled it into a mound of risotto, then drizzled the cream sauce artistically around for a restaurant-worthy look. Garnishing with edible flowers or microgreens can also add a lovely touch if you’re entertaining.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover salmon and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keeping the sauce separate prevents the salmon from getting soggy, so you maintain that lovely texture when reheating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish before, but because of the cream sauce, I recommend freezing the salmon alone and making the sauce fresh when you thaw it. Cream-based sauces can sometimes separate after freezing, which affects texture and flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the salmon in a pan or microwave on low heat to avoid drying it out. Reheat the cream sauce separately over low heat, stirring frequently to bring it back together, then drizzle over the fish before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes! Frozen salmon works well if it’s properly thawed and patted dry before cooking to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve a nice sear and prevents steaming.

What can I substitute for white wine in the sauce?

If you prefer not to use wine, simply omit it and increase the chicken broth by the same amount. You can also try a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for acidity.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! All the ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Just double-check your chicken broth and Parmesan to ensure they don’t contain any gluten additives.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked perfectly?

Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork and the flesh is opaque throughout. Depending on thickness, this typically takes about 4 minutes per side over medium-high heat. Avoid overcooking to keep it moist and tender.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is one of those dishes I always recommend to friends who want a quick but impressive meal. It’s cozy, comforting, and versatile – plus, it makes you look like you’ve got serious chef skills without spending hours in the kitchen. I hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do. Don’t forget to play around with those herbs and extras to make it your own special dinner treat!