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.
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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.
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.
- 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon recipe features perfectly pan-fried salmon fillets coated in a luscious garlic butter sauce enriched with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. The easy stovetop method creates a rich, flavorful dinner in just 20 minutes that's perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (5-8 oz each)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Sauce
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine (optional)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season salmon: Season both sides of the salmon fillets generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Pan-fry salmon: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add salmon fillets and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Drain excess oil, leaving a little for garlic sautéing.
- Spoon butter over salmon: Melt butter in the pan, tilt the pan, and spoon the melted butter generously over the salmon fillets to infuse rich flavor.
- Remove salmon: Take the salmon out of the pan and set aside temporarily to prepare the sauce.
- Sauté garlic: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add white wine (optional): Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes or until it evaporates to deglaze the pan.
- Add liquids and cream: Reduce heat to medium-low and add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine.
- Melt cheese and season: Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted into the sauce. Season with chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to your taste.
- Simmer sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Return salmon to pan: Place the salmon back into the pan and simmer for a few more minutes until heated through and coated with sauce.
- Serve: Spoon extra sauce over each salmon fillet, garnish with additional parsley, and serve hot for a creamy, savory meal.
Notes
- Herbs: Substitute fresh parsley with thyme or dill for a different herbal note.
- Flavor boost: Sauté diced shallots or onions with the garlic, or season salmon with garlic and onion powder before cooking for deeper flavor.
- Zesty twist: Add capers to the cream sauce or lemon slices while simmering. Marinate salmon in lemon juice for 15-30 minutes or drizzle lemon juice over before serving for brightness.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Extra greens: Stir baby spinach into the cream sauce for added nutrition and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg

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