If you're craving a dish that's both indulgent and surprisingly simple, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is going to be your new go-to. With tender salmon bathed in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce, it’s one of those meals that feels fancy but comes together quickly—perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.

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 absolutely adore this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe because it feels luxurious without being complicated. From the first time I made it, the rich sauce combined with perfectly seared salmon blew me away—and I keep coming back to it for that comforting, satisfying hit.

Quick and Easy: You can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in about 20 minutes—yes, really!
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: Garlic, butter, cream, and Parmesan mingle to create a sauce that’s rich but never overwhelming.
Versatile & Customizable: You can tweak herbs, add a kick of heat, or freshen it up with lemon—it’s all up to you.
Impress Without Stress: Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a date night, this recipe always gets compliments.

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 this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe plays an important role, from the firm salmon fillets to the fragrant garlic and the Parmesan that melts into the sauce. Here's why each one is key and a few tips to help you shop smart.

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, evenly sized fillets for consistent cooking; wild-caught if possible for more flavor.
Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil helps get a nice sear on the salmon without overpowering flavors.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create that luscious sauce—don’t skimp here!
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is essential for that punch of aroma—avoid the pre-minced jars if you can.
Dry White Wine (Optional): Adds brightness and depth; if you skip this, just use a bit more chicken broth.
Chicken Broth: Balances the creaminess with a savory undertone—homemade or low sodium works best.
Heavy Cream: The star of the sauce, making it irresistibly creamy and comforting.
Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated for best melt and flavor, it thickens the sauce beautifully.
Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note 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

One of the joys of making this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. I like to switch things up depending on my mood or what I have in the fridge. Don’t be afraid to play around—you’ll end up with a version that feels like home.

Variation: I often add a handful of baby spinach into the cream sauce at the end for extra greens and a little color contrast—total game changer!
Heat It Up: Some evenings, I like to sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a subtle kick that pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce.
Lemon Love: Fresh lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice brightens the dish—I always add this step when serving to balance the richness.
Herb Swap: Sometimes dill or thyme replace parsley, and it gives the dish a different but equally delicious twist.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear the Salmon

Start by patting your salmon fillets dry with paper towels—this helps get a nice crust. Season both sides well with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When the oil shimmers, place the salmon skin-side up (or presentation side up) and cook for about 4 minutes per side. The goal is to get a golden-brown crust without overcooking inside. A tip I've learned is not to move the salmon too quickly; giving it time to set means less sticking.

Step 2: Make That Garlic Butter Sauce

Once the salmon is seared, reduce the heat to medium and pour off excess oil, leaving just a little for the sauce. Add butter to the pan and let it melt. Tilt the pan and use a spoon to baste the salmon generously with the melted butter—that extra step adds buttery depth to the fish. Next, remove the salmon to a plate and add minced garlic to the pan. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but don’t let it brown or it will turn bitter.

Step 3: Build Up the Cream Sauce

If you’re including the optional white wine, pour it in now and let it simmer for a couple of minutes until mostly evaporated—that gives the sauce a lovely acidity and complexity. Lower the heat to medium-low, add chicken broth followed by heavy cream, stirring as you go. Next, sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir until it's melted into a velvety sauce. Season with chopped fresh parsley, a pinch of salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce thicken for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Return the salmon fillets to the pan, spoon some sauce over the tops, and let everything simmer together gently for a couple more minutes—this warms the salmon through and melds the flavors. Serve immediately with plenty of that luscious sauce spooned on top. I like to garnish with a fresh sprinkle of parsley for a pop of color.

Top Tip

Having made this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe countless times, I’ve picked up a few tips to make it foolproof and even more delicious. Trust me, they’ll save you time and guarantee a flawless meal.

Dry Your Salmon Well: Moisture is the enemy of a good sear; pat your fillets as dry as you can with paper towels before seasoning.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the salmon in batches if necessary to get a golden crust without steaming.
Use Fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese can be processed with anti-caking agents that affect melting and flavor; fresh grated gives the best sauce texture.
Simmer Sauce Gently: Heating cream too high can cause curdling—keep it on medium-low and stir gently until thickened.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Garlic Butter Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with fresh parsley because it adds a bright, herbal note that balances the richness so well. For a bit of tang, I sometimes add lemon zest or a few capers on top. If I’m feeling fancy, a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil brings everything together beautifully.

Side Dishes

This salmon pairs perfectly with simple sides—I love serving it with garlic mashed potatoes or a fluffy quinoa salad. Roasted asparagus or sautéed green beans also work wonderfully to add some crunch and freshness against that creamy sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I’ve plated the salmon atop a bed of creamy risotto, drizzled the sauce artistically, and garnished with microgreens and thin lemon slices. It always feels like a special occasion without much extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, you can store the salmon and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I like to keep the sauce separate sometimes to preserve the best texture, but both ways work fine.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this one because the cream sauce can change texture when thawed, but if you must, freeze the salmon separately and make the sauce fresh when ready to serve.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the salmon and sauce over low heat on the stove, stirring the sauce occasionally. Avoid microwaving as it tends to separate cream sauces and can dry out the fish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking to get that perfect sear. Frozen salmon may release more moisture, so drying it well is key.

What wine is best for the sauce?

A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio works beautifully. If you don’t cook with wine, you can skip it and just use extra chicken broth instead.

Can I make the sauce dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the butter for olive oil and use a dairy-free cream alternative like coconut cream, though the flavor will be a bit different but still delicious.

How do I prevent the cream sauce from curdling?

Keep the heat medium-low when adding cream, and stir gently. Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously, which can cause the cream to separate. Also, adding cheese gradually helps maintain sauce consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe has become one of those meals I instinctively reach for when I want something impressive but achievable. It’s rich, comforting, and versatile enough for any season. If you’re looking to treat yourself or someone special to a flavorful yet simple dish, I can’t recommend this recipe enough—trust me, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!