Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon recipe features pan-seared salmon fillets in a luscious garlic, butter, and Parmesan cream sauce, enhanced with fresh parsley and optional white wine. Perfectly seasoned and cooked in just 20 minutes, it makes a rich and flavorful main course ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
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
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Season the salmon: Generously season both sides of the salmon fillets with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor before cooking.
- Pan-fry the salmon: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add the salmon and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove salmon and drain excess oil, leaving some to sauté the garlic.
- Butter baste the salmon: Melt butter in the same pan, tilt the pan, and spoon the melted butter over the salmon fillets generously for extra richness.
- Sauté garlic: Remove the salmon temporarily and sauté the minced garlic in the butter and oil until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.
- Add wine (optional): Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for 2 minutes or until the wine has mostly evaporated to concentrate the flavors.
- Prepare the cream sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low, then add chicken broth and heavy cream to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Incorporate cheese and seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Reheat salmon in sauce: Return the salmon to the pan and simmer for a few more minutes until the fillets are warmed through and coated in the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Spoon the sauce over the salmon, garnish with additional parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy your creamy garlic butter salmon!
Notes
- Herbs: Substitute fresh parsley with thyme or dill for a different herbal note.
- Flavor Enhancements: Sauté diced shallots or onions with garlic for added depth, or season salmon with garlic and onion powder before searing.
- Lemon Zest: Add capers or lemon slices to the cream sauce while it simmers, marinate salmon in lemon juice for 15-30 minutes, or drizzle lemon juice over the finished dish for brightness.
- Heat: Incorporate red pepper flakes to add a subtle kick to the sauce.
- Add Greens: Stir in baby spinach to the cream sauce for added nutrients and volume.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
