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Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

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Try this creamy garlic butter salmon recipe for a quick, rich, and flavorful dinner. Made with Parmesan, garlic, and lemon!

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 salmon filets 5-6 oz. each
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (non-animal rennet, divided)
  • 2 tbsp parsley freshly chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Instructions

  1. Start with the salmon: Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel—this helps them get that golden, crispy crust. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat, then place the fillets skin-side up. Sear for 4-5 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

    Pro tip: Don’t crowd the pan—cook in batches if necessary!

  2. Make the garlic butter base: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic—it can turn bitter.
  3. Deglaze with broth: Pour in the chicken broth and use a spatula to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 4 minutes to reduce slightly.
  4. Create the sauce: Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper, then add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Bring it all together: Return the salmon to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon the creamy sauce over the fillets and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color.
  6. Finish with lemon juice: Just before serving, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top to brighten the flavors.

Notes

If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When reheating, do so gently—microwave on low power or warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or cream to keep the sauce smooth. Avoid overheating, as the sauce can separate.

  • Author: Soraya
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner