Creamy Herb Garlic Salmon Recipe: A Delightful Seafood Treasure

Salmon bathed in a velvety herb garlic sauce promises an elegant dinner that feels like a culinary embrace.

Fragrant herbs dance around tender fish, creating layers of complex flavors.

Mediterranean coastal influences shine through each succulent bite.

Delicate yet robust, this dish whispers gourmet sophistication without complicated techniques.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike can master this recipe with minimal effort.

Smooth textures and aromatic notes make every forkful a delightful sensory experience.

Come savor a meal that transforms an ordinary evening into something truly memorable.

What Makes Creamy Herb Garlic Salmon Shine

• Quick and Effortless Cooking: Prepare this salmon dish in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu dinner parties.
• Flavor-Packed Gourmet Experience: Transform an ordinary salmon fillet into a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal ingredients and maximum taste, blending creamy sauce with herb and garlic notes.
• Versatile Serving Options: Easily customize this recipe by serving over pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables, making it adaptable to different dietary preferences and pantry staples.
• Minimal Cleanup Delight: Using a single skillet for the entire cooking process means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying a delicious, restaurant-quality meal at home.

Creamy Herb Garlic Salmon Ingredient List

• Salmon: Fresh, pink fish with a rich, buttery flavor.

• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic seasonings for enhancing salmon's natural taste.

• Butter: Creamy base for a rich sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic and flavorful herb.
• White Wine or Chicken Broth: Liquid for adding depth to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Smooth and luxurious sauce component.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese for sauce thickness.

• Parsley: Fresh green herb for garnish.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy accent.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing salmon.

Easy Steps For Creamy Herb Garlic Salmon

Step 1: Prepare Salmon for Searing

Pat the salmon dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect golden crust.

Season the fish generously with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, coating both sides evenly.

Step 2: Create Golden Salmon Crust

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Carefully place salmon flesh-side down, allowing it to sear for 5 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms.

Flip and cook the other side for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring the fish is cooked to your preferred doneness.

Transfer salmon to a warm plate and set aside.

Step 3: Build Luxurious Cream Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic.

Sauté until the garlic becomes fragrant and slightly golden, releasing its aromatic flavors.

Pour in white wine or chicken broth, scraping up the delicious browned bits from the pan bottom.

Step 4: Develop Creamy Sauce Texture

Reduce heat to low-medium and slowly stir in heavy cream.

Let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 5: Finish and Combine Sauce

Sprinkle in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and the sauce thickens to a luxurious consistency.

Carefully return salmon to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the fish.

Step 6: Garnish and Elevate

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the salmon and squeeze fresh lemon juice for a bright, citrusy finish.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

• Cooked pasta
• Fluffy rice
• Steamed vegetables

Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and creamy.

Cooking Advice For Herb Garlic Salmon

• Pat salmon dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown sear that traps delicious flavors inside.
• Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and wait until it's hot before adding salmon to create a beautiful crust without sticking.
• Simmer cream sauce gently and stir continuously to avoid curdling and maintain a smooth, silky texture.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative.
• Chop fresh herbs just before adding to maximize their aromatic oils and bring a vibrant, fresh flavor to the dish.

Save And Reheat Herb Garlic Salmon

• Store leftover salmon in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm salmon carefully in a skillet over low heat or microwave at 50% power for 30-second intervals to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Separate sauce from salmon before storing to prevent soggy texture, reheating each component separately for best results.
• Enjoy refrigerated salmon within 2 days for optimal taste and texture, discarding if it develops an off smell or appearance.

Pairing Ideas For Herb Garlic Salmon

• Enhance Herbal Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the salmon's rich, creamy sauce and herbal notes.
• Create Zesty Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness and provide a fresh, tangy contrast.
• Match Creamy Accompaniment: Serve with roasted garlic mashed potatoes or herbed quinoa to absorb the delicious sauce and add textural variety.
• Select Bright Vegetable Sides: Roast asparagus or green beans with garlic and lemon to echo the dish's flavor profile and add nutritious green elements.

Styles With Herb Garlic Salmon

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly sauce. Use plant-based butter alternative and omit Parmesan cheese.
• Low-Carb Option: Skip pasta or rice. Serve salmon over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Style: Swap wine with white wine vinegar and add capers, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes to create a more Mediterranean-inspired sauce. Use fresh basil instead of parsley.
• Spicy Herb Version: Incorporate red pepper flakes and swap regular garlic with roasted garlic. Add smoked paprika to the seasoning mix for an extra kick of heat and depth of flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, thaw salmon completely in the refrigerator overnight before cooking to ensure even cooking and prevent excess moisture.

• What type of wine works best for the sauce?

A dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio enhances the sauce’s flavor, but you can substitute with chicken broth if preferred.

• How do I know when salmon is perfectly cooked?

Salmon is done when it turns opaque and easily flakes with a fork, with an internal temperature of 145°F. The flesh should look slightly translucent in the center.

• Is this recipe considered healthy?

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein. While the cream sauce adds calories, it’s a nutritious dish when paired with vegetables and served in moderate portions.

Creamy Herb Garlic Salmon Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

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

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Description

Succulent “creamy herb garlic salmon” delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors with elegant simplicity. Rich herbed cream sauce and perfectly seared salmon promise a luxurious dinner experience you’ll savor with delightful satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 21 oz (600 g) salmon filets, skin on or off
• 1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups reduced fat cream
• 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Cooking Components:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring even surface temperature for perfect salmon searing.
2. Generously coat salmon with aromatic seasonings, creating a flavor-packed exterior that will caramelize beautifully.
3. Carefully place salmon flesh-side down, allowing a golden-brown crust to develop for approximately 5 minutes, then gently flip and cook the opposite side until fish reaches desired doneness.
4. Transfer salmon to a separate plate, keeping warm and preserving its succulent texture.
5. In the same skillet, melt butter until it becomes golden and releases a nutty fragrance.
6. Introduce minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release its intense aromatics.
7. Deglaze the pan with white wine or broth, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
8. Reduce liquid by half, concentrating the underlying flavor profile.
9. Lower heat and pour in heavy cream, allowing the sauce to simmer gently and develop a luxurious consistency.
10. Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety texture.
11. Return salmon to the skillet, nestling the fish into the creamy herb sauce.
12. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a bright splash of lemon juice to elevate the dish’s complexity.
13. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
14. Serve immediately atop a bed of pasta, fluffy rice, or vibrant steamed vegetables.

Notes

• Choose salmon fillets with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Pat salmon completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior during searing.
• Use fresh garlic for more intense flavor compared to pre-minced versions, which can taste slightly bitter or less aromatic.
• Select a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the sauce’s depth without overpowering the delicate salmon.
• For dairy-free alternatives, replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
• Low-carb dieters can serve salmon over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter meal option.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 564
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 47 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg