If you've been craving a dish that's effortlessly elegant yet easy enough for a weeknight, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is exactly what you need. Creamy, garlicky, buttery – it's like comfort food meets fine dining in your own kitchen. Stick around, and I'll walk you through all the little tips that make this salmon truly shine.

Creamy 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'm genuinely excited to share this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe with you because it's one of those dinners that always impresses without demanding too much time or effort. Plus, it's packed with rich flavors that feel indulgent, but it's actually really simple to pull together.

Speedy prep: You get gourmet-level flavor in about 20 minutes flat, perfect for busy nights.
Versatile ingredients: The pantry staples combine to make a sauce that works magic with the salmon every time.
Elegant yet comforting: I love serving this for guests because it looks and tastes fancy, but it’s just you and the skillet in the kitchen.
Customizable: Whether you want it lighter, tangier, or with an extra kick, you can easily tweak it to your taste.

Creamy 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

Let’s chat about the star players here. The creamy garlic butter sauce is what transforms ordinary salmon into a silky, dreamy dinner. Each ingredient brings something unique — from the richness of butter and cream to the gentle bite of Parmesan and freshness of parsley. Grab quality salmon fillets for best results, and you’ll see how simple ingredients combine into something special.

Creamy 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: Fresh, skin-on or off, thick fillets help retain moisture while searing beautifully.
Olive oil: Adds a light, fruity base for frying the salmon without overpowering flavors.
Butter: What gives the sauce its luscious, silky texture and rich flavor.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a fragrant punch — skip the powder here for the best aroma.
Dry white wine (optional): This adds acidity and depth but you can leave it out or substitute with extra broth if you don’t have it on hand.
Chicken broth: A savory base that balances the cream and cheese perfectly.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce thick and velvety — don’t swap this with milk or it won’t have the same lusciousness.
Parmesan cheese: Adds umami and helps thicken the sauce; freshly grated works best.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the sauce and adds a lovely color contrast on top.
Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance all the other flavors.

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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 my favorite things about this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often like to toss in a handful of baby spinach for some greenery or swap parsley for dill when I’m in the mood for a brighter, herbal twist. Feel free to make this recipe your own — it’s flexible.

Add some heat: I sometimes sprinkle in red pepper flakes to give the sauce a little kick — it pairs surprisingly well with the creaminess.
Swap herbs: Dill, thyme or chives can totally change up the vibe. I’ve even done a lemon-thyme combo for springtime freshness.
More aromatics: When I want more depth, I sauté some finely diced shallots along with the garlic — it’s a delicious upgrade.
Zesty extras: Try adding capers or a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving to balance the richness.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear the Salmon

First thing, I pat the salmon dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This step is easy to overlook, but it makes all the difference for flavor. Then, in a skillet over medium-high heat, I add the olive oil and sear the salmon skin-side down if yours has skin. Cook 4 minutes or so until golden and crispy, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes. The key here? Don’t move the salmon too much — you want a nice crust to form.

Step 2: Butter Baste and Remove Salmon

Once seared, I drain a bit of the excess oil but leave enough to sauté the garlic. I toss in butter and, as it melts, tip the pan slightly and spoon melted butter over each fillet generously — this step locks in moisture and adds buttery richness. Then, I carefully transfer the salmon to a plate and set it aside while I whip up the sauce.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Deglaze

With the heat now on medium, I add the minced garlic and sauté it just about 30 seconds — you want fragrant garlic but no bitterness from burning. Then, if you’re using white wine, I pour it in now and let it simmer until mostly evaporated. This step adds an amazing depth of flavor and a subtle tang that balances the creaminess later.

Step 4: Build the Cream Sauce

Next, I lower the heat to medium-low and pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Parmesan cheese goes in right after — I keep stirring until it melts smoothly into the sauce, thickening it gently. This sauce is rich but not heavy, and you can tweak thickness by simmering a bit longer if you want it creamier.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

To finish, I season the sauce with chopped fresh parsley and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Then, back goes the salmon into the pan, letting it warm through for a few minutes as the sauce bubbles. Finally, I spoon that luscious sauce over the salmon, garnish with some extra parsley for color, and that’s it — dinner done!

Top Tip

After making this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few key things that helped me get it just right every time. These tips save you from common slip-ups and elevate your dish from good to fantastic.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Searing too many fillets at once lowers the temperature and prevents that golden crust. Cook in batches if needed.
Fresh garlic only: It gives a bright, authentic flavor, unlike garlic powder, which can taste dull in this sauce.
Be patient with the sauce: Let the cheese melt fully and the sauce thicken gently over low heat — rushing this step makes it less silky.
Rest salmon briefly: Let the fish rest a minute off heat before serving to lock in juices and keep it tender.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling extra chopped fresh parsley and sometimes a few lemon wedges on the side. The lemon brightens all that rich, buttery goodness just perfectly. Occasionally, a pinch of fresh cracked black pepper right before serving adds a subtle pop that I really enjoy.

Side Dishes

For sides, I usually keep it simple: garlic butter roasted asparagus or steamed green beans work beautifully. Sometimes I whip up a quick herbed couscous or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every bit of that sauce — trust me, you won’t want to waste a drop!

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like plating the salmon on a bed of sautéed spinach or ribbons of zucchini noodles tossed lightly in garlic oil. Serving it with a colorful side salad and finishing with edible flowers makes it feel extra fancy — perfect for impressing guests or a date night in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which doesn't always happen in my house!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The salmon stays moist and the sauce thickens up nicely — just give it a gentle stir before reheating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cooked salmon before, but I recommend freezing the salmon and sauce separately if possible — cream sauces can separate when frozen. Wrap the salmon tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

To reheat, I like warming the salmon gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if you can—it tends to dry out the fish and split the sauce. Slow and steady wins here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to fully thaw the salmon and pat it dry before cooking. This helps you get a nice sear and avoid sogginess.

Is the white wine necessary?

Nope, the white wine is optional. It adds a lovely depth, but if you don’t have any, you can skip it or replace it with a bit more chicken broth.

Can I substitute the heavy cream?

Heavy cream gives this sauce its luxurious texture, so swapping it might thin out the sauce. If you want a lighter version, you can experiment with half-and-half but the sauce won’t be as thick or rich.

What’s the best way to tell when the salmon is cooked?

Look for an opaque appearance where the salmon starts to flake easily, usually about 7-8 minutes total depending on thickness. Using a fork to gently test for flakiness is a great trick. Avoid overcooking to keep it tender.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is near and dear to my heart because it’s proof that you don’t need complicated ingredients or techniques to create something delicious and impressive. It’s a go-to for when I want a meal that feels special but doesn’t steal my entire evening. Give it a try — I promise once you make it, it’ll become a favorite in your recipe rotation too.