Description
A rich and flavorful creamy garlic butter salmon recipe featuring pan-seared salmon fillets cooked in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic, white wine, and fresh parsley. Perfect for an elegant yet easy dinner in just 20 minutes.
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: Season both sides of the salmon fillets generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Pan-fry the salmon: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Place salmon fillets skin-side up in the hot oil and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Drain any excess oil, leaving a little for sautéing.
- Baste with butter: Add butter to the pan and let it melt. Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter over the salmon fillets to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Remove salmon: Take the salmon out of the pan and set aside temporarily while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté garlic: With the pan over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds, careful not to burn it.
- Add white wine: Pour in the dry white wine (if using) and simmer for 2 minutes or until the wine has mostly evaporated, concentrating the flavors.
- Make cream sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add chicken broth and heavy cream to the pan. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Melt Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture. Season to taste with chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer sauce: Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Reheat salmon: Return the salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them. Simmer for a few more minutes until the salmon is warmed through and fully coated.
- Serve: Spoon extra sauce over the salmon and garnish with additional fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Replace fresh parsley with thyme or dill for a different herb flavor.
- For added flavor, sauté diced shallots or onions with the garlic.
- Season the salmon with garlic and onion powder before searing for extra seasoning.
- Add capers or lemon slices directly to the cream sauce for a bright zest.
- Marinate the salmon in lemon juice for 15-30 minutes or drizzle lemon juice over before serving to enhance freshness.
- Add red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Incorporate baby spinach into the cream sauce for added greens and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salmon fillet
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
