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This one-skillet Creamy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon is for those nights when youโre craving something a little fancier but need something quick and easy to prepare. This creamy salmon recipeโs secret is that the salmon is broiled until crisp with garlic, thyme, and butter. Itโs then mixed into a simple parmesan cream sauce with spinach, lemon, and fresh herbs. Love these flavors! This salmon is easy and delicious, plus wonderful for all seasons. And the best part is that this salmon recipe can come together in less than thirty minutes!
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Ingredients
- Salmon filetsย
- Salt and black pepperย
- olive oil
- Salted butterย
- Fresh thyme leavesย
- Garlic
- Shallotย
- Heavy creamย (or chicken broth or vegetable broth as an alternative)
- Salsa verdeย
- Grated parmesan cheeseย
- Chopped sun-dried tomatoesย
- Fresh baby spinachย
- Lemon juiceย
- Chopped fresh dillย (other herbs that could be great to add include fresh dill and fresh parsley)
- Chopped green onionsย
Kitchen Supplies
- Oven-safe skilletย
- Teaspoons and tablespoons
- Measuring cupsย
- Serving platesย
- paper towels
This is the perfect recipe for a spring Monday. I tโs also a dish Iโve been looking forward to sharing with you all for quite a while! First of all, weโre back with new fish and seafood recipes! I took a break for a few weeks, but Iโve got newfound inspiration and a couple of recipes Iโm really looking forward to sharing!
Plus, with the weather finally warming up, seafood always feels more appropriate!
Before I dive into the nitty-gritty here, I have to shout out that my dad really loved this recipe.
He said the secret is the cream sauce. Itโs not what you expect, but itโs even more delicious! Love hearing this feedback!
Here are the details
Step 1: broil the salmon
Over the years, Iโve learned that I do not love pan-frying salmon. Itโs messy, and the fish always falls apart. Instead, I broil my salmon. Itโs totally hands-off and mess-free!
Arrange the salmon in an oven-safe skillet with butter, fresh thyme, and garlic cloves. Broil until itโs crispy on top.
Step 2: make the cream sauce
Pull the salmon out of the skillet and let it hang out for a minute while you mix up the sauce.
In the same skillet as the garlic, add additional butter and the shallots, along with a pinch of chili flakes. Cook on medium high heat until fragrant, then use a fork to smash the garlic cloves into a paste.
Step 3: finish the sauce
Add the cream to the sauce, then add my secret โ salsa verde. This adds an unexpected kick to the sauce, but oh my goodness, itโs so delicious. Donโt knock it til youโve tried it.
Next, mix in the parmesan, the sun-dried tomatoes, and the spinach.
Now slide the salmon into the sauce and squeeze the lemon over the salmon. I always season with sea salt and pepper too.
Step 4: mix the herbs
Now, on a plate, mix some fresh dill with chopped green onions and lemon zest.
Serve the salmon in the cream sauce and then top with those lemony herbs.
Add crusty bread for dipping, baby potatoes, a side of rice, roasted asparagus, or even just abig salad! This makes for a great weeknight meal and can easily be used as a main course for your next spring or summer dinner party.
The leftover salmon is delicious on salads or rice bowls the next day, so make sure you have an airtight container on hand for refrigerator storage!
Everyone always enjoys this salmon, and we love how quick the dish is to cook! This is one of my favorite weeknight dinners. Plus, it makes for such a pretty dinner table!
Looking for other dinner recipes? Here are some of my favorites:ย
Baked Coconut Curry Salmon
Thai Black Pepper Chicken and Garlic Noodles
One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese
Honey Garlic Salmon Soba Noodle Bowls
Coconut Milk Braised Black Pepper Chicken
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Lastly, if you make this Creamy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Garlic Butter Baked Salmon In Lemony Parmesan Cream
Ingredientsย
- 4 salmon filets, skin on or off, (your preference)
- salt and black pepper
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 4 cloves garlic, lightly smashed
- 1 shallot, thinly. sliced
- chili flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup salsa verde
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus 1 tablespoon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructionsย
- 1. Preheat the oven to broil. 2. In an oven-safe skillet, season the salmon with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon butter, the thyme, and garlic. Broil 5-8 minutes or until crisping on top. 3. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside. 4. Place the skillet with the thyme and garlic over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons butter, the shallots, and chili flakes. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Smash the garlic down with a fork into a paste. Add the cream and salsa verde. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Add the parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, 3-5 minutes. Slide the salmon in the sauce. Top with lemon juice.5. Mix the lemon zest, dill, and green onions. Sprinkle on top of the salmon. Serve the salmon in the cream.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Can I broil the salmon early in the day, make the sauce and reheat in the oven at dinnertime?
Hey Christine,
I think salmon is best served right after making it:) You could try that, I would just be careful it doesn’t dry out. Please let me know if I can help in any other way!
O M G.
This was absolutely amazing. My husband LOVES Fish and I donโt alwaysโฆ but this was incredible. Weโre planning on having it a couple times a month! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Bobbi,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your feedback, so glad it was a hit!
This was great, added mushrooms and red onion. Perfect with a nice salad
Hey Paul! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for letting me know! ๐ xT
Hi Tieghan myself and husband really enjoyed this dish,will be cooking it again.
Hey Jennifer,
Fantastic!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear it was enjoyed!
This was easy to make and super delicious! Honestly, anything youโve created with some salsa verde included, is a big yes from me!
Hey Isabelle,
Thanks for trying this recipe and for the feedbackโI canโt wait to hear what you make next!
Enjoy your day!
sun dried tomatoes in oil?
Hi Shannon,
Yes, that is correct. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
This recipe sounds delicious, but Iโm not sure if I am supposed to put the butter, thyme and garlic on top of the salmon filets before broiling them in Step 2, or if the butter, thyme and garlic just go in the bottom of the skillet with the salmon on top. Can you please clarify?
Hi Deborah,
You can put it in the bottom of the skillet. I hope you love this dish, let me know how it turns out for you!
Excellent recipe! My my favorite salmon recipe by far! Husband said I could make this every week.
Hey Nicole,
Thanks so much! Love to hear you enjoyed this recipe, I appreciate you making it! Have a great day!
Question: is the salsa Verde used Italian or Mexican version? The rest of the ingredients suggest Italian but then you say it gives an “unexpected kick”….
Hi Jessica,
I used a Mexican salsa verde for this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
This is another yummy recipe thats become a weeknight go to! I throw in some gnoochi at the end and it goes wonderfully!
Thank you so much Tawana! The gnocchi sounds amazing! xT
Is the salsa Verde supposed to be Italian or Mexican style?
Hi Jessica,
I like to use Mexican style salsa verde. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
The best salmon I have ever tasted!!! And I have eaten a lot of salmon. Plus my husband loved it too!
Hey there,
Wonderful!! Love to hear this recipe was a winner, I appreciate you making it and taking the time to comment! Have the best weekend:)
This has quickly become a family favorite of ours ever since seeing it in the Quick and Cozy cookbook! We also make extra sauce (and leave the salmon in the mix slightly longer), then use the excess sauce the next day with Lox, poached eggs, avocado, and English muffins for our own version of an Eggs Benedict.
If you ever need an idea for another cookbook– I’d love to know which other recipes you can make at night, and then use part of the dish for breakfast/brunch the following day!
Hey Ryan,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe:) Love to hear it turned out nicely for you!๐บ
Excellent! Sooo flavorful. I added some sliced zucchini while the shallots were cooking, and I didn’t have salsa Verde so I used regular salsa mixed with green hot sauce from trader joes. Putting this on regular easy dinner rotation! So simple to follow even for an amateur like me ๐
Hey Whit,
Happy Monday! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, love to hear it turned out well! xx