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Keeping things super quick and very delicious with this Creamed Feta Garlic Herb Butter Salmon. This one skillet salmon is for those nights when you’re craving something fancy, but need to keep things quick and easy too. It’s all made in one skillet with heart healthy salmon, shallots, garlic, lots of herbs, creamy feta cheese, and summer zucchini. Not only is this salmon easy and delicious, but it comes together in less than 30 minutes.
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I am very picky about seafood recipes. I’m sure you’ve all noticed, but I don’t share that many new recipes for fish. But it’s not because I don’t love seafood, I do! Here’s thing, I have my tried and true favorites. I’ve found that there are a lot of seafood recipes out there that just have too much going on. Too many complicated steps and simply not enough flavor.
Therefore, I haven’t forced myself to share any just OK fish recipes. Instead I wait until I have a really great dish that I not only love, but that I feel like you guys will love too.
I love a good fish taco, salmon in a skillet or on the grill, and quick shrimp dinners. And today? I’ve got a recipe highlighting salmon, summer zucchini, and herbs.
The funny thing about this recipe is that it started out completely different. But in the end, it wound up being so much more delicious. I love when that happens!
Seared salmon with garlic butter zucchini in a creamy feta sauce? It’s basically salmon in a Florentine style sauce, but instead of spinach and parmesan, we’re using zucchini and feta cheese. And it’s just as delicious as it sounds. What’s even better is that it takes just thirty minutes from start to finish to prepare.
Here are the steps
Start with the salmon. I love to use skin-on salmon filets for best flavor. But use what you feel most comfortable cooking or enjoy the most. I will say that the skin is where a lot of the healthy oils are, so there are also additional health benefits.
You’ll pan sear the salmon in a big skillet until it’s cooked to your liking. For me, that’s a very cripsy skin, with a nice browned top, but a slightly pink middle.
Once the salmon is cooked, pull it out of the skillet.
Now toss in some butter and zucchini. You can use zucchini or summer squash, either is really great!
Then add in shallots, garlic, thyme and chili flakes. Pour in a little cream (or coconut milk, whichever you prefer), then crumble in the feta cheese. Cook the sauce over medium-low heat until the cheese is melted and mostly smooth. It might not melt all the way, but the big chunks should become creamy…and delicious.
Now slide the salmon back into the sauce, squeeze over a touch of lemon, and you’re done.
Finish things up
You see? I told you, this is very simple.
To serve, I love to top with lots of fresh basil and thyme, a sprinkle of chives, and some flaky sea salt. It’s rich and creamy, but feels light and summery at the same time.
The sauce is a touch buttery, a little garlicky, and very creamy thanks to the feta, which I feel is the real secret to this dish. It’s the perfect pairing to a pan seared, crispy filet of salmon.
I’d recommend serving this with crusty bread for dipping and maybe a potato salad. Or simply just some pasta and a big summer salad. This makes for a great weeknight meal, but can easily be used as a main course for your next summer dinner party.
Looking for other quick summer dinners? Here are some favorites:
Browned Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Cheese Ravioli
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Chickpea Salad
Grilled Vegetable Burrata Sandwich with Lemon Thyme Honey Mustard
Lastly, if you make this Creamed Feta Garlic Herb Butter 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, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Creamed Feta Garlic Herb Butter Salmon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets, skin on or off, (your preference)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- juice from 1 lemon
- fresh basil and thyme, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Season the salmon with salt and pepper.2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the salmon, skin side down, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is crisp. Flip and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. Remove from the skillet. If desired, peel away the skin and discard. 3. To the same skillet, add the butter, zucchini, and shallots and cook until the shallot is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes, cook another 1-2 minutes. Stir in the cream and feta. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice. Remove from the heat and slide the salmon back into the sauce. 4. To serve, plate each piece of salmon, then spoon the sauce and zucchini over top. Serve topped with fresh basil.
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.
This looks to die for! Any way you can make a dairy free version of this recipe for those lactose intolerant peeps?
Hey Carly,
I would just use your favorite dairy free milk or cream. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I added some mushrooms that were about to go bad in my fridge and some cherry tomatoes from my garden to all the other ingredients listed in the recipe and, oh my! Delish! Will definitely be making again! What a great, fresh, summery dish!
Hey Christin,
Happy Wednesday!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
I was so skeptical about this recipe as I’ve never cooked salmon with a cream sauce but this was outrageously good!! My almost two year old is currently devouring it. I loved the combination of flavors in this dish as well as how easy and quick it was to put together.
Hey Nicole,
Happy Wednesday!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
I made this for dinner tonight and it was a huge hit! My husband absolutely loved the sauce, and I will certainly be making this again.
Hey Debra,
Happy Wednesday!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS GOOD 🙂 Saw the recipe in my inbox first thing in the morning and even at 8 am it sounded amazing 🙂 I decided right then it was going to be dinner and it was amazing. We love salmon, but it’s always one that sounds better at the time you buy it not at cooking time 🙂 This recipe for sure hit it fantastically out of the park. We loved it and husband packed up the leftovers for lunch. Tieghan your recipes are always my “go to” and are fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Hey Tina,
Happy Wednesday!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
I REALLY dislike zucchini. Would another green work? Maybe broccoli or brussel sprouts?
Hey Kimberly,
Really any veggie that you like will work here:) I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I am DEFINITELY going to make this as soon as possible – while I love Zucchini, my boyfriend isn’t a huge fan. I was wondering IF you were to substitute the zucchini (which I won’t do for me haha!) what vegetable would you suggest?
Thank you so much for all of your amazing recipes!
Hey there,
I think mushrooms in place of the zucchini would be delicious! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This is another amazing recipe. I just started ordering a monthly supply of fish from “Wild Alaskan Company” so we were excited to have salmon for dinner tonight, then I read this recipe so we had to try it. It was very different from any salmon recipe I’ve tried and it was very good; we made a few adjustments because we don’t like zucchini. We added roasted bell peppers, grilled mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes. The sauce was so creamy with at little zing from the feta. Absolutely delicious!!!
Hey Nina,
Wonderful! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Hi! What is the size of your fillet ? Figuring out how to appropriately buy this when I go to the seafood counter. Thanks !
Hey Ritu,
I would use about 4-5 ounce filets. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This is THE BEST!!!!!! Made this tonight and can’t recommend it enough! Going to make for everyone I know. I added Trader Joe’s “citrusy garlic” seasoning on the salmon and in the sauce, plus lemon pepper on the salmon as well out of habit. Absolutely delicious. Served with sweet potato fries w/ garlic aioli dipping sauce. ?
Hey Allison,
Wonderful! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Used goat cheese cuz we didn’t have feta. Used coconut milk.. my husband licked the plate at the end of the meal. Period.
Hey Julianne,
Wonderful! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Looks delish! Could I use goat cheese instead of feta?
Hey Cyndi,
Totally! Goat cheese would be fantastic. Hope you love this dish! xTieghan
Your food looks so delicious. Do you ever to dishes that are low in carbs.
Thanks! I do! There’s over 2,600 recipes on the blog! Please let me know if you have any other questions:) xTieghan
This looks and sounds divine! I always think of you for your colder weather recipes, but wow, you are really nailing theses summer ones too! ?x
Thanks so much Kelly-Jane!
Looks delicious but we’re not huge feta cheese fans … what other cheese would be best to use with this?
Hey Sharon,
I think goat cheese would also be delicious here! I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi! 🙂
My husband doesn’t like fish. Thoughts on subbing chicken?
Hey Jaime,
Chicken would be great to use here. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
what could i use instead of coconut milk or heavy cream to make it lighter
I like to use fat free half and half to lighten up my recipes.
Check out nutpods! I use that a lot to sub out cream 🙂
Hey Martha,
You could use skim milk, it just won’t be as creamy. I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan