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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.
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
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 723 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
This is delicious!!! The creaminess is perfect 🙂
Hey Laura,
Happy Friday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! xTieghan
Amazing!! I used asparagus instead of zucchini but other than that another amazing recipe
Hey Samantha,
Wonderful! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
This was a SOLID yum! I used 2 (should have used 3) zucchini and used my spiralizer to make noodles. I was going to make egg noodles as well but forgot. I wish I hadn’t because there was lots of the yummy sauce left over! This is a definite “you gotta make”.
Hey Julie,
Wonderful! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
I made this tonight with Alaskan King Salmon-it’s another winner-I’m not good at remembering garnishes and tonight was no exception
Hey Shelley,
Happy Wednesday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Soooo goood!!!
Very easy and quick to the table. This is definitely a keeper. Thank you Tieghan for all your delicious recipes!
Hey Karen,
Happy Wednesday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
I made this last night for my husband and I…..
It was absolutely delicious!!!!
Thanks Tieghan
Hey Mary,
Happy Wednesday! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
This was so good! Made it for dinner tonight, used the coconut milk substitute for a bit of a tropical flair. Turned out great may cook up some pasta and make the leftovers last even longer! Thanks for all the superb recipes!
Hey Robin,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed:) xTieghan
Made this tonight for dinner and it was TO DIE FOR! Served it alongside an orzo pasta mix and the whole family loved it and said it should definitely be added to the rotation! Have loved every single recipe of yours that I have tried! 🙂
Hey Emily,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed:) xTieghan
Super easy to make, delicious!!!! Will definitely be making this again and again…..
Hey Deborah,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed:) xTieghan
I never write reviews but this was truly amazing! Out-of-town visitor approved – didn’t take long and the sauce was to die for. I accidentally forgot to add lemon juice and it was still 11/10.
Hey Monica,
Awesome! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
This was SO easy, came together quickly, and had such wonderful flavors! Am absolutely adding this to my salmon dish rotation. Thanks for another great recipe!
Hey Jessica,
Awesome! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
Another winner, Tieghan! I used a big fillet of sockeye salmon and ended up using canned coconut milk instead of cream. Absolutely delicious!!
Hey Autumn,
Awesome! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
LOVED THIS !!! Made it exactly according to your recipe, and it was delicious. Husband commented that it was a different and really good way to fix salmon. Served it over egg noodles. Thanks for coming up with this ?
Hey Donna,
Awesome! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
Oh my gosh. Incredible. Serious comfort food. We were licking our plates. Have been craving it since. SO good!!!! Creamy and spicy-ish, herby and fresh. Definitely a weekly plate for us. Made it with some rosemary roasted potatoes and it was to die for
Hey Adrienne,
Awesome! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
This was AMAZING!!!!!! The sauce…. Wow. Definitely making this again! Going to try with chicken next time!
Hey Jordan,
Awesome! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan