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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 recipe is really easy and delicious. I have just started to get more into a routine of cooking, and I have never felt strong in my cooking abilities, but this recipe fooled my husband (and me) into believing that I am very talented at cooking. LOL. I also love that it doesn’t require too many out of the ordinary ingredients.
Hey Taylor,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
This recipe was great! I used coconut milk and was worried it would taste too much like coconut but it didn’t at all. I took the advise of others and only used the juice from half a lemon instead a full lemon and I think I will continue to do that. I am not the biggest fan of zucchinis so I let them cook down a bit longer and I instantly became a fan!
I will definitely be adding this to the weekly quick and easy recipe log!
Hey Melisa,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great day:) xxT
So simple to make and extremely delicious. Even my picky eater loved it. I served with fingerling potatoes finished off with truffle salt. Divine!
Hi Brenda,
Awesome! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
I saw this recipe and saved it awhile back! Crazy me for not making it sooner! OMG! It’s so delicious and so easy! I may never make salmon filets any other way again!! My daughter and I are big fans and not a week goes by when we don’t send a pic of one of your delicious recipes we’ve made! Thanks so much !!
Hey there,
Thank you so very much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
This recipe looks super delicious, I am curious what good cheese substitute you would suggest for a fellow-non-feta-lover?
Hi Sarah,
Something like goat cheese would also work well here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Super simple and super tasty! It was hit for both my husband and I. 🙂
Hi Brianna,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Best recipe I’ve ever made! Delicious and easy. It was so good, I made it again a few days later. Will come back to this dish time after time!
Hi Tesa,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan
My husband loves this dish and so do I!
Easy, fun, and packed with flavor. Thank you for sharing!
Hey Lauren,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed. Have a great Saturday! xTieghan
So so good
Thank you Sarah! xTieghan
This was BRILLIANT!! I’ve been searching for a good and easy salmon recipe that felt like something special. Made this for 2 of us, so made half a recipe, used whole milk instead of cream, an onion instead of shallot, and spinach instead of zucchini (only because I was using what I had!). Did crispy skin (yum!) and then served with a slice of country French bread. Sooo good. Comforting and special. Thank you!
Hey! Thanks SO much for trying out this recipe, I hope you loved it! xxTieghan
I’m really excited to make this, but don’t really know how much salmon I need. Any chance you could include an approximate weight? Is a filet the standard 2-3 oz serving or an entire 3 lb half a fish?
Hi there! Yes, the filet is a standard 2-3 oz serving. Enjoy the recipe! 🙂 xTieghan
The sauce on its own is for die for…add in the zucchini and salmon and it was a winner for sure. I used the coconut milk option and it was a hit for my family. It was also a great, quick dinner.
Hey Christina,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
So good! Didn’t have fresh herbs. So I used dried & totally forgot to add some basil and lemon juice at the end. So good though! Served over jasmine rice because a lot of people commented about rice. Also used two zucchini! So good! Every HBH recipe has been a repeat!
Hey Emily,
Fantastic!! So great to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and thanks a lot for making it. Have a great week!? xTieghan
Made this for my family last night, they are still talking about it! They asked that this recipe be “put into the rotation” at our house! FIVE STARS
Hey Shay,
Happy Friday!! I so appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious!!
Hey Margie,
I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan