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Keeping things super quick and very delicious with this Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon. This one skillet salmon is for those nights when you’re craving something fancy…ish, but need to keep things quick and easy too. It’s all made in one skillet with heart healthy salmon, shallots, garlic, a touch of creamy coconut milk, parmesan cheese, plenty of fresh baby spinach, and spring herbs. Not only is this salmon easy and delicious, but it feels fancy too. Best part? It comes together in less than 30 minutes.
There are some days that I head into the kitchen and I really do not have a clue what I’m going to cook. To be honest, I don’t love to be overly planned out when it comes to the recipes I share. I’ve learned that when I spend a day or two plotting out new recipes, and putting the concepts on my list of recipes to test, that when the time comes to actually make the recipe, I find that I’ve already changed my mind.
What I’ve found most productive is to start each week fresh and only plot recipe concepts every 2-3 days. Any more lead time and I will end up changing my mind and move on from the concept. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but if something is not exciting me in the moment, I’m not going to create it. Of course, there are some ideas that are just always exciting, and will always make the cut. But then there are also some that just aren’t.
I leave the non-exciting ones behind, and run with the exciting ones…
Anyway, my point in this little behind the scenes peek into my recipe development process, is that I made this garlic butter salmon last week on a whim, and without much thought. It just sounded amazing, so I ran with it and had the recipe tested and ready for photographing in just a couple of hours.
For whatever reason, I was thinking about how much I used to love my mom’s homemade Chicken Florentine. She made it heavy on the butter, lemon, spinach, and parmesan. It’s one of those childhood comfort foods I will always love.
I thought about how delicious that Florentine sauce would be with pan seared, crispy salmon. Once the thought hit, I knew this would be one of the recipes I’d be testing out that day.
I was almost certain it would turn out to be a great recipe to share with you all. So I was very excited about it from the start. Clearly all went as planned, because here it is! And you guys…it’s just as good as it sounds, but better.
And so easy, which I think is always nice on a Monday.
This is another one of my one skillet recipes.
The salmon is pan seared until both sides are perfectly crisp. I love cooking salmon filets with the skin on, as it adds an incredible amount of flavor. Plus the skin is where a lot of the healthy oils are, so there are also additional health benefits. You can certainly use skin-off salmon as well, but I do recommend skin-on for best flavor!
Once you sear the salmon, it’s time to make the sauce. All you need is a pat of butter, shallots, garlic, coconut milk, parmesan, spinach, and herbs. Now, I know the coconut milk may sound odd, but you really don’t taste any coconut flavor. I like to use coconut milk for its creaminess. I find it to be incredibly delicious in cream sauces and prefer it over heavy cream. Bonus that it’s also much healthier!
Slowly cook the garlic until fragrant, then add the milk, spinach, and herbs. I also add plenty of lemon, since that was a key ingredient in my mom’s sauce.
Finish up with some fresh chives and done. It doesn’t even take 30 minutes, and it’s really just one of the most delicious ways you can cook up salmon on a weeknight. The sauce is a touch buttery, a little garlicy, very creamy, and made fresh with the squeeze of a lemon. It’s the perfect pairing to a pan seared, crispy filet of salmon.
Serve this with crusty bread for dipping, baby potatoes, roasted asparagus, a big salad, or maybe even a combo of them all! This makes for a great weeknight meal, but can easily be used as a main course for your next spring or summer dinner party.
And yes, it’s great for Easter too!
If you make this garlic-butter creamed spinach 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 also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach 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 small shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk, or heavy cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving
Instructions
- 1. Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper. 2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the salmon, skin side down and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is crisp. Gently flip, and continue cooking the salmon 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, shallots, and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, coconut milk, and cream cheese. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Add the parmesan, and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, and chives. Remove from the heat and slide the salmon back into the sauce. 4. To serve plate each piece of salmon, then spoon the sauce over top. Serve with additional herbs.
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 was absolutely delicious. I didn’t have spinach on hand but didn’t miss it at all. Thanks so much for this recipe. Definitely one that will impress your guests.
Hey Tina,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for trying it out! Have a great Tuesday! xxTieghan
SO good – made this for my family and my mother (who does not like salmon) and she loved it! Tieghan’s recipes never fail. Thank you for making dinners so easy and delicious. You have saved this mama so much time and energy!
Hey Blair,
Fantastic! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xxTieghan
Made this recipe for my family and I. It was absolutely delicious and flavourful. It also tasted amazing with dipping roast potatoes into the cream sauce. Thank you for another amazing recipe. Can’t wait to try this recipe again.
Hey Michelle,
Fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Made this for friends last night and followed the directions exactly, came out perfect and was sooo good!! Raves all around, thank you!!
Hey Tabitha,
Awesome! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed and I really appreciate you giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
it was great will make again my husand loved it
Hey Nancy,
Fantastic! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This was so creamy and delicious! Loved the sauce. Made a lemon, garlic , Parmesan orzo and it was perfect! Will definitely make again.
Hey Kara,
I am so glad this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xxTieghan
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit! Didn’t have shallots on hand so just subbed an onion and it tasted amazing. ❤️❤️❤️
Hey Brie,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Monday! xTieghan
This sounds amazing. I would like to leave out the cream cheese as I don’t eat dairy. What would you substitute?
Hey Resa,
I think ricotta would also work well, otherwise just skip the cream cheese. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Made this tonight for dinner with coconut milk. Perfection!
Hey Lauren,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! ?xTieghan
I have made more than a few of Tieghan’s recipes – all with great success – so when I say this is a winner, this is a winner!! I’m hyper critical of my cooking skills, always looking to make it better and this needs no tweaking! Amazing! Delicious! Easy! Ingredients that are in your pantry! I served it on a bed of rice in order to enjoy every last drop of sauce, but yummy bread or even pasta would have worked too! Home run! Thank you Tieghan for sharing your talents!!
Hey Caroline,
I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hi! I can’t wait to make this tonight! I don’t have any cream cheese in the fridge. What would you recommend as a sub? Thanks so much! We are loving all of your recipes!
Hey Alexis,
You can skip the cream cheese or even something like ricotta would work well here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I am a huge HBH fan, but this was not my favourite recipe.
We made it with the coconut milk instead of the heavy cream, and I think that’s where we went wrong. The coconut flavours combined with the cheese and lemon seemed conflicting and I found the lemon made it very acidic. I would recommend using the heavy cream and possibly cutting down on the lemon juice or using zest instead of juice to cut the acidity.
Hey Amy,
So sorry you did not enjoy the recipe, please let me know if I can help in anyway! xTieghan
This recipe is SO good! I added some roasted asparagus to the sauce at the end, and served the whole thing over a little brown rice to make it just a little hardier. Love all your recipes, thank you!!
Hey Lia,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
My husband loves me. And, after me, he loves this salmon. ? I’m making it again tomorrow! With vegetable cream instead of double cream, because fat and all that. ?
Thank you so much for being there for us!
Sofia
Hey Sofia,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend☀️ xTieghan
I have cooked this recipe SO many times! One of our go tos in our family. Thank you thank you!
Hey Brooke,
Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan