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Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Skillet

Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Skillet
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The Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Skillet is a quick, indulgent, and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender, flaky salmon in a rich garlic butter cream sauce, perfect for an impressive yet effortless dinner packed with omega-3 nutrients.

Ingredients

Scale

Salmon and Searing

  • 4 skin-on salmon fillets (fresh or thawed)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or dill), chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This helps create a flavorful crust during cooking.
  2. Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and the fillets are halfway cooked through, then gently flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the salmon and set aside.
  3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it turns bitter quickly.
  4. Add Cream and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and stir well, scraping any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, creating a thick, creamy sauce.
  5. Finish the Dish: Return the salmon to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the fillets. Add a splash of fresh lemon juice for brightness and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm through and allow flavors to meld.

Notes

  • Use room temperature salmon to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
  • Don’t overcrowd the skillet; give salmon space to sear properly for a perfect crust.
  • Monitor heat carefully; medium heat keeps garlic from burning and sauces from splitting.
  • Grate Parmesan fresh for better melting and a richer sauce texture.
  • Let the skillet rest off heat for a minute before serving so the sauce thickens nicely.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon, garlic butter sauce, creamy salmon skillet, quick dinner, healthy fish recipe, one-pan meal, omega-3 rich

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/creamy-garlic-butter-salmon-skillet/