If you’re craving something that feels decadent but comes together in a snap, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s rich, garlicky, and buttery goodness wrapped around perfectly seared salmon, making weeknight dinners feel a little fancy.

creamy garlic salmon - A close-up view of two cooked salmon fillets with a crispy golden-brown surface, lying flat in a white creamy sauce inside a pan. The sauce is being poured over the fillet from a spoon above, showing a smooth, thick texture with green herbs scattered throughout. Small chopped green parsley leaves and black pepper bits are sprinkled over the salmon and the sauce, adding color contrast. The background shows the dark edge of the pan, and the base beneath the pan is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited about this recipe because it’s one of those dishes that feels special but doesn’t take hours or a ton of fancy ingredients. Plus, the creamy garlic butter sauce is seriously addictive—my whole family asks me to make it time and again.

Simple yet indulgent: You only need a handful of ingredients to create a restaurant-quality salmon dinner.
Quick to prepare: From seasoning to plating, it takes about 20 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Flavor-packed sauce: The buttery garlic cream sauce with Parmesan adds richness without overwhelming the salmon.
Customizable: You can tweak herbs, add zest or spice, and pair it with sides you love—it’s super versatile.

creamy garlic salmon - A white plate holds three sections of food arranged side by side: a mound of smooth, white mashed potatoes with black pepper sprinkled on top on the left, a cluster of bright green steamed broccolini with a slight shine and crisp texture at the top, and a golden-brown grilled salmon fillet on the right, topped with a creamy white herb sauce sprinkled with small green parsley pieces. A silver fork rests partly on the salmon and mashed potatoes. The plate is set on a white marbled surface, with a woman's hand holding the fork. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every part of this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe plays a role in balancing flavor and texture. The salmon fillets bring buttery richness, while garlic and Parmesan amp up the savory notes. I always try to pick the freshest salmon I can find for the best taste.

creamy garlic salmon - Flat lay of fresh pink salmon fillets with their smooth, slightly shiny surface, scattered bright green chopped parsley leaves, whole garlic cloves with their papery white skins and creamy texture, rich golden butter blocks melting slightly at the edges, wedges of lemon with juicy yellow pulp and shiny rinds, a small pile of grated Parmesan cheese with its fine, crumbly texture, and a few sprigs of fresh thyme with tiny green leaves, all beautifully arranged with natural spacing and gentle overlapping, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Salmon fillets: Fresh or thawed, skin-on or off—make sure they're about 5-8 oz each for even cooking.
Olive oil: A light flavor and high smoke point helps sear the salmon nicely.
Butter: Crucial for richness and that luscious garlic butter sauce flavor.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is a must; it infuses the sauce with intense aroma.
Dry white wine (optional): Adds subtle acidity and depth; if you skip it, just add a bit more chicken broth.
Chicken broth: Keeps the sauce light and savory without overpowering the creaminess.
Heavy cream: The star ingredient for that silky, velvety sauce that clings to the salmon.
Parmesan cheese: Adds nuttiness and helps thicken the sauce gently.
Fresh parsley: Brightens up the plate with color and freshness, balancing the richness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to switch things up here and there with this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe. Sometimes I add a little kick or swap the herbs to match whatever’s in my garden. You should feel free to personalize it—it’s all about making it your own!

Variation: Adding a handful of baby spinach into the sauce just before simmering makes it a heartier, veggie-packed meal—and I adore how the greens wilt perfectly.
Dairy-free option: Try coconut cream instead of heavy cream and use nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for a twist that still gives you creamy depth.
Zesty freshness: I sometimes toss in capers or finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the sauce, especially in spring and summer.
Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes gives a nice warmth without overpowering the other flavors.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear Your Salmon

Start by patting your salmon fillets dry—that’s key for a nice sear. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then place the salmon skin-side down if it has skin. Cook about 4 minutes per side until beautifully golden and cooked through. Don’t crowd the pan; give each piece room so it sears instead of steams.

Step 2: Create That Velvety Garlic Butter Sauce

After you’ve seared the salmon, leave just a bit of oil in the pan and stir in butter. Tilt the pan and spoon melted butter over the salmon to keep it luscious. Then, remove the salmon carefully and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, roughly 30 seconds—watch it closely so it doesn’t burn.

Step 3: Build Your Sauce Layers

If you’re using white wine, pour it in now and let it simmer until reduced by half; this step adds a subtle tanginess. Then pour in your chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese and let it melt into the sauce while seasoning with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley. Lower the heat and allow the sauce to thicken, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Rewarm the Salmon and Serve

Pop the salmon back into the pan with the sauce and simmer gently for a few more minutes until heated through. Spoon the luscious garlic butter sauce over each piece and sprinkle a bit more parsley before plating. Serve hot and dive in!

Top Tip

From many weeks of tweaking this recipe, a few tricks have made all the difference in nailing that perfect creamy garlic butter salmon every time. Trust me on these—they keep your salmon juicy and your sauce flawless!

Pat your salmon dry: Moisture is the enemy of good searing, so use paper towels before seasoning.
Watch the garlic closely: Garlic burns fast and turns bitter; sauté just until fragrant to keep it sweet and mellow.
Use fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese can clump and won’t melt as smoothly; fresh grated makes the sauce silky.
Simmer gently: When thickening the cream sauce, keep the heat low to prevent curdling and preserve the delicate flavors.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

creamy garlic salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley—it adds color and a bright note against the rich sauce. Sometimes I add a few lemon wedges on the side to squeeze over the salmon just before eating, which really wakes up the flavors.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this are roasted asparagus or garlic butter green beans. Creamy mashed potatoes or a light lemony rice pilaf also pair beautifully—you want something that can soak up that luscious sauce!

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I love plating the salmon atop a bed of sautéed spinach and drizzling the sauce over with a little extra Parmesan. Garnishing with microgreens or edible flowers instantly elevates the dish and impresses guests without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To keep the salmon juicy, I recommend gently reheating it with the creamy sauce—this helps preserve moisture better than reheating dry fillets.

Freezing

While I don’t personally freeze salmon with creamy sauces because the texture can change, if you must, freeze the salmon and sauce separately. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in a pan.

Reheating

To reheat, warm your skillet over low heat and add the leftover salmon along with the sauce, covering gently. This prevents the salmon from drying out and keeps your creamy garlic butter sauce silky smooth as when freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw it completely in the fridge before cooking, then pat it dry well to get that perfect sear.

What if I don’t have white wine on hand?

No worries! You can skip the wine entirely or replace it with a little extra chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice to maintain that bright flavor.

How do I prevent the cream sauce from curdling?

Keep the heat on medium-low once you add the cream, and stir frequently. Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously—gentle simmering keeps it silky smooth.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine, use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream, and nutritional yeast for Parmesan flavor. The sauce will be different but still delicious and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to whip up when I want comfort food that feels a little indulgent without the fuss. It’s the kind of meal where you can pour a glass of wine, relax, and enjoy the wonderful flavors you just created. I hope you give it a try—it’s pretty much guaranteed to become your weeknight hit too!