If you’re craving something rich, flavorful, and downright comforting, you’re going to love this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe. It’s one of those dishes I keep coming back to when I want an elegant meal that feels like a treat but is surprisingly simple to make. Stick around—I'll walk you through the easy steps and little tricks to nail it every time.

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

Let me tell you why this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe holds a special place in my dinner rotation. It’s rich and velvety, without being overwhelming, and the garlic butter sauce is pure magic paired with perfectly pan-seared salmon. Believe me, once you try this, you’ll be hooked!

Simple yet elegant: You only need one pan, making clean-up a breeze after a fancy-tasting dinner.
Fast cooking: Ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Rich, creamy sauce: The garlic butter and Parmesan cream sauce is indulgent but balanced.
Flexible flavor: It’s easy to tweak with herbs or spices to suit your mood or pantry.

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

Each ingredient in this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe plays a starring role. I always focus on fresh salmon – the better the fish, the better the final dish. The creamy sauce brings everything together with buttery richness and subtle tang from Parmesan. Here’s what you’ll need, plus why each ingredient is important.

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: I choose fresh, skin-on fillets about 5-8 oz. each for perfect size and flavor — skin helps crispiness too.
Salt and pepper: Basic but vital — seasoning the fish well brings out its natural flavors.
Olive oil: Provides a good searing base without overpowering taste.
Butter: Adds that luscious, creamy background flavor and richness in the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses the sauce with aromatic punch.
Dry white wine (optional): Adds a subtle acidity and depth — if you’re avoiding alcohol, you can skip this.
Chicken broth: A savory, mild foundation for the cream sauce that balances richness.
Heavy cream: Creates the silky creamy texture that makes the dish so indulgent.
Parmesan cheese: Adds savory umami and helps thicken the sauce beautifully.
Fresh parsley: A pop of color and freshness to brighten every bite.

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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

One of the best things about this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Over time, I’ve played around with herbs, added extra aromatics, and even kicked up the heat just a notch to keep it exciting.

Variation: I sometimes swap parsley for fresh dill when I want a more vibrant, slightly tangy note — try it, you might love it!
Spinach addition: Toss in a handful of baby spinach to the sauce near the end for some extra green goodness.
Lemon zest or juice: Either marinade your salmon briefly in lemon juice or finish the dish with a squeeze — it cuts through the richness beautifully.
Spicy twist: Adding red pepper flakes is my go-to if I’m craving a little zing without stealing the spotlight.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear the Salmon

Start by patting your salmon fillets dry and seasoning both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place fillets skin-side down (if they have skin) and cook without moving for about 4 minutes, or until the skin crisps and the edges turn opaque. Flip carefully and cook the other side about 3-4 minutes more, depending on thickness. You’re aiming for a golden crust with a tender center. Pro tip: Don’t overcrowd your pan — work in batches if needed to keep that beautiful sear.

Step 2: Butter-Baste and Remove

After flipping, drop the butter into the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the salmon constantly with the melted butter — this keeps the fish moist and adds amazing flavor. Once done, remove the salmon to a plate, but keep the pan and juices for the sauce.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

Lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté just until fragrant—about 30 seconds. If you opt to use white wine, pour it in now and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce and get rid of the alcohol. Next, stir in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then sprinkle in the grated Parmesan and stir until melted and smooth. Season with fresh parsley, salt, and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Return the salmon to the pan, nestling it gently into the creamy sauce. Let it warm through for a couple of minutes so each fillet soaks up those flavors. Spoon the sauce over the top and sprinkle with extra parsley to brighten up the plate. Serve immediately while everything’s luxuriously silky and flavorful.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few tricks making this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe that really elevate the end result. These tips will help you get that perfect balance of crispy sear and indulgent sauce every time.

Pat your salmon dry: Moisture is the enemy of a good sear. Dab your fillets with paper towels before seasoning.
Don’t rush the sear: Give the salmon time to develop a crust before flipping, it releases easily when ready.
Butter baste generously: It locks in moisture while infusing rich buttery garlic flavor.
Simmer sauce gently: High heat can break cream sauces, so keep it low and stir often to keep it smooth.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Creamy Garlic Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top my salmon with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—it adds that lovely fresh green pop and lightens the dish. Sometimes, I add a lemon wedge on the side for an optional bright squeeze that cuts through the richness perfectly.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides tend to be super simple, like roasted or steamed asparagus, buttery mashed potatoes, or a crisp green salad. The richness of the salmon pairs beautifully with these lighter, fresh sides.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like to plate each salmon fillet atop a swirl of creamy risotto or garlic mashed cauliflower, then drizzle the sauce around. Garnishing with extra herbs and lemon slices makes it look restaurant-worthy with minimal effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover salmon and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps the sauce from thinning out the fish and helps preserve texture and flavor.

Freezing

Salmon freezes well, but the creamy sauce can sometimes separate when thawed. If you want to freeze, I recommend freezing the salmon fillets plain and making a fresh batch of sauce when ready to eat.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, warm the sauce gently on low heat and add the salmon pieces towards the end just to warm through. Microwaving can make the sauce break or the fish rubbery, so stovetop reheating is best.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen salmon — just make sure it is fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to get a good sear. Frozen salmon might release more water, so drying it well is key.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk thickened with a little flour or cornstarch. Keep in mind it won’t be as rich or thick, but it’ll still taste lovely.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap butter for olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative, use coconut cream or a dairy-free cream substitute, and omit the Parmesan or replace it with a vegan cheese option.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked perfectly?

The salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork but still looks moist in the center. Generally, cooking 4 minutes per side on medium-high heat works well for standard fillets. Baking or using a thermometer (about 125°F for medium) helps if you’re unsure.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe feels like a restaurant dish but you’re making it in your own kitchen, with love and simple ingredients. It’s one of those go-to recipes that impresses yet comforts, and I can’t wait for you to give it a try. Once you do, I’d bet it’ll become a staple in your dinner plans too. Happy cooking!