If you're craving something rich, flavorful, and downright satisfying, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is a total game-changer. It's one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together effortlessly—perfect for a cozy weeknight or impressing guests without the stress. Trust me, once you try it, this salmon will become your new favorite go-to.

Garlic Butter 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

Honestly, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe stole my heart the first time I made it. It’s that perfect balance of silky cream sauce and tender salmon, with just the right garlicky punch. Plus, it’s simple enough that you feel like a kitchen pro every time!

Super creamy and flavorful: The garlic butter sauce with Parmesan creates a luscious coating that takes salmon to the next level.
Quick to prepare: From start to finish, it’s ready in about 20 minutes, great for busy evenings.
Versatile and customizable: You can tweak the herbs or add things like lemon or capers to suit your mood.
Impresses everyone: Whether it’s a family dinner or a date night, it feels special without the fuss.

Garlic Butter 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

This recipe's magic lies in simple, fresh ingredients that come together beautifully. The creamy sauce complements the salmon perfectly, and the Parmesan adds that umami kick that keeps you coming back for more. Here's why each ingredient matters:

Garlic Butter 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: Choose fresh or thawed skinless fillets for a tender, flaky texture.
Olive oil: Great for searing and adds a subtle fruitiness.
Butter: Essential for richness and helps mellow the garlic flavors.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers an aromatic punch that wakes up the sauce.
Dry white wine (optional): Adds depth and brightness, but you can skip or substitute chicken broth if needed.
Chicken broth: Balances richness and helps create a luscious sauce base.
Heavy cream: The heart of the sauce, making it silky and decadent.
Parmesan cheese: Brings savory, nutty notes that enrich the sauce beautifully.
Fresh parsley: Adds freshness and a pop of color at the end.

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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 like to think of this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe as a flexible canvas. Sometimes I add a little twist depending on what I have on hand or the occasion. Go ahead and make it yours!

Variation: Adding a handful of baby spinach into the cream sauce is one of my favorite personal tweaks—it sneaks in some greens without changing the delicious flavor.
Herb swaps: If you prefer, dill or thyme also play nicely with salmon and cream sauce.
Heat it up: When I’m craving a little spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes goes straight into the sauce.
Fresh zing: Sometimes I marinate the salmon briefly in lemon juice or add a few capers to the sauce for a bright, briny contrast.

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, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then lay your salmon skinless side down. Cook about 4 minutes without moving to get that gorgeous golden crust, then flip and cook the other side until just done—it should still be moist inside. Don’t overcrowd the pan; work in batches if needed.

Step 2: Baste with Butter and Remove Salmon

Reduce excess oil if your pan looks too oily, leaving a little behind. Add butter and melt it, then tilt the pan and use a spoon to baste the butter over the salmon fillets repeatedly. This helps seal in flavor and adds richness. Once basted, remove the salmon carefully and set it aside while we make the sauce.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Add Liquid

With the pan still warm, throw in your minced garlic and cook just until fragrant—about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn it! If you’re using white wine, pour it in now and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly. This step adds brightness and depth, but if you skip wine, just go straight to the next step.

Step 4: Add Broth, Cream, and Cheese

Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir gently to combine, then add your grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts into that gorgeous sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle in the fresh parsley for a lovely burst of fresh herb flavor.

Step 5: Simmer and Finish

Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens nicely. Then nestle your salmon back into the pan, spooning sauce over the top, and warm everything together for a few more minutes. This ensures the salmon absorbs some of those creamy, garlicky juices.

Top Tip

After making this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really lift the dish from good to incredible. Here are the top tips I’d share with you:

Don’t overcook your salmon: It’s tempting to make sure it’s fully done, but pulling it off the heat right when it flakes easily keeps it moist and tender.
Sear first, then sauce: Searing the salmon gives it texture and flavor that’s unmatched if you just bake it in sauce.
Use fresh garlic: It makes all the difference in flavor over garlic powder or pre-minced stuff.
Simmer gently: Keep the sauce on medium-low heat to prevent cream from curdling and to melt the Parmesan properly.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this salmon with a simple sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley—it adds an inviting pop of color and fresh scent. For an extra zing, occasionally I add thin lemon wedges on the side or a dash of zesty capers right into the sauce just before serving.

Side Dishes

One of my favorite combos is steamed asparagus or garlic-roasted green beans alongside buttery mashed potatoes. Cauliflower rice or a light arugula salad also plays nicely if you want something lighter. Honestly, this salmon pairs well with almost any green vegetable or simple grain.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes plate the salmon over a bed of creamy risotto or swirl the sauce artistically around the fillets for that restaurant-worthy wow. Adding a sprinkle of edible flowers or bright microgreens can elevate the presentation beautifully, impressing guests with minimal extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover salmon and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 2 days, but I recommend enjoying it sooner rather than later for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

While you can freeze cooked salmon with cream sauce, I’ve found the texture changes slightly after thawing. If you plan to freeze, do so before adding cream, storing the seared salmon and sauce base separately.

Reheating

To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave using short bursts, stirring the sauce to prevent any separation. Adding a splash of cream or broth when reheating can help maintain the sauce’s creamy consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw the salmon and pat it dry before cooking. This helps you get that lovely sear and prevents excess moisture from steam-cooking the fish.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

If you want a lighter option, use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a little flour to thicken, but keep in mind the sauce won't be quite as rich. Coconut cream is a great dairy-free alternative for a similar texture with a slight coconut flavor.

Can I make this recipe without wine?

Absolutely. White wine is optional here—it adds complexity, but replacing it with an equal amount of chicken broth or just skipping it entirely still yields a delicious sauce.

How do I know when the salmon is perfectly cooked?

Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork but still looks moist and slightly translucent in the thickest part. Overcooking will dry it out, so it’s better to undercook slightly as the residual heat will finish the job when simmering in the sauce.

Final Thoughts

If you want a recipe that marries effortless cooking with irresistible flavor, give this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe a try. It’s been a beloved classic in my kitchen, impressing family and friends without making me break a sweat. I hope it becomes one of your kitchen staples too—because honestly, who can say no to buttery, garlicky salmon that feels both indulgent and comforting at the same time?