If you’re craving a dinner that feels fancy but comes together in no time, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is your new go-to. With tender salmon swimming in a dreamy garlic butter cream sauce, it’s comfort and elegance all on one plate—let me show you how to nail it every time.

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

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is honestly one of those dishes I make when I want to impress without stress. The sauce is so rich and flavorful, it feels like restaurant dining in your own kitchen.

Super simple ingredients: You probably already have most of them in your pantry and fridge—no need for fancy purchases.
Quick to cook: It takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, which is perfect for busy weeknights.
Creamy garlic butter sauce: This sauce elevates the salmon and will have you spooning every last drop.
Easy to customize: Whether you want to kick up the heat or add fresh herbs, this recipe’s super flexible.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe plays a vital role: the salmon gives you that flaky, tender texture, while the garlic butter cream sauce adds richness without overpowering the fish. Here are some shopping tips to make sure you get the best results.

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: Look for fresh, skin-on fillets if you can—skin helps the salmon hold together when pan-frying and adds crispiness.
Olive oil: Use a good-quality olive oil to get a nice sear on the salmon without burning.
Butter: This is key for that silky sauce and basting—don’t skimp here!
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic punches up the flavor way better than powders.
Dry white wine (optional): Adds acidity and depth—if you don’t have it or prefer not to use wine, just skip it and the sauce will still be delicious.
Chicken broth: Provides a savory base that lightens the cream a little bit.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce beautifully creamy and luscious.
Parmesan cheese: Gives a subtle nutty, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
Fresh parsley: Adds a bright, herbaceous finish—don’t forget it!

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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 play around with. I love adding a little lemon zest or a handful of baby spinach right into the sauce sometimes—it totally changes the vibe.

Variation: When I’m in the mood for a little heat, I sprinkle red pepper flakes into the garlic butter sauce—that spicy kick is fantastic!
Herbs swap: Try swapping parsley with dill or thyme for different layers of flavor; dill adds a fresh, bright note that pairs wonderfully with salmon.
Extra veggies: Adding diced shallots or onions with the garlic adds a lovely sweetness and depth I often crave.
Go citrus: A quick marinade of lemon juice on the salmon before cooking adds a zing that cuts through the richness beautifully.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear the Salmon

First, pat your salmon fillets dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. I like to get a nice hot skillet going with olive oil, then carefully lay the salmon skin-side down (if it has skin). Cook for about 4 minutes on each side depending on thickness, until you see that beautiful golden crust forming. Try not to move the fillets too much—this helps that crust develop and keeps your salmon intact.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

Once the salmon is seared, remove most of the oil but leave a little in the pan. Add butter and let it melt, then tilt the pan to spoon the buttery goodness over the fillets for a few seconds. Then take the salmon out and set it aside cozy and warm.

In the same pan, toss in the minced garlic, sautéing it for just about 30 seconds until fragrant—watch carefully so it doesn't burn. If you’re using white wine, add it now and let it simmer for 2 minutes to burn off the alcohol. This step is optional but adds a nice acidity boost.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

Lower the heat to medium-low, then pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, which will melt and help thicken the sauce beautifully. Season with chopped parsley and adjust salt and pepper to your taste. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken—it should coat the back of your spoon.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pop the salmon back in the pan and spoon some sauce over each fillet. Let everything warm through for just a couple of minutes—you don’t want to overcook the salmon now. Once warmed, plate it up, drizzle more sauce on top, and sprinkle fresh parsley for that pretty, fresh touch.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe countless times, and a few things really help make it shine every time. These little tweaks keep the texture perfect and the sauce irresistibly creamy.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Giving your salmon space means a better sear and avoids steaming the fish.
Use medium-high heat to start: This helps develop a golden crust without burning, then reduce the heat for the sauce.
Spoon the melted butter over salmon: This basting step keeps the fish moist and infuses flavor right during cooking.
Simmer sauce gently: Avoid boiling the cream sauce; slow cooking keeps it silky without splitting.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Garlic Butter Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley—that herbal brightness really cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I add thin lemon slices or a quick lemon zest to bring a vibrant pop of citrus that livens up the whole plate.

Side Dishes

My favorite sides for this are garlicky roasted asparagus or buttery mashed potatoes—they soak up the sauce perfectly. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette also balances the richness nicely if you want something fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like plating the salmon over a bed of creamy risotto or even swooshing some vibrant pesto on the plate for color contrast. Garnishes like edible flowers or microgreens really make it feel like a restaurant-worthy dish at home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which I hope you do!), store the salmon and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best eaten within 2 days to enjoy the freshness, but it still tastes great reheated.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cooked salmon with the sauce successfully by sealing it tightly in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop—though fresh is always better for texture and flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the salmon slowly over low heat in a pan covered with a lid. This prevents drying out, and adding a splash of cream or broth to the sauce helps keep it luscious. Avoid microwaving if you can since it can toughen the fish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of fish in this recipe?

Absolutely! While salmon works beautifully because of its rich flavor and firm texture, you can try similar fatty fish like trout or Arctic char. Just adjust cooking times for thickness and delicate texture.

What if I don’t want to use wine in the sauce?

No worries at all! The wine is optional and mainly adds some acidity and depth. You can simply skip it and continue with chicken broth and cream—the sauce will still be incredibly tasty and creamy. Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavor as well.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked perfectly?

Look for salmon that flakes easily with a fork but still feels moist inside. The outside should have a nice golden sear. Depending on thickness, cooking about 4 minutes per side is usually perfect. Remember that it will continue to cook a bit when you add it back to the sauce.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and use coconut cream or a creamy non-dairy milk instead of heavy cream. Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan for a cheesy flavor. The sauce texture and taste will be a bit different but still delicious!

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is one of those dishes that I come back to whenever I want something special that still feels effortless. The combination of buttery, garlicky sauce and tender, flaky salmon just hits all the right notes. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll enjoy how impressive it looks and how satisfying it tastes, all without a ton of fuss.