If you’re looking for a weeknight dinner that feels fancy but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is your new best friend. It’s rich, velvety, and bursting with garlicky goodness—perfect for impressing yourself and anyone lucky enough to share your table.

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 remember the first time I tried creamy garlic butter salmon—it instantly became a cozy favorite. The blend of buttery sauce with garlic and Parmesan creates a decadent, restaurant-quality meal right at home, without any fuss. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your dinner rotation.

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of what’s needed in your pantry, making it super accessible.
Quick to Make: From start to finish, it’s ready in about 20 minutes—perfect for busy evenings.
Rich and Creamy Sauce: The creamy garlic butter sauce elevates the salmon’s natural flavor beautifully.
Customizable: You can easily tweak herbs or add some zest 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

The magic of this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe lies in balancing fresh, simple ingredients that complement each other. Each component plays a role to build a rich, flavorful sauce that clings perfectly to tender salmon.

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: Opt for fresh or thawed fillets with skin off for even cooking and easy plating.
Olive oil: Adds a light earthiness and helps sear the salmon to a golden perfection.
Butter: Essential for that rich, silky sauce and for basting the salmon while cooking.
Garlic: Fresh minced cloves bring the bold, aromatic punch that defines this sauce.
Dry white wine (optional): Introduces acidity that balances the richness—skip it if you prefer or substitute with extra broth.
Chicken broth: Adds depth without overpowering the delicate fish.
Heavy cream: Creates the luscious, creamy texture for the sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Provides savory umami and helps thicken the sauce.
Fresh parsley: A pop of color and freshness to finish the dish.

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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 adaptable it is. I often tweak the herbs or add a little zest depending on what’s in season or what mood I’m in—but no matter the variation, it remains a crowd-pleaser.

Variation: I like swapping parsley for dill or thyme to change the flavor profile—dill gives it a lovely brightness, especially when served with lemon.
Add Aromatics: Sometimes I throw in finely diced shallots with the garlic for an extra layer of sweetness and depth.
Make it Zesty: Adding a few lemon slices or a splash of lemon juice at the end really brightens the creamy sauce.
Add Heat: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick without overpowering the dish.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear Your Salmon

First things first—pat your salmon dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. I like using a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil. When the pan’s hot and shimmering, place the salmon skin-side down (or just one side if skinless). Cook for about 4 minutes until you get a beautiful golden crust. Flip carefully and cook the other side for another 4 minutes, depending on thickness. You want it cooked through but still tender and juicy. Pro tip: Don’t move the salmon too much while it’s searing—let it develop that crust.

Step 2: Butter Basting and Remove Salmon

Once your salmon is beautifully seared, tilt the pan and add the butter. Use a spoon to gently baste the salmon with melted butter for about a minute—this adds extra richness and locks in moisture. Then transfer your salmon to a plate to keep warm while you whip up the sauce.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Build the Sauce

In the same pan, sauté the minced garlic in the remaining butter and a splash of olive oil, just until fragrant—about 30 seconds or less. Avoid browning because burnt garlic can make the sauce bitter. If you’re using wine, pour it in now and let it simmer until it evaporates, about 2 minutes. This step adds a lovely depth; if you skip the wine, just move straight to adding broth and cream.

Step 4: Finish the Cream Sauce

Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Then sprinkle in your Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth. The sauce will thicken slightly as it simmers for 2-3 minutes. Finish with fresh parsley and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Reintroduce Salmon and Serve

Carefully nestle the salmon back into the creamy sauce and let it warm through for a couple of minutes. I like to spoon the sauce over my fillets generously before plating—because, honestly, more sauce = more joy! Garnish with extra parsley for color and serve immediately.

Top Tip

From making this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned that a few small details really make a difference in the final result.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give each fillet enough space for that perfect golden sear instead of steaming.
Pat salmon dry: Moisture on the surface hinders browning—a quick pat will make your salmon nice and crispy.
Use fresh garlic: It’s fragrant and sharp; garlic powder won’t give you the same flavor depth.
Simmer sauce gently: Too high heat can break the cream sauce, so keep it low to maintain that silky texture.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Creamy Garlic Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with fresh chopped parsley and a few lemon wedges on the side; they add just enough brightness to balance the richness without overpowering the dish.

Side Dishes

For sides, I love pairing this salmon with garlic mashed potatoes or steamed asparagus. Sometimes I’ll do a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess. Roasted vegetables also work beautifully if you want something heartier.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like serving the salmon atop a bed of sautéed baby spinach or wild rice, drizzled with the sauce and finished with edible flowers or microgreens. It looks fancy but is easy to pull together—and everyone always asks for the recipe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which I hope you do!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge within two hours of cooking. The salmon stays surprisingly tender, and the sauce helps keep it moist.

Freezing

I usually don’t freeze cooked salmon with cream sauce because it can separate, but if you want to prep ahead, freeze the cooked salmon and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight and gently reheat to maintain the best texture.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the salmon and sauce together in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the salmon dry and sauce grainy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to fully thaw and pat the salmon dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture interfering with the sear.

Is the white wine necessary in the creamy garlic butter sauce?

Nope, the wine is optional. It adds a nice depth and brightness but you can skip it without sacrificing much flavor by increasing the chicken broth slightly.

How do I know when the salmon is perfectly cooked?

Look for a nice golden crust on the outside while the inside remains moist and slightly translucent in the thickest part. It will continue to cook a bit after removing from heat, so it’s okay to take it off just before it feels fully done.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative and use coconut cream or another plant-based cream in place of heavy cream. Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe feels like a little celebration on a plate every time I make it. The flavors and textures—you just can’t beat that buttery sauce paired with flaky salmon. I hope you’ll give it a try and find it as comforting and delicious as I do. After all, good food shared is the best kind of joy.