Salmon with Garlic Cream Sauce Recipe | Elegant & Easy Dinner
Make salmon with garlic cream sauce for a rich, elegant dinner. Tender salmon fillets topped with velvety garlic cream sauce — perfect for weeknights, family meals, or special occasions.
Equipment
- Skillet or sauté pan
- Mixing bowls
- Cutting board and knife
- Whisk or spoon
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan or splash of white wine (optional)
- Fresh herbs: parsley, dill, or tarragon
- Optional: lemon zest, spinach, or mushrooms
Instructions
- Prepare salmon: Pat fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Pan-sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place salmon skin-side down and sear 4–5 minutes. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until just cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in cream, stirring to combine. Simmer 3–5 minutes until thickened. Add Parmesan or wine if desired, then stir in fresh herbs.
- Combine: Return salmon to skillet, spooning sauce over fillets. Warm together for 1–2 minutes.
- Serve: Plate salmon over rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with lemon zest or extra herbs.
Notes
- Tip: Pat salmon dry before searing for crispy edges.
- Make-ahead: Sauce can be prepared separately and refrigerated; reheat gently before serving.
- Variations: Try spinach or mushroom cream sauce, lemon-garlic for brightness, or coconut cream for dairy-free.
- Serving idea: Present salmon on a platter with sauce drizzled over for dinner parties.