Creamy Garlic Salmon Recipe (Because Weeknight Dinners Deserve Main Character Energy)
This creamy garlic salmon is what happens when a 20-minute dinner decides it’s too good for mediocrity. Rich, garlicky sauce? Check. Perfectly seared salmon? Obviously. Minimal effort that makes you look like you know what you’re doing? Always. It’s the kind of dish that screams “I cook,” even if your fridge only has oat milk and questionable lettuce.
Creamy Garlic Salmon
Course: FishServings
4
servingsPrep time
10
minutesCooking time
15
minutesCalories
450
kcalIngredients
4–6 salmon fillets (skin on or off, your choice)
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
5–6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 lemon
Salt & black pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil or butter (for searing)
Optional garnish: chopped parsley or chives
Directions
- Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil or butter. Once hot, place salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on) and sear for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and just cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, lower the heat to medium. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant (don’t let it burn). Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in lemon zest and juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the sauce over each fillet. Let it simmer together for 1–2 minutes to reheat the salmon.
- Serve hot, garnished with parsley or chives if desired. Pairs beautifully with rice, mashed potatoes, or sautéed greens.