If you’re craving a quick, elegant dinner that feels fancy but comes together in no time, you’ve hit the jackpot. This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is everything you want—rich, garlicky, buttery salmon swimming in a luscious cream sauce that’s simply irresistible.

Creamy Garlic Salmon - A close-up of two pieces of cooked salmon fillets with a golden brown crust, placed side by side in a pan. A creamy white sauce with green herb bits is being poured over the top fillet from a spoon, covering part of its surface. The sauce pools around the fish, and chopped fresh green herbs are sprinkled across the salmon and sauce. The pan has a dark edge, and the focus is on the rich textures of the fish and sauce. 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 always keep this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe in my weeknight dinner rotation because it’s reliable, delicious, and feels like a treat without hours or fuss. It’s one of those dishes that impresses guests but honestly, you’ll just love making it for yourself!

Flavor Explosion: The combination of garlic, butter, and Parmesan in a creamy sauce makes this salmon insanely flavorful and rich without being overwhelming.
Speedy & Simple: It takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, so it’s perfect for busy nights but still feels special.
Versatile & Customizable: Whether you want to add herbs, spice, or extra veggies, this recipe easily adapts to your mood or pantry.
Impressive Yet Beginner-Friendly: You don’t need to be a pro chef to nail this—just a little love and attention, and you’re golden.

Creamy Garlic Salmon - A black plate holds three main parts: bright green broccolini placed at the top, white mashed potatoes with some black pepper sprinkled on top on the left, and a piece of cooked salmon on the right. The salmon has a light golden crust and is topped with a creamy white sauce and green herb bits scattered over it. A fork rests on the plate, touching the salmon, and the surface beneath the plate is white marble. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe has a role that brings it all together beautifully. From the rich butter to the tangy Parmesan, each flavor layer complements the salmon perfectly.

Creamy Garlic Salmon - Flat lay of four fresh, vibrant pink salmon fillets with smooth, shiny skin, surrounded by plump, creamy white garlic cloves, rich golden butter blocks with a soft texture, bright green parsley sprigs with delicate leaves, and a wedge of pale yellow Parmesan cheese with a slightly crumbly surface, all arranged naturally with scattered garlic cloves and parsley leaves adding freshness and color contrast, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Salmon fillets: Use fresh or thawed wild-caught or farmed salmon — the fat content really helps keep it moist and tender in the creamy sauce.
Olive oil: A light olive oil helps the salmon sear nicely without overpowering the flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create that silky, decadent sauce we all love.
Garlic cloves: Freshly minced for maximum aroma and that signature garlicky kick.
Dry white wine (optional): Adds a subtle depth and acidity, though you can skip it if you prefer—chicken broth alone works well too.
Chicken broth: A flavorful liquid base that balances the creaminess without being heavy.
Heavy cream: The star of the sauce; gives it that dreamy, velvety texture you’ll want to spoon onto everything.
Parmesan cheese: Adds saltiness and umami, melting right into the sauce for layered flavor.
Fresh parsley: Brings a fresh, herbal brightness to finish off the dish beautifully.

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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 my favorite things about this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you want to add some extra veggies or dial up the heat, there’s room to make it truly yours.

Variation: I love tossing in a handful of baby spinach into the cream sauce near the end for a pop of color and nutrients without changing the texture.
Herbs swap: Sometimes I swap the parsley for fresh dill or thyme, depending on what’s in the fridge — both add a lovely twist.
Spice it up: For a little kick, try adding red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic — it adds subtle heat that wakes up the sauce.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear Your Salmon to Perfection

Start by seasoning those beautiful salmon fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat your skillet over medium-high with olive oil and gently lay the fillets skin-side down (if your salmon has skin). Cook for around 4 minutes per side until golden and crisp on the edges but still moist inside. This step locks in flavor and texture that makes the dish special.

Step 2: Create That Luxurious Garlic Butter Sauce

After removing the salmon (don’t forget to keep it warm!), melt the butter in the same pan. Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter all over the salmon for some extra flavor. Next, sauté minced garlic until it’s fragrant—the smell in your kitchen here is going to be amazing! If you’re using wine, add it now and let it simmer down for a couple of minutes.

Step 3: Bring on the Cream and Parmesan

Lower the heat and pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese in and stir gently until melted and the sauce thickens. Season with fresh parsley, and taste for salt and pepper. This sauce is pure velvet—a must-try experience.

Step 4: Warm It All Together

Return the salmon to the pan and let it warm through in the sauce for a few minutes. This step lets the flavors mingle beautifully and your salmon will be tender, juicy, and rich with that garlicky cream sauce clinging to every bite.

Top Tip

After making this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few valuable tips that really make a difference in how it turns out every single time. These little pointers will help you avoid common pitfalls and get that restaurant-quality finish at home.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking salmon fillets too close together prevents a crisp sear. Give them room so they brown properly.
Low and Slow for the Sauce: When adding cream, keep the heat medium-low to prevent curdling and keep the sauce smooth.
Spoon Butter Over Salmon: When the butter melts, use a spoon to drizzle it over the fish — this keeps it moist and packed with flavor.
Season in Layers: Season both the salmon and the sauce to taste — this layers the flavors beautifully without being salty.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe

Creamy Garlic Salmon - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this salmon with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley for color and a lemon wedge on the side for a bright zing. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little lemon zest right over the top—it brings the whole dish alive!

Side Dishes

For sides, you can’t go wrong with garlic mashed potatoes or a simple buttered asparagus. I also enjoy serving it alongside roasted baby potatoes or a fresh, crisp salad to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’m serving this for a special dinner, I like to plate each salmon fillet over a bed of creamy risotto, then drizzle the garlic butter sauce around the plate with a few microgreens scattered on top for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the salmon and sauce together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so stirring in a splash of broth or cream when reheating helps bring back that silky texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen the cooked salmon with sauce once or twice, but honestly, the texture of salmon changes a bit after freezing. If you do freeze, make sure to thaw slowly in the fridge and add some fresh cream when reheating to revive the sauce.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, because the cream can sometimes separate, and the texture gets a little grainy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes! Just make sure to thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before cooking. This helps avoid excess water interfering with the sear and sauce texture.

What can I use instead of white wine?

If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth works perfectly. It still adds a savory depth without altering the flavor too much.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked?

Salmon is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and the flesh is opaque but still moist. Usually about 4 minutes per side depending on thickness.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

For a dairy-free version, try substituting the butter with olive oil and use a dairy-free cream or coconut milk, though it will slightly change the flavor and texture. Parmesan can be omitted or replaced with a vegan alternative.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe is one of those dishes I keep going back to because it’s reliable, incredibly tasty, and a little bit indulgent without being complicated. If you’re looking to impress your family or just treat yourself on a busy weeknight, I can’t recommend this enough. Give it a try—I’m pretty sure you’ll love it as much as I do!