Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon is a rich and flavorful dish that combines tender salmon fillets with a luscious garlic butter sauce, fresh spinach, and sun-kissed cherry tomatoes. This easy-to-make recipe brings a touch of Italian flair to your dinner table in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (skin on or off)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: Sear the salmon for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they soften. Stir in spinach and let it wilt.
5. Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream, broth, Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes.
6. Step 6: Return the salmon to the skillet, spooning the sauce over it. Cook for another 2 minutes until heated through.
7. Step 7: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
• If fresh spinach isn’t available, kale or Swiss chard can be used as a substitute.
• Add capers or sun-dried tomatoes to intensify the Mediterranean flavors.
• Use skin-on salmon for extra crispy texture when seared.

Storage

Store leftover salmon and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid drying out the salmon. Avoid microwaving to maintain the creamy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen salmon, but make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking to achieve the best sear.

Is this dish spicy because of the red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but they are optional. You can omit them entirely if you prefer a milder flavor.

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 131 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon recipe features perfectly seared salmon fillets nestled in a rich and flavorful sauce made with garlic, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. The sauce is creamy and savory, enhanced with herbs like oregano and basil, making for a deliciously indulgent yet easy-to-make dinner that’s ready in just 25 minutes.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Tuscan, Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salmon

• 4 salmon fillets (skin on or off)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Sauce

• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the skillet and season the salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper evenly on both sides.
2. Sear the salmon: Place the salmon fillets in the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through. Once done, remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté garlic and onion: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion, sautéing them until they become fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Cook the cherry tomatoes and spinach: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften, approximately 3 minutes. Then, stir in the fresh spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
5. Create the creamy sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and broth, then add grated Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir all ingredients together well and let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld.
6. Return salmon to skillet: Place the seared salmon fillets back into the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over them. Cook everything together for an additional 2 minutes so the salmon reheats and soaks up the flavors of the sauce.
7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the salmon and sauce, then serve immediately while warm.

Notes

• You can use either skin-on or skinless salmon depending on your preference.
• For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Use chicken broth for a richer flavor or vegetable broth to keep it lighter and vegetarian-friendly in the sauce.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it a bit longer until desired consistency is reached.
• Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried ones if available—use about three times the amount of fresh herbs.

Keywords: Creamy garlic butter salmon, Tuscan salmon, creamy salmon recipe, seared salmon, garlic butter sauce, spinach tomato sauce, quick salmon dinner