Okay, who else is always looking for that *one* dinner that feels a little fancy but is secretly super easy? That’s exactly why I live and breathe this Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon recipe. Honestly, it’s my weeknight superhero! You won’t believe how quickly it comes together, and the flavors? Oh man, they’re incredible. It’s got that restaurant-quality vibe without all the fuss, using ingredients you probably already have. I whipped this up last Tuesday when I was feeling totally drained, and bam! Dinner was served and we all felt like we’d hit the jackpot.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
Trust me, this dish is a winner for so many reasons!
- It’s ridiculously quick to make – perfect for those busy weeknights.
- The sauce is pure magic: rich, garlicky, and so wonderfully herby.
- Minimal cleanup means more time relaxing instead of scrubbing pots!
- It feels fancy enough for guests but is easy enough for a Tuesday.
- You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make it shine.
- It’s super adaptable – feel free to swap herbs or add your favorite veggies.
Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need for this magical dish. It really is just a handful of things, which I love! Make sure you’ve got:
- About 1.5 pounds of nice salmon fillets – fresh is best, but thawed frozen works too!
- 1 tablespoon of good olive oil for that initial sear.
- 3 glorious cloves of garlic, all minced up real fine. Garlic is KEY here!
- A half cup of heavy cream. This is what makes it so wonderfully creamy.
- Just a quarter cup of chicken broth – gives it a little depth.
- Lots of fresh herbs! We’re talking 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of fresh dill. Don’t skip the fresh part, it really makes a difference!
- A little splash of lemon juice, about 1 teaspoon, to brighten everything up.
- And of course, your salt and black pepper to taste. You know the drill!
Essential Equipment for Making Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
Okay, so you mostly need just a few things for this easy salmon recipe. You’ll absolutely need an oven-safe skillet – that’s super important because it goes from the stovetop right into the oven. A whisk is handy for getting that sauce smooth, along with your trusty measuring cups and spoons. Oh, and a good knife for mincing that garlic!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
Alright, let’s get this amazing salmon into your belly! It’s a pretty simple process, and before you know it, you’ll have a gorgeous dinner ready to go. Just follow along here – it’s easier than you think!
Preparing the Salmon
First things first, let’s get that oven roaring! You want to preheat it to 400°F (that’s 200°C). While it’s heating up, grab your salmon fillets. Pat them really dry with a paper towel – this is key for getting a nice golden crust. Then, give them a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Now, take your oven-safe skillet, toss in the olive oil, and crank it up to medium-high heat. Once that oil is shimmering, carefully place the salmon in, skin-side down if it has skin. Sear it for about 2-3 minutes per side. You’re just looking for a pretty golden-brown color; it doesn’t need to be cooked all the way through yet. Once it looks gorgeous, gently take the salmon out and set it aside for a moment.
Crafting the Creamy Garlic Herb Sauce
Now for my favorite part – that dreamy sauce! In the same skillet you used for the salmon (don’t clean it!) toss in your minced garlic. Sauté it for just about a minute until you can smell that amazing fragrance. Be careful not to burn it! Then, pour in the heavy cream and the chicken broth. Stir it all together and let it come to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until it starts to thicken up just a bit. It should coat the back of a spoon nicely. Finally, stir in your fresh parsley, dill, and that little splash of lemon juice. Give it a taste and add more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. So good, right? For more tips on making a killer garlic salmon, check out this perfect lemon-garlic salmon recipe!
Baking the Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
Okay, time to bring it all together! Gently nestle those beautiful, seared salmon fillets back into the creamy herb sauce in the skillet. Make sure they’re sitting cozily in there. Now, carefully transfer the whole skillet over to your preheated oven. You’ll bake it for about 8 to 12 minutes. The exact time depends on how thick your salmon fillets are, but you’re looking for them to be cooked through and easily flake apart when you gently poke them with a fork. Once they’re done, pull that beautiful skillet out and get ready to serve!
Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
You know, the magic of this Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon is how forgiving it is, but there are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that make it truly restaurant-worthy every single time. First off, always, always pat your salmon dry! Seriously, it’s the secret to getting that gorgeous golden sear. Don’t be afraid of the heat for the sear, but definitely watch that garlic – nobody wants burnt garlic bits in their creamy sauce, trust me! When it comes to the sauce, don’t over-simmer it; you want it creamy, not chunky. If your salmon is on the thicker side, it might need those full 12 minutes in the oven, but check it gently with a fork. For more awesome ways to cook salmon, you might like these irresistible salmon cakes too!
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
This Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon is already pretty fantastic, but you can totally play around with it! If you’re not a fan of dill, no worries! Try some fresh chives or even a bit of tarragon – they’re delicious. For a dairy-free option, you could try full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream, though it might give a subtle coconut flavor. And if you want to sneak in some veggies, sauté some spinach or thinly sliced mushrooms right after the garlic, before you add the cream. It adds an extra something special!
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
This creamy salmon is so versatile! It’s fantastic served over fluffy white rice or a bed of your favorite pasta. Roasted asparagus or broccoli are also divine with it. And if you’re having it for a heartier meal, don’t forget some crusty bread – our buttery dinner rolls soak up that sauce like a dream!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to reheat, do it gently! A quick warm-up in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water is best to keep that sauce from drying out. You can also pop it in the oven for a few minutes at a low temp.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
You’ve got questions, and I’ve got answers! People often ask me about this Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon, and here are a few things that come up a lot:
Can I use frozen salmon fillets?
Absolutely! If you’re using frozen salmon, just make sure it’s completely thawed before you start. The best way to thaw it is overnight in the refrigerator. Once it’s thawed, you can pat it dry and proceed with the recipe just like you would with fresh salmon. No worries, it’ll be delicious!
How do I make the sauce thicker if it’s too thin?
This is a common one! If your creamy sauce seems a little on the thin side after simmering, don’t panic. You can easily thicken it up! Just let it simmer for a few extra minutes without the salmon in it, stirring gently. Or, for a quick fix, mix about a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water to make a slurry, then whisk that into the simmering sauce until it thickens up nicely. Easy peasy!
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
It’s pretty good! The salmon itself is best eaten fresh, but the creamy garlic herb sauce is fantastic for making ahead. You can prepare the sauce and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. Then, when you’re ready for dinner, just thaw your salmon, give the sauce a quick reheat, and then sear and bake the salmon as usual. It makes assembling dinner a breeze!
What kind of salmon should I use?
Honestly, any kind of salmon fillet works beautifully here! Atlantic salmon, sockeye, coho – they’ll all be amazing with this creamy sauce. The key is to get fillets that are roughly the same thickness so they cook evenly. And like I said, fresh is great, but good quality thawed frozen salmon is totally fine too!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Just a little heads-up: the nutritional info here is an estimate, and it can totally change based on the exact ingredients you use. But generally, a serving of this Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon comes in around 450 calories, with about 30g of fat and a solid 35g of protein. It’s a pretty balanced and satisfying meal!
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Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and flavorful salmon dish with a creamy garlic herb sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the salmon for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove salmon from skillet and set aside.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in the chopped parsley, dill, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return the salmon fillets to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Feel free to add other herbs like chives or thyme.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes like rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Herb Salmon, easy salmon recipe, quick dinner, seafood recipe, garlic herb sauce