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Keeping things super quick and very delicious with this Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon. This one skillet salmon is for those nights when you’re craving something fancy…ish, but need to keep things quick and easy too. It’s all made in one skillet with heart healthy salmon, shallots, garlic, a touch of creamy coconut milk, parmesan cheese, plenty of fresh baby spinach, and spring herbs. Not only is this salmon easy and delicious, but it feels fancy too. Best part? It comes together in less than 30 minutes.
There are some days that I head into the kitchen and I really do not have a clue what I’m going to cook. To be honest, I don’t love to be overly planned out when it comes to the recipes I share. I’ve learned that when I spend a day or two plotting out new recipes, and putting the concepts on my list of recipes to test, that when the time comes to actually make the recipe, I find that I’ve already changed my mind.
What I’ve found most productive is to start each week fresh and only plot recipe concepts every 2-3 days. Any more lead time and I will end up changing my mind and move on from the concept. Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but if something is not exciting me in the moment, I’m not going to create it. Of course, there are some ideas that are just always exciting, and will always make the cut. But then there are also some that just aren’t.
I leave the non-exciting ones behind, and run with the exciting ones…
Anyway, my point in this little behind the scenes peek into my recipe development process, is that I made this garlic butter salmon last week on a whim, and without much thought. It just sounded amazing, so I ran with it and had the recipe tested and ready for photographing in just a couple of hours.
For whatever reason, I was thinking about how much I used to love my mom’s homemade Chicken Florentine. She made it heavy on the butter, lemon, spinach, and parmesan. It’s one of those childhood comfort foods I will always love.
I thought about how delicious that Florentine sauce would be with pan seared, crispy salmon. Once the thought hit, I knew this would be one of the recipes I’d be testing out that day.
I was almost certain it would turn out to be a great recipe to share with you all. So I was very excited about it from the start. Clearly all went as planned, because here it is! And you guys…it’s just as good as it sounds, but better.
And so easy, which I think is always nice on a Monday.
This is another one of my one skillet recipes.
The salmon is pan seared until both sides are perfectly crisp. I love cooking salmon filets with the skin on, as it adds an incredible amount of flavor. Plus the skin is where a lot of the healthy oils are, so there are also additional health benefits. You can certainly use skin-off salmon as well, but I do recommend skin-on for best flavor!
Once you sear the salmon, it’s time to make the sauce. All you need is a pat of butter, shallots, garlic, coconut milk, parmesan, spinach, and herbs. Now, I know the coconut milk may sound odd, but you really don’t taste any coconut flavor. I like to use coconut milk for its creaminess. I find it to be incredibly delicious in cream sauces and prefer it over heavy cream. Bonus that it’s also much healthier!
Slowly cook the garlic until fragrant, then add the milk, spinach, and herbs. I also add plenty of lemon, since that was a key ingredient in my mom’s sauce.
Finish up with some fresh chives and done. It doesn’t even take 30 minutes, and it’s really just one of the most delicious ways you can cook up salmon on a weeknight. The sauce is a touch buttery, a little garlicy, very creamy, and made fresh with the squeeze of a lemon. It’s the perfect pairing to a pan seared, crispy filet of salmon.
Serve this with crusty bread for dipping, baby potatoes, roasted asparagus, a big salad, or maybe even a combo of them all! This makes for a great weeknight meal, but can easily be used as a main course for your next spring or summer dinner party.
And yes, it’s great for Easter too!
If you make this garlic-butter creamed spinach salmon, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon.
Servings: 4 4
Calories Per Serving: 619 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon filets, skin on or off (your preference)
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk, or heavy cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving
Instructions
- 1. Season the salmon all over with salt and pepper. 2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the salmon, skin side down and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is crisp. Gently flip, and continue cooking the salmon for another 2-3 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked to your liking. Remove from the skillet. If desired, peel away the skin and discard. 3. To the same skillet, add the butter, shallots, and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, coconut milk, and cream cheese. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Add the parmesan, and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, and chives. Remove from the heat and slide the salmon back into the sauce. 4. To serve plate each piece of salmon, then spoon the sauce over top. Serve with additional herbs.
This post was originally published on April 8, 2019
This is my new favorite Salmon recipe! I love that it is so simple and most all of the ingredients are items you have on hand. My husband and teenage daughter also loved it. I didn’t have bread and unfortunately mentioned that it was recommended. That’s all they could talk about then; how amazing it would be to have toasted bread to dip in the sauce!
Hey Barbara,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
I’ve made several of your salmon dishes at this point but this one is probably my favorite. It was easy, super delicious and fairly healthy. I served it with roasted broccoli and baby potatoes and my husband absolutely LOVED it. Thank you for another staple in my house for amazing, simple and healthy dinners.
Hi Kristen,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Oh so yummy. Did not disappoint. Creamy garlicy. Just needed some crunchy bread to soak up the juices.
Hi Lindsay,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Quick and easy Monday night dinner that felt like a Sunday night feast. Baguette for dipping is a must, you don’t want to leave any of the sauce behind.
Hey Susan,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
OMG!!! One word: AMAZING!!! Restaurant caliber entree that comes together quickly and effortlessly. Bonus points for all coming together in one skillet so clean up is a snap! Wonderful flavors in the sauce. I served this with steamed broccoli and poured the leftover sauce over leftover broccoli for an easy side for tomorrow’s dinner. Trying to incorporate more fish into our diet so this recipe is a definite keeper!
Hi Debbie,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Oops – accidentally commented on the creamed salmon w/artichoke recipe. I’m sure I’ll love it too when I make it. But, everyone absolutely loved this recipe, Tieghan! It was so comforting and flavorful. We will make it over & over! I only had 3 salmon filets so have leftover sauce so tonight, I’m adding shrimp with more spinach + cherry tomatoes and serving over rice.
Hey Dana,
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Just made this, fantastic recipe loved how it all came together. Thank you for sharing this is definitely a keeper!!
Hey Marcia,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it. Have the best week:) xx
Oh my word! This recipe is just described. Super easy. Super delicious. And a dish I would absolutely make for a dinner party or date night!!
Hey Lynne,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it. Have the best week:) xx
Question- does the spinach serve as the side? Or would this be good over rice? Just wondering what I could put this with/ or over if the salmon and sauce is the main dish.
Gosh! We love all your things so much!
Xoxo
Hey Ashley,
Sure, you could serve over rice, you could even do a side of potatoes, it’s really up to do, there’s no right or wrong way to serve this:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Can you freeze leftovers? There’s only one of me and most recipes are for four or more so even if I half them there will be leftovers for a later meal. Thanks.
Hey William,
I probably wouldn’t freeze this recipe. You can use the sewing size adjuster to help you make smaller portions:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Incredibly easy and delicious. My very picky 13 year old even loved it, and has requested it every night since.
Hi Courtney,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!☀️ xx
Made this tonight for my husband and I. Did not have shallots (substituted thinly sliced yellow onion) or cream cheese but it was absolutely delicious! We will save the extra sauce to serve with the left over fresh spinach. I served it with rice. A winner and amazingly QUICK dinner I will add it to my weekly after work recipe file.
Hi Deanna,
Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try and sharing your feedback! xx
This is a question. How many servings do your recipes make?
Hi Lynne,
The serving size for every recipe is listed above the list of ingredients. Please let me know if you have any other questions. xx
This was quite possibly my most favorite salmon dish I have ever made. It was so yummy and incredibly quick and easy. Feels so fancy but is actually as easy as taco night! Thank you for the delicious recipe.
Hi Kitty,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xxT
Made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Loved the sauce. I think next time I will try the sauce on boneless chicken breast.
Hi Sandra,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try!! Have the best day:) xx
So flavorful! This dish is a delight!
Hi Kristin,
Wonderful!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan