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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.

overhead photo of Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon in skillet

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…

raw salmon cooking in skillet

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.

side angled close up photo of Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon in skillet

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.

Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon in skillet with 1 salmon filet broken in half

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!

overhead photo of Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon plate

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.

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
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.

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Ingredients

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. 
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horizontal photo of Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon in skillet

This post was originally published on April 8, 2019
4.42 from 776 votes (576 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. This recipe is INSANE. I caught my husband scooping up the sauce with his fork. Planning to make it for a birthday dinner coming up. Your blog is incredible. Best find yet.

    Reply

  2. 5 stars
    This is soooo delicious, we love it. I’m making it for a dinner party tomorrow night but I want it to be a little less salty. Besides not salting the salmon or adding any salt do you recommend other changes? Thanks! I know it will be a hit.

    Reply

    1. Hey jenny! I would not change anything else. Those changes should make the dish way less salty. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I so glad you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

      Reply

  3. 5 stars
    This has been on our “make soon” list and tonight we dove in. So delicious!!! Make it just as is and enjoy the array of unexpected flavors. It is probably the 25th recipe we’ve made from HBH and will continue to enjoy these creations. Such a fan. In 30 mins on a weeknight you can create an amazing dish filled with comfort-foody flavors.

    Reply

  4. I see artichokes in the pictures, but not listed in the recipe. Do we add them when we add in the spinach? I assume 1 can of quartered artichoke hearts. Thanks!!! Love the recipe.

    Reply

    1. Hi Megan, there are not artichokes in this recipe or in the photos. If you would like to add artichokes I am sure that would be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan

      Reply

  5. 5 stars
    Oh. My. Gooooodness!! This dish is incredible and simple! On the table in under 30 mins and sooo yummy! Everyone was licking their plate ? Thank you for the recipe! Only thing I swapped was real cream instead of coconut milk. Can’t wait to make this again!!

    Reply

  6. 5 stars
    This was delicious! We were cooking with leftover ingredients so we used half a can of coconut milk and about 4 ounces of cream cheese. We served the creamed spinach over a bed of quinoa and set the salmon on top. I was doubtful about adding the lemon juice to the spinach at the end but it was perfect. We saved a tiny bit of juice for the salmon just before serving.

    Reply

  7. Only recently started reading this page after following you on Instagram. Such wonderful recipes, I am 59 years old and trying to cook better meals for myself, I have just noticed that your recipe allows you to change the quantities according to the number of people. This is a true godsend for people like me who living on their own may be put off my huge amounts of food, that may go to waste,

    I really appreciate this part of your site and it has inspired me to try and make things I would otherwise pass on. Thank you so much it is truly appreciated and I wish more would do it.

    Happy New Year in 2020,

    Reply

    1. Hi Scott! I am so glad you have been enjoying my blog and recipes! Thank you so much for trying them! I hope you continue to love the recipes! xTieghan

      Reply

  8. 5 stars
    As we say here in the Burgh, GEEZ LOUISE!!!! This was sooooooo amazing. Just made it for the first time tonight! I was SWOONING. Actually licked my plate, no shame at all lol. My kids aren’t huge salmon fans, but I am, so this was a selfish dinner. I’m thinking it will be just as delicious with chicken! (Although I’ve also been eyeing the chicken florentine over polenta.) Thanks for the great recipes… we just recently discovered you when looking for some simple homemade ramen recipes to start with. Yours are great!

    Reply

  9. 5 stars
    My husband grilled a huge salmon fillet and made the sauce to compliment the salmon. It was fabuloua. Our guests all wanted the recipe!

    Reply

  12. I love you recipes! But this one surpassed all expectations and my boyfriend literally licked the plate clean! I swapped the cream cheese with garlic and herb Boursin and replaced the chives with coriander. Served with creamy mash potatoes and roasted tenderstem broccoli. Definitely making this dish again!!!! X

    Reply