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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 creamy garlic salmon is a favorite recipe for us – we make it all the time and it is fantastic! Making tonight for guests, it’s December and I have fresh thyme and rosemary in the fridge…thoughts on those herbs with this and if so…when and how to incorporate? If that sounds bad please tell me! :). thank you. LOVE YOUR BLOG AND RECIPES! xx Jenny
Hey Jenny,
I am so glad you have enjoyed this recipe! I havent added these herbs to this recipe, but if you want to add them go for it! I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious! What a wonderful dish!
Thank you Amy! xTieghan
Another amazing recipe, thank you! My kids ate it! I left out the red pepper flakes (for the kids) and didn’t have a shallot or cream cheese so used red onion and sour cream and it was aaaahhhhhmazing!! Keeper for sure.
Hi Kristel! I am so happy this recipe turned out so amazing for you! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Served with angel hair pasta & asparagus (pregnant hungry mama over here lol) and it was WONDERFUL. Husband loved it as well. Will keep on rotation!
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Stephanie! xTieghan
I made this for the first time tonight and it was a hit! My husband loves salmon anyway, but I definitely will be making this again. Super filling and tasty!
Thank you so much Hailey!! xTieghan
This recipe is in my meal rotation every couple weeks. I do add lots of fresh dill at the end and then add riced cauliflower to the pan. Absolutely delicious every time with low carbs.
Thank you so much Gerri! I am really happy you have been enjoying this recipe! xTieghan
I can’t wait to try this with chicken. I am the only one that eats seafood in my family so will tweak it by using chicken. Sounds delicious.
Thank you so much Chrissy! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, can I use more Parmesan to replace the cream cheese? Or any ideas on a sub for the cream cheese? Thank you
Hey Beverly,
I think ricotta would be a great sub for the cream cheese. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
THAT WAS INSANE. Just finished eating this dinner and I’m surprised I can type as I’m in a Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach coma. We had it with garlicy/buttery mashed potatoes and balsamic glazed brussell sprouts. But make no mistake, the Salmon with the Creamed Spinach was the star of the show. We will definitely have to make this again soon, likely for our friends and family to show off how amazing this recipe is.
Thank you so much Brent! I am so happy this recipe turned out so amazing for you!! xTieghan
Just made this for dinner and my fiancé was literally licking the plate clean! Plus so quick and easy – will definitely make again
Wow yes!! So glad this turned out so well for you, Polly! xTieghan
Tried your recipe, it came out fantastic! We all loved it, my kids loved it. A keeper. Thanks.
Thank you! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I make this all the time for family and friends, and it does not disappoint! So easy and yummy and so simple to make. definitely can be “dressed up” or “dressed down” haha but I love it!!!
Love that! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Rachel! xTieghan
This was so good and so easy. I would only do half a lemon next time, but that is just preference. 10/10.
Thank you so much Laura! xTieghan
Hello! Is your calorie count for 4 servings or for 1 serving?
Thanks!
Hey Ellie,
The estimate is for 1 serving. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I have made this recipe many times and it is always a family favorite. I’ve used coconut milk and heavy cream both have turned out great. Thanks
That is so amazing to hear, D’Andrea! Thank you for trying this one! xTieghan