Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon 🧄🧈🐟
This Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon is the ultimate one-pan dinner—rich, velvety, and bursting with flavor. Juicy seared salmon fillets are bathed in a luscious garlic butter cream sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan. It’s restaurant-quality comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes! 💚
Why You’ll Love This Tuscan Salmon 💚
- ✅ One Skillet Wonder: Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor.
- ✅ Rich & Velvety Sauce: Garlic butter and cream create an irresistible base.
- ✅ Fast & Impressive: Ready in 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
- ✅ Customizable: Swap salmon for shrimp, chicken, or tofu if desired.
🐟 Tuscan Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin removed if preferred 🐟
- 2 tbsp butter 🧈
- 4 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
- 1 cup heavy cream 🥛
- ½ cup chicken broth 🍲
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), chopped 🍅
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach 🌿
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning 🌿
- Salt & pepper to taste 🧂
- Optional: fresh parsley and lemon wedges for serving 🍋
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions (Expanded)
- Prepare the salmon:
Pat salmon fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. - Sear the salmon:
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add salmon fillets and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden and nearly cooked through.
- Remove salmon from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce:
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits.
- Stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.
- Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add spinach & return salmon:
- Add fresh spinach and let it wilt into the sauce.
- Return the salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top.
- Simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes to finish cooking the salmon through.
- Garnish & serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges. Perfect with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies. 🧄🐟🌿
💡 Flavor Boosts & Variations
- ✨ Make it spicier: Add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- ✨ Lighten it up: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or coconut cream.
- ✨ More veggies: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes along with the spinach.
- ✨ Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream and skip the Parmesan, or use a dairy-free alternative.
🧄 Nutritional Highlights
Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D. Spinach adds fiber and iron, while sun-dried tomatoes offer antioxidants. This creamy dish feels indulgent but is packed with nourishing ingredients.
🧊 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- ✅ Make-ahead: You can prep the sauce ahead and reheat gently before adding fresh-cooked salmon.
- ✅ Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- ✅ Reheating tip: Reheat slowly over low heat to avoid separating the cream sauce. Add a splash of broth if needed.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen salmon?
Yes! Thaw completely, pat dry, and proceed with seasoning and searing. Fresh salmon offers the best texture, but frozen works too.
What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?
Roasted red peppers, sautéed cherry tomatoes, or even artichoke hearts can be a delicious swap depending on your preference.
Can I use a different protein?
Absolutely! This creamy Tuscan sauce pairs beautifully with shrimp, chicken breasts, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian version.
Rich, Creamy & Restaurant-Quality in 30 Minutes 💚
Try this Tuscan Salmon tonight and bring a little luxurious comfort to your dinner table! 💬 Drop a comment with your favorite side pairing or tag your creamy skillet creation on Pinterest! 🧄🐟🌿
