Name: Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 salmon fillets (skin off, or Trout or any white fish); 1 pinch salt (to season); 1 pinch pepper; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 6 cloves garlic (finely diced); 1 yellow onion (diced); 1/3 cup dry white wine (optional – do not use a sweet white wine); 5 ounces sun-dried tomato strips in oil (jarred, drained of oil); 1 3/4 cups half and half (see notes); 1 pinch salt (to taste); 1 pinch pepper (to taste); 3 cups baby spinach leaves; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (fresh grated, do not include for dairy-free option); 1 teaspoon cornstarch (cornflour mixed with 1 tablespoon of water, optional); 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re hunting for a show-stopping dinner that comes together in just one pan, packs flavor by the forkful, and looks just as dreamy as it tastes, then this Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon is made for you. Picture pan-seared salmon fillets nestled in a silky sauce of garlic, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan, soaking up every bit of lushness. This is the kind of dish that feels like a special-occasion meal, yet it’s easy enough to pull off on a weeknight. The colors are vibrant, the aroma is intoxicating, and every bite invites you back for more.

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon plays a starring role—simple on their own, but together, they create a dish with striking flavor and color contrasts. From tender salmon and leafy greens to aromatic garlic and rich parmesan, each element brings out the best in the others.

Salmon fillets: Choose skinless fillets for a buttery texture; trout or a firm white fish works in a pinch.
Salt and pepper: A pinch before searing and after, to amplify all those savory notes in the dish.
Olive oil: Key for achieving a golden, crisp sear on your salmon.
Butter: The foundation of that irresistible creamy sauce.
Garlic: Six fresh cloves, finely diced, bring that deep, unmistakable aroma and robust flavor.
Yellow onion: Sauteed until soft, onion gives the sauce a delicate sweetness.
Dry white wine (optional): Adds brightness and complexity; be sure it’s dry, not sweet.
Sun dried tomato strips (in oil): Provide bursts of tangy, umami flavor and keep the sauce visually stunning.
Half and half: The perfect blend of richness and silkiness for the sauce; you can use heavy cream for extra indulgence.
Spinach leaves: Baby spinach wilts quickly in the sauce, adding color and earthy freshness.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parm melts into the sauce, deepening its savory, nutty profile.
Cornstarch + water (optional): For those who crave a thicker, cling-to-your-fork sauce.
Fresh parsley: A sprinkle at the end brings a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor and a pop of green.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon

Step 1: Sear the Salmon Fillets

Begin by warming olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Generously season both sides of your salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Place the salmon, flesh-side down, into the hot pan. Let them sizzle for about 5 minutes on each side—don’t rush this step, as it’s what builds that beautiful golden crust and locks in the juices. Once cooked to your ideal doneness, remove the fillets from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

With the salmon resting, drop butter into the same pan—don’t clean it! The caramelized bits left behind are pure flavor magic. As the butter melts, toss in your finely diced garlic, letting it cook just until fragrant. Next, scatter in the diced onion and stir it around until it softens. Pour in the dry white wine if you’re using it, and let it bubble so it reduces slightly, intensifying the flavor. Stir in the sun dried tomato strips and let them gently fry for another minute or two.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Lower your heat to a gentle simmer—the secret to glossy, smooth sauce. Pour in the half and half, stirring occasionally, and season again to taste with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it all mingle until the sauce warms through and begins to thicken.

Step 4: Add Spinach and Cheese

Add the baby spinach to the skillet and let the leaves wilt into the sauce, which should take just a minute or two. Sprinkle in the parmesan cheese and let it melt completely, creating that luxurious, creamy consistency. If you love a thicker sauce, now’s the moment to stir in a cornstarch slurry for extra body.

Step 5: Return Salmon and Finish

Place the seared salmon fillets back into the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Scatter chopped parsley over the top for a vivid finish. Gently spoon the warm, creamy garlic butter Tuscan sauce over each fillet to glaze it in flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Your Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon is ready to shine! Serve it hot and savor the applause—you’ve just brought a slice of Italian restaurant luxury into your own kitchen.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon

Garnishes

Elevate each plate with a flourish of freshly chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of grated parmesan. A twist of cracked black pepper or a few delicate lemon zest curls can add color and a little zip to balance the sauce’s richness.

Side Dishes

This creamy garlic butter Tuscan salmon just begs to be paired with tender pasta, fluffy rice, or a bed of garlicky mashed potatoes. If you want something lighter, steamed asparagus or crisp green beans make a fresh and elegant match.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the salmon family-style in the skillet for a rustic, comforting look, or plate each fillet individually on a wide dish, letting the sauce flow across the plate. For a special touch, nestle the salmon atop sautéed greens and scatter sun dried tomato strips on top for a pop of color.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors mingle and deepen even more overnight, making it a delicious leftover lunch or dinner treat. It keeps well for up to two days.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze this dish, let everything cool to room temperature first. Wrap the salmon and sauce tightly in freezer-safe containers. Be aware that creamy sauces can sometimes separate when thawed, but a gentle stir during reheating helps restore their texture.

Reheating

For best results, reheat this salmon slowly on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of milk or half and half if the sauce seems too thick. Avoid microwaving at high heat, as it can overcook the salmon and split the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon?

Absolutely, just make sure to thaw your salmon fillets completely and pat them dry before seasoning and searing. This helps achieve that beautiful golden crust and prevents excess water from thinning your sauce.

What is the best substitute for half and half?

You can use heavy cream for extra richness or a mix of milk and a splash of cream if you want to lighten things up a bit. Coconut cream is a good dairy-free alternative, but it will add a subtle coconut flavor.

Can I skip the white wine?

If you prefer not to cook with wine, you can simply leave it out or swap it for an equal amount of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. The sauce will still be creamy and tasty!

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon is naturally gluten-free as long as you check the labels for your sun dried tomatoes and parmesan, which sometimes contain additives. Always use gluten-free broth or wine if substituting.

How do I know when the salmon is cooked?

Your salmon should flake easily with a fork and be opaque all the way through. If you have a thermometer, you’re aiming for an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part of the fillet.

Final Thoughts

I hope you feel inspired to invite Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon to your dinner table soon. It’s a joyful, comforting dish that turns any meal into a little celebration, all with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Give it a try—you’ll be glad you did!

Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 32 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Salmon with this easy-to-follow recipe. Perfectly seared salmon fillets are smothered in a luscious cream sauce infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese.

Instructions

Heat the oil and sear the salmon: Heat oil in a skillet, season salmon, and sear on both sides until cooked. Set aside.
Prepare the cream sauce: Melt butter, sauté garlic and onion, add wine, sun-dried tomatoes, and simmer. Add half and half, season, then stir in spinach and Parmesan.
Finish the dish: Return salmon to the pan, sprinkle with parsley, and spoon sauce over each fillet.
Serve over pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables.