Marry Me Salmon Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Salmon is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s simple enough for weeknights but elegant enough for special occasions. Tender salmon fillets are seared to perfection and finished in a luscious sun-dried tomato and parmesan cream sauce.

Ingredients

• 3-4 salmon fillets, skin removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup chicken stock, unsalted
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Rub half of the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the salmon fillets evenly.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, place the salmon fillets flesh side down and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove salmon from the pan and set aside.
4. Step 4: Lower the heat to low and add minced garlic and chopped sundried tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, optionally adding a splash of sundried tomato oil for extra flavor.
5. Step 5: Pour in the chicken stock and use a spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
6. Step 6: Stir in heavy cream, freshly shredded parmesan cheese, and the remaining seasoning mix. Mix thoroughly until combined.
7. Step 7: Increase heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until it thickens. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
8. Step 8: Return the salmon fillets to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, depending on desired doneness (3 minutes for medium, 5 for well done).
9. Step 9: Serve the salmon topped with sauce and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, add a splash of white wine when deglazing the pan.
• Swap chicken stock for vegetable stock to keep the dish pescatarian-friendly.
• Use smoked salmon for a unique twist, but reduce cooking time accordingly.
• Serve over pasta, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables to complete the meal.

Storage

Store leftover salmon and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat to avoid overcooking the salmon. The sauce may thicken when chilled; add a splash of cream or stock when reheating to loosen it.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen salmon for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw the salmon completely and pat it dry before seasoning and cooking to ensure even searing.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk as alternatives, but the sauce may be slightly less rich.

Marry Me Salmon Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 668 reviews

Marry Me Salmon is a flavorful and creamy skillet-cooked salmon dish featuring a blend of aromatic herbs, sundried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. This elegant yet simple recipe delivers perfectly seared salmon with a rich, velvety sauce ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion.

• Author: Felix
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3–4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Salmon

• 3–4 salmon fillets, skin removed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Sauce

• 1 cup chicken stock, unsalted
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all the spices evenly.
2. Season the Salmon: Take half of the seasoning mix and rub it thoroughly onto both sides of the salmon fillets to ensure they are well coated with flavor.
3. Sear the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, place the salmon fillets skin side down first and sear for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
4. Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sundried tomatoes. Optionally, add a splash of the oil from the sundried tomatoes for extra flavor. Lower the heat to low and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pan to lift any browned bits, enhancing the sauce’s flavor.
6. Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in heavy cream, freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, and the remaining seasoning mix. Mix well to combine all ingredients into a smooth sauce.
7. Simmer the Sauce: Increase the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
8. Return Salmon to Sauce: Place the seared salmon back into the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the fillets and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. For medium doneness, cook about 3 minutes; for well done, cook closer to 5 minutes.
9. Serve and Garnish: Plate the salmon, spooning extra sauce on top. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, aromatic finish. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Marry Me Salmon.

Notes

• If using skin-on salmon, you may want to sear skin side down first for extra crispiness.
• Sundried tomato oil can be used to add extra depth of flavor when sautéing garlic and tomatoes.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream.
• The sauce thickens further upon standing, so serve soon after cooking for best texture.
• This dish pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad.

Keywords: Salmon recipe, creamy salmon, skillet salmon, Marry Me Salmon, sundried tomato sauce, garlic parmesan salmon