Marry Me Salmon Recipe
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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