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Tuscan Butter Salmon

Tuscan Butter Salmon

This Tuscan Butter Salmon combines golden-seared salmon with a luxurious garlic cream sauce featuring cherry tomatoes, spinach, and herbs. Bursting with Italian-inspired flavor and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a restaurant-quality meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 fillets
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil for searing
  • 4 fillets (6 oz each) salmon fillets, patted dry
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
For the Tuscan Butter Sauce
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups baby spinach, loosely packed
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream, room temperature
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 0.25 cup fresh herbs, chopped (basil and parsley) plus more for garnish
  • lemon wedges for serving, optional but recommended

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Sear the Salmon
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Place fillets skin-side down and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  2. Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
    Lower heat to medium, add butter, and let it melt. Stir in garlic and sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the Vegetables
    Add cherry tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until they begin to burst. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
  4. Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
    Pour in heavy cream and stir in Parmesan. Simmer 3 minutes until slightly thickened and smooth. Add chopped herbs and mix well.
  5. Step 5: Finish the Dish
    Return salmon fillets to the pan, spooning sauce over each. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until salmon is fully cooked and coated in sauce. Garnish with extra herbs and lemon juice before serving.

Notes

Use skin-on salmon for extra flavor and moisture. Don’t overcook — the salmon should flake easily but remain juicy inside. To make it dairy-free, use olive oil or vegan butter and coconut cream instead of heavy cream. For more sauce, double the sauce ingredients. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta to soak up every drop!