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–+ servings

Marry Me Salmon

This delicious Marry Me Salmon features crisp-seared fillets in a silky garlic-butter cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan, making it perfect for impressing guests while being quick and easy to prepare.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salmon
  • 4 pieces salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each), skin-on or skinless
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt Adjust if using table salt.
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, minced (use a garlic press for convenience)
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced (packed in oil works well; drain if very oily)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for pescatarians)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (substitute: half-and-half + 2 tablespoons flour for lighter texture)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (pre-grated will work in a pinch)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional) plus lemon wedges to serve
  • None Fresh basil, sliced for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat salmon dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil.
  3. When the oil shimmers, place fillets in the pan. Sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Flip gently to avoid breaking. Transfer salmon to a plate.
Cooking the Sauce
  1. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Do not brown the garlic.
  3. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook 1–2 minutes to release flavor.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and let it simmer briefly to deglaze the pan. Scrape up browned bits.
  5. Add heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until smooth. Simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Stir in lemon zest if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Finishing
  1. Return salmon to the skillet, spoon sauce over each fillet, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer 3–5 minutes until cooked through (internal temp 125–130°F for medium-rare to 145°F for well done).
  2. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 39gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 20gSodium: 600mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3g

Notes

If you prefer dairy-free, use a cooking-style coconut cream and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative, but flavor and texture will change.

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