Our Marry Me Salmon recipe is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish that is perfect with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables. The crispy seared salmon is smothered in a sun-dried tomato and parmesan cream sauce, making it a restaurant-quality meal at home. With a perfect balance of flavors, this dish is impressive enough for date night but simple enough for a weeknight dinner.
Marry Me Salmon
Cooking salmon doesn’t have to be hard. The important part is to sear the filet skin-side down first, allowing the skin to crisp, but keeping the fish moist. Our favorite method is to use a stainless steel skillet. Make sure to pre-heat the pan thoroughly, and do a water test before adding your oil to the pan. If you are curious about this, there are a lot of videos on YouTube that will demonstrate. Stainless cooking has a bit of a learning curve, but once you master it you won’t ever go back.
If you don’t have a stainless skillet, a non-stick pan will work too. The sauce is made with butter, onions, garlic, and a butter roux base, and is packed full of flavor from the sun-dried tomatoes.
Like all fish, this recipe is best served immediately, but the sauce can be made ahead of time to cut down on prep work. Whether you serve it over pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables, Marry Me Salmon is sure to become a new favorite.
Feel like cooking outdoors?
You can also cook the salmon on your pellet grill or your gas griddle! When we cook salmon on the pellet smoker, I use a sheet of non-stick foil on the grates to make sure nothing sticks.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Crispy, flavorful salmon – Perfectly seared for a crispy skin and tender interior.
- Rich, creamy sauce – A blend of butter, parmesan, and heavy cream creates a smooth, luxurious texture.
- Easy to make – Comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
- Versatile – Pairs well with pasta, rice, or vegetables for a complete meal.
- Impressive yet simple – Elegant enough for special occasions but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
Serve with our Mushroom Risotto!
Marry Me Salmon shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Ingredients
- Avocado Oil
- Fresh Salmon
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian Seasoning
- Salted Butter
- Diced Onion
- Garlic
- Flour
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Chicken Stock
- Heavy Cream
- Lemon Juice
- Fresh Parmesan
This would be perfect with our Garlic Butter Noodles!
How To Make Marry Me Salmon
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Sear the Salmon – Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the salmon and place it skin-side down, cooking for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce Base – Melt butter over medium heat in a separate pan. Sauté the diced onion until translucent, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Make the Roux – Whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove any raw flour taste.
- Finish the Sauce – Add the sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, chicken stock, heavy cream, lemon juice, and parmesan. Stir well and bring to a light simmer.
- Combine and Serve – Pour the sauce over the salmon and serve hot with your favorite side dish.
We love this with our Blackstone Asparagus!
FAQ
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover Marry Me Salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How do I reheat this dish?
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock or cream to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving to prevent the salmon from drying out.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce in advance and store it separately. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and cook the salmon fresh.
What can I use instead of salmon?
This recipe works well with chicken, shrimp, or even white fish like cod or halibut.
Serve with our Traeger Grilled Garlic Bread!
Serve This With…
This easy Marry Me Salmon recipe is rich and delicious and it comes together quickly, perfect for both special occasions and easy weeknight meals. The creamy sauce, crispy salmon, and bold flavors will have everyone reaching for seconds!
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Marry Me Salmon
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 12 ounces fresh salmon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup sundried tomatoes drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh parmesan
Instructions
- Add the avocado oil to a preheated skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the salmon with the salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Place the salmon skin down in the pan. Let cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the skin is lightly browned and starting to crisp.
- Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes on the other side. Make sure there is plenty of oil under the salmon so it doesn’t stick. I prefer to use a stainless steel skillet for this recipe, but a non-stick pan also works.
- While the salmon cooks, melt the butter in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and let cook for 4-5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the flour until no lumps remain. Turn the heat down to medium-low and continue to cook, whisking continuously, for another 2-3 minutes. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients to the pan and stir to combine. Bring back up to a light simmer, and let cook for several minutes.
- When the salmon is done, pour the sauce over the top and serve hot.
