Marry Me Salmon Recipe
I first made Marry Me Salmon on a whim one evening when I was looking for a quick, yet impressive meal. I had some salmon in the fridge and wanted to do something different, so I turned to a simple recipe I had seen online. After just one bite, my family was hooked—and the name "Marry Me Salmon" started to make sense. It's that good. Since then, it’s become a staple in our dinner rotation. The combination of rich, buttery salmon with the tangy cream sauce is irresistible. I now call it "the recipe that will make you fall in love."This recipe is perfect for date nights, special occasions, or whenever you just want something that feels a little fancy without the fuss. It’s simple enough to prepare on a weekday, yet delicious enough to feel like you're dining in a restaurant. The creamy, garlicky sauce takes the salmon to another level, and it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan for cooking the salmon
- Knife and cutting board for chopping the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes
- Stirring spoon for the sauce
- Measuring spoons for the seasonings
- Plate for serving
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Start by patting the 4 salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the salmon fillets, skin-side down if they have skin.Sear for about 4-5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the salmon is golden brown and nearly cooked through. Once done, remove the salmon from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.Stir in the 1/4 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute, allowing them to soften and release their flavor into the pan.
- Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir well to combine. Let it come to a gentle simmer.Add 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed with a little more salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
- Place the seared salmon fillets back into the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Spoon some sauce over the top of each fillet.Cover and let everything simmer together for another 3-4 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve your Marry Me Salmon hot, spooning extra sauce over the top. It pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or sautéed greens. Garnish with fresh parsley or a few extra flakes of red pepper if you like a touch more heat.