This Creamy Tuscan Salmon recipe is a showstopper! It features perfectly pan-seared salmon in a rich, creamy sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and capers. It’s a luxurious, flavorful dish that comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The combination of creamy textures and bold flavors makes this salmon recipe truly irresistible.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs or 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (skin on, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick)

• 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt (divided)

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• Fresh ground black pepper

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons salted butter

• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

• ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons capers, drained

• ¾ cup heavy cream

• ¼ cup milk

• 2 cups baby spinach, loosely packed

• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

• 2 lemon wedges (for serving)

Directions

1. Prepare the Salmon: Let the salmon come to room temperature for 15 minutes. Pat it dry with a clean towel. Rub it with olive oil and sprinkle it with 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.

2. Cook the Salmon: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the salmon skin-side up and cook for 3–5 minutes until it’s cooked halfway through. Flip the salmon, reduce the heat to medium, and spoon the pan juices over the salmon. Cook for another 4–5 minutes until it’s just tender and pink at the center (internal temperature should be 125-130°F). Remove the salmon and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in capers, cream, milk, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping up the browned bits from the pan.

4. Add the Spinach: Stir in the spinach and cook until it wilts, about 1 minute. Return the salmon to the skillet and warm it for 2 minutes, spooning the sauce over it.

5. Serve: Serve the salmon topped with the creamy sauce and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with lemon wedges.

Nutrients

• Calories: ~500 kcal per serving

• Protein: 35g

• Carbohydrates: 5g

• Fat: 38g

• Saturated Fat: 12g

• Cholesterol: 115mg

• Sodium: 850mg

• Potassium: 700mg

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 3g

The Salmon: Perfectly Pan-Seared

The key to making Creamy Tuscan Salmon is cooking the salmon fillets to perfection. Start by letting the salmon come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. This ensures even cooking and helps the salmon cook through without becoming tough. Pat the fillets dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture, which will help achieve that perfect sear.

Rub the salmon with olive oil, and season generously with kosher salt, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. This simple seasoning highlights the natural flavors of the salmon while complementing the creamy sauce.

To cook the salmon, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up and cook for about 3-5 minutes until they are cooked halfway through. Flipping the salmon at this stage allows the skin to crisp up while keeping the fish tender on the inside. Then, flip the fillets over, reduce the heat to medium, and spoon the pan juices over the salmon to help it cook evenly and stay moist. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes, until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 125-130°F, ensuring that it’s just tender and slightly pink in the center. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside.

The Sauce: Creamy and Flavorful

In the same skillet used to cook the salmon, you’ll make the creamy sauce that brings all the flavors together. Start by melting butter over low heat. Add the finely minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant. The sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, tangy depth to the sauce, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.

Next, stir in the capers, which provide a salty, briny kick that pairs beautifully with the richness of the cream. Then, add heavy cream and milk, and simmer the sauce for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will allow the sauce to thicken slightly, and the browned bits from the pan (which are packed with flavor) will mix into the sauce, creating a deep, savory base.

Adding Spinach: A Pop of Color and Freshness

Once the sauce has simmered, it’s time to add spinach. Stir in the 2 cups of baby spinach and cook until it wilts, about 1 minute. The spinach adds a fresh, earthy element to the dish and complements the richness of the sauce. Its vibrant color also makes the dish visually appealing, adding a pop of green to the creamy sauce.

Bringing It All Together: Combining the Salmon and Sauce

Now it’s time to return the salmon to the skillet. Gently place the cooked salmon fillets back into the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Let the salmon warm in the sauce for about 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Serving: A Flavorful and Elegant Dish

Once the salmon is heated through and coated in the creamy Tuscan sauce, it’s ready to serve. Spoon the sauce generously over the salmon fillets and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a final burst of flavor. Garnish with lemon wedges for a touch of citrusy brightness that complements the richness of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Creamy Tuscan Salmon pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. You can serve it over rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice) for a filling and nutritious meal. Steamed vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make an excellent side, as their freshness balances the creamy richness of the salmon and sauce. If you’re looking for something lighter, a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each serving of Creamy Tuscan Salmon contains around 500 calories, making it a hearty yet balanced meal. With 35g of protein, it provides a solid amount of sustenance, thanks to the salmon. The 38g of fat includes healthy fats from the salmon and olive oil, contributing to the dish’s rich, satisfying texture.

While the saturated fat content is 12g, this comes from both the butter and heavy cream, which contribute to the creamy consistency of the sauce. The dish has a relatively moderate amount of carbohydrates at 5g and includes 2g of fiber from the spinach, providing additional nutritional benefits.

This recipe is also a good source of vitamin A (295 IU) from the spinach, potassium (700mg) from the salmon and spinach, and calcium (28mg) from the Parmesan cheese. Iron (1mg) is also provided, supporting healthy blood function.

Conclusion: A Flavorful, Quick, and Luxurious Dish

Creamy Tuscan Salmon is the epitome of a luxurious yet simple meal. With its rich, creamy sauce, tender salmon, and bold, savory flavors from the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and spinach, it’s a dish that will impress guests and satisfy your cravings. Despite its decadent flavor, this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions when you want to create something memorable without spending hours in the kitchen.

With its balance of flavors, textures, and nutrients, Creamy Tuscan Salmon is a must-try for any seafood lover or anyone looking to add a bit of elegance to their dinner table. Whether paired with rice or vegetables, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.