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Marry Me Salmon

Marry Me Salmon

The **Marry Me Salmon** recipe is a culinary declaration of love, offering a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home. This recipe is perfect for a romantic dinner, a special occasion, or whenever you crave a truly decadent and satisfying seafood experience without the fuss.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Active Cooking Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 fillets
Course: Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs salmon fillets skin-on or skinless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a touch of heat
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
  • lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Oven-Safe Pan
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving a nice sear. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If your salmon has skin on, you can leave it or carefully remove it.
    salt, freshly ground black pepper, 1.5 lbs salmon fillets
  2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted and the oil is shimmering, carefully place the salmon fillets into the hot pan. If using skin-on fillets, place them skin-side down first.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, 1.5 lbs salmon fillets
  3. Sear the salmon for about 3-4 minutes per side, until a golden-brown crust forms. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fillets. You don't need to cook them through completely at this stage, as they will finish cooking in the sauce. Once seared, remove the salmon from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
    1.5 lbs salmon fillets
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet (there should be enough leftover oil and butter, but add a little more if needed). Sauté the garlic for about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
    4 cloves garlic
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Continue to stir until the Parmesan cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
    1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  6. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
    salt, freshly ground black pepper
  7. Gently nestle the seared salmon fillets back into the creamy sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of each fillet.
    1.5 lbs salmon fillets
  8. Cover the skillet (if you have a lid) or transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your salmon.
  9. Carefully remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve the Marry Me Salmon immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
    fresh parsley, lemon wedges

Notes

Storing Leftovers:
Allow the Marry Me Salmon to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftover salmon and sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cream-based sauce tends to thicken as it cools.
Reheating Instructions:
Stovetop (Recommended): Gently reheat the salmon and sauce in a skillet over low heat. Add a tablespoon or two of milk or water if the sauce seems too thick. Stir gently until heated through. Be careful not to overcook the salmon, or it may become dry.
Oven: Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and reheat at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Again, be mindful of overcooking.
Microwave (Use with Caution): Reheat in short intervals (30 seconds), stirring gently between each, until warm. This method can sometimes make the salmon a bit less tender.
Freezing:
While it's best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze Marry Me Salmon. Cool completely and store in a freezer-safe airtight container. Freeze for up to 1 month. The texture of the sauce may change slightly upon thawing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as per the stovetop or oven method.