Creamy Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Printable)

Golden pan-seared salmon in a velvety parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each), skinless
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ For Searing

04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Cream Sauce

05 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
08 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
11 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ To Finish

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add salmon fillets and sear for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
04 - Pour in chicken or vegetable broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
06 - Add fresh lemon juice to the sauce. Return salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning sauce generously over each piece. Simmer for 2 minutes until salmon is heated through. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce creates this incredibly velvety texture that coats every forkful
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add this burst of tangy sweetness that cuts through the rich cream
  • It looks fancy enough for date night but comes together on a busy Tuesday
02 -
  • Patting the salmon completely dry before seasoning is what creates that beautiful golden sear instead of steaming
  • The sauce thickens quickly once you add the cream so keep it at a gentle simmer
  • Letting the salmon rest while you make the sauce prevents it from overcooking
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying pre-grated for better melting
  • Warm your plates slightly so the sauce stays velvety longer

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