Creamy salmon is the kind of dish that strikes the perfect balance between comfort food and sophisticated dining. It’s rich without being heavy, simple to prepare yet impressive enough for guests. At its core, it’s about bringing out the natural buttery texture of salmon and enhancing it with a silky, savory cream sauce that’s full of flavor.
What makes this dish shine is the sauce. A base of garlic-infused cream, enriched with a touch of butter and a splash of white wine or lemon juice, creates a velvety backdrop for the salmon. Add to that some herbs like dill or parsley, and perhaps a handful of baby spinach or sun-dried tomatoes, and the result is a full-flavored, deeply satisfying meal that comes together quickly.
Salmon itself is naturally rich and tender, making it an ideal candidate for creamy sauces. When cooked just right, the fillets flake beautifully while holding their shape. Pan-searing the salmon first adds a layer of caramelization, which brings depth to the overall flavor and gives the dish a more polished feel. Once the fish is set aside, you can use the same pan to build the sauce, making cleanup easier and ensuring every bite carries those savory pan flavors.
Creamy salmon pairs well with a wide range of sides. Try it over a bed of rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a hearty dinner. If you’re looking to keep it lighter, serve it with steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad. It also makes an elegant brunch item when paired with roasted asparagus or warm sourdough toast.
This dish works for all kinds of occasions, from a quick weeknight dinner to a romantic weekend meal. It’s satisfying, comforting, and adaptable. Best of all, it doesn’t require any fancy ingredients. A few pantry staples and a couple of salmon fillets are all you need to create a meal that feels indulgent without being overcomplicated.
Creamy salmon is a reminder that sometimes, the best meals are the ones that come together in a single pan, with flavors that linger long after the last bite.

Ingredients
- 4 fillets salmon fillets
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the salmon fillets in a baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the heavy cream, lemon juice, and dill to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the cream sauce for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Pour the cream sauce over the salmon fillets in the baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Serve the creamy salmon with your favorite side dishes.
Awesome! My kids even ate it without complaining! 🍽️
Yum!
Isn’t salmon too fatty to cook with heavy cream? Just sayin’. Less toppings for fish is better!
I get your point about the cream, but it really makes the salmon tasty! I think it balances the fattiness. Give it a try!
Nah, salmon is good with cream! You don’t know what you’re missing. More cream is always better!
Not sure about the dill. Could have used something else. Maybe thyme?
Soo good! I added extra lemon juice and it was delish 😋
I think salmon is overrated. This did not change my mind, but my hubs liked it.
Eew, salmon is gross. I don’t get why people like it, this recpie is not for me. 😖
I totally get it! Salmon can be an acquired taste. But maybe it’s worth a try with some different spices?
Lol, salmon is life! It’s super healthy too! Don’t knock it till you try it!
Just a heads up, make sure to watch the time closely, my first batch was overcooked. 😅
Thanks for the tip! I’ll keep an eye on it. Can’t wait to try this recipe! 😊
Overcooked? I thought you just had to bake it until it’s pink! 🤔
This was so easy to make! The cream sauce was delicious, my whole family loved it!
Delish! Can I freeze leftovers? Planning to make this for a party!
I don’t understand why people rave about this. The cream was too heavy for my taste. I’ll stick to grilling salmon next time.
I totally get where you’re coming from! Creamy dishes can be overwhelming sometimes. Grilling is definitely a classic for salmon.
Tried it, but it was a disaster. Salmon came out dry. 😢
I’m sorry to hear that! Did you follow the timing? Sometimes, even a couple of minutes can make a difference. 😕
Is there really dill in this? I think it’s a waste of time. Should just use salt.
Not bad but I feel like it needed more garlic. More flavor, ya know?
More garlic? Really? I think it was pretty strong already. Maybe add some herbs instead?
I totally agree! A bit more garlic would definitely kick it up a notch! Love garlic in my dishes!
Cream and fish? Seems odd. But I tried it and it wasn’t bad.
Tried it for dinner tonight. It was alright but I think I overcooked the salmon a bit. Still edible tho.
Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect. Will make again!
That’s awesome to hear! I love it when a recipe works out perfectly. What sides did you serve with it?
I tried the recipe too, but it was way too rich for me. Maybe I put too much cream?
Why garlic? It ruins everything! Next time, I’m doing it without garlic.
I don’t know about this. Salmon and cream? Doesn’t sound right to me.
This was amazing! My family loved it!
Can I use canned salmon instead? I ain’t got fresh ones.
Canned salmon works fine! Just make sure to drain it well. It’ll turn out great!
Tried this for dinner last night, and my family loved it! I added some capers too, yum!
Lol, I tried making this and forgot the salmon… ended up with creamy soup. Disastrous!
So easy to make! I’m not a cook, but I nailed this. Thanks for the recipe!
What’s dill? Can you use oregano instead? Just curious if it would work.
Dill is an herb that adds a fresh flavor. Oregano would taste different, but you can try it if you like! Just keep in mind it’ll change the taste.
What’s dill? Sounds weird! Just use the oregano, it’s better anyway, haha.
This is the best salmon recipe out there! I’ve tried a lot of them and this is a keeper!
Totally agree! This recipe made my dinner party a hit. Everyone loved it!
I don’t know, sounds too rich with all that cream. Salmon is nice with a bit of seasoning, right?
So creamy and delicious! I paired it with rice and broccoli. Will make again!
Wow! I added some capers and it took it to another level! Will definitely make again!
This recipe is AMAZING! The salmon turned out so creamy and delicious. My family loved it!
I totally agree! This recipe is a game changer. I’ve never had salmon so tasty!
I don’t know, the cream makes it too rich for my taste. Not my favorite.
I get that! The cream can really be overpowering. Maybe try a lighter sauce next time?
I don’t know, it didn’t taste that great to me. Maybe I did something wrong?
It might be the seasoning! Did you use enough salt and pepper? I gotta say, this recipe is a favorite of mine!
Honestly, I found it bland too. I added some spice and it turned out better. Give it another go!
Yum! Easy to make and my kids loved it. Thanks for sharing!
I’m not sure about the heavy cream, isn’t that a bit unhealthy? But I guess kids don’t mind! 🤔
So glad to hear your kids enjoyed it! It’s always a win when they like what we cook. 😊
Too much cream for my taste. Maybe half a cup would be better. Less calories, ya know?
I actually love the creaminess! It makes it so rich and flavorful. But I guess everyone’s taste is different. Maybe try yogurt instead?
Yummy! But I added some capers for a lil extra flavor. Really good!
This dish is sooo creamy, I felt like I was in heaven. Thanks for sharing!
Heaven? Really? It’s just salmon and cream. Must be an exaggeration! 🤔
I’m glad you loved it! The creaminess really does make it special. 😊
I didn’t have dill so I used basil. Still tasted good but I guess it’s not the same. Next time, I’ll try it right.
As long as it was tasty! Next time, just get that dill, it’s worth it! But I guess basil works too.
Basil?! Really? That’s a bold move! I usually just stick to the recipe, but I’m glad it still turned out good for you.
I used frozen salmon and it turned out fine. Just adjust the baking time.
Frozen salmon? Really? I thought fresh is always better!
Cream? In salmon? Eww. Not for me. I’ll stick to grillin’.
I used to think the same, but trust me, it’s really delicious! The cream makes the salmon so tender. Give it a try!
Grillin’ is great but you might be missing out. Creamy salmon is a whole different vibe!
I have to ask, is the butter necessary? I try to avoid extra fats when cooking.
This is the best salmon dish I’ve tried! So quick and easy! Thanks!
I totally agree! This salmon dish is a lifesaver. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight!
Are you sure it’s that good? I made it and thought it was too much cream. Might just be me tho.
Too much lemon. I prefer a milder flavor. My fam didn’t like it too much.
I actually love the lemon in this recipe! It adds such a fresh taste. Maybe try reducing it just a bit next time?
Too sour for my taste too. I didn’t even finish mine. Shoulda used less lemon, like 1/2 tbsp maybe.
This recipe is AMAZING! The cream sauce is to die for! Will definitely make it again.
This was horrible! The salmon was overcooked. Never again!
Sorry to hear that! Cooking time can really affect the texture. Maybe try undercooking it next time? Salmon should be flaky, not dry!
I think you might have just overcooked it a bit. Give it another shot! It can be so good when done right.
Gotta disagree, this whole cream thing is weird. Fish don’t belong in cream!
This is the best salmon recipe ever! So creamy and delicious. Will definitely make again!