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    Home » Fish & Seafood

    Creamy Lemon Salmon

    Published: May 10, 2022 / Updated: Jul 3, 2022 / 37 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This creamy lemon salmon recipe is decadent yet easy with very few ingredients and is ready in only 20 minutes! The bright lemon cream sauce is really addictive.

    You may also enjoy my Creamy Garlic Salmon or Creamy Dill Salmon.

    a skillet with creamy lemon salmon

    Why you need to try it

    This is one of those elegant yet really simple dishes that will wow your family (or guests) with hardly effort on your part. The pan-seared salmon is perfectly crisp on the outside and flaky and tender on the inside, and the zesty lemon cream sauce makes the best pairing.

    Learning to cook salmon on the stovetop, in my opinion, is an essential kitchen skill to have. The good news is that it's super easy to master! In fact, it's so effortless that you'll be making this quick salmon recipe on any old weeknight, not just special occasions.

    Ingredients for it

    • Salmon - we're using fresh salmon that's cut into four pieces
    • Garlic powder and salt & pepper - for perfectly seasoning each piece of fish individually
    • Flour - for dredging and getting a great crust/browning on the salmon, and it also thickens up the sauce a little
    • Olive oil and butter - for sautéing and making the rich base of the sauce
    • Chicken broth - it gives even more savory flavor to the sauce. You can definitely use dry white wine instead.
    • Lemon juice - always use freshly squeezed
    • Italian seasoning - grab a jar of this fragrant blend that has rosemary and thyme and other dried herbs. I use it for so many sauces!
    • Dijon mustard - it's a flavor enhancer to build up the layers of savory taste
    • Heavy cream - what makes the sauce luxurious
    • Italian parsley - for a pop of freshness to top it all off
    ingredients for creamy lemon salmon on a counter

    Pro tip

    • If you want to highlight the lemon flavor even more, some lemon zest would give another burst of lemony goodness to the sauce. It's easy to grate with a Microplane zester.

    How to make creamy lemon salmon

    This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    dredging salmon in flour and pan frying in a skillet

    Cut the salmon into 4 roughly equal sized pieces. Coat in garlic powder, salt & pepper, and flour. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the fish for 3-4 minutes per side, taking care to not overcook it. Transfer to a plate.

    making creamy lemon sauce for salmon in a skillet

    Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard to the pan. Stir it until the mustard has been incorporated, and then let it simmer for a minute or two. Pour in the cream, add the salmon back in, and simmer until the salmon has cooked through. Top with fresh parsley.

    Tips for how to cook salmon

    • It's very important to use your eyes to guide the process! Watch for the color change as the salmon is cooking. It will start as a brighter, deeper pink and transition to a lighter shade of pink.
    • If it's sticking to the pan, don't force it off. Let it cook more, and it will naturally release.
    • Note that if your fish is thicker than about 1", the cooking time may vary.

    Substitutions and variations

    • You can use salmon with or without the skin. If you do happen to buy skin-on salmon but don't want to eat the skin, it's really easy to peel it off once the fish is cooked. I'd do it after the searing step.
    • I suggest using full-fat cream vs. something like half-and-half or milk. In my experience, the sauce is much more likely to curdle when you have that much lemon juice in it and use something with a much lower fat content.
    • What to add in some greens? Toss in a handful of spinach once it's nearly done cooking! Whatever fresh herbs you have in the garden would work too.
    a plate with mashed potatoes, creamy lemon salmon, and corn

    What to serve with it

    • I enjoy eating this lemon salon with a pile of Garlic Mashed Potatoes to soak up that delicious creamy sauce! Rice or pasta works too. Try it over top of these Easy Garlic Butter Noodles.
    • For a veggie side dish, try steamed vegetables, fresh corn, or this Simple Asparagus Recipe.
    • Go ahead and grate some fresh parmesan cheese from a block if you want to go all-out on the decadence. That would make it extra tasty.

    Leftovers and storage

    • Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, but we do prefer eating seafood leftovers sooner rather than later.
    • Reheat over a low heat in a covered saucepan. If the heat is too high, the sauce is liable to separate.
    • Leftover salmon is really good served cold in my Super Simple Parmesan Arugula Salad the next day. Simply crumble it over top!
    • Freezing this one won't work well since it has dairy.

    Love seafood? Try these next

    • Creamy Lemon Garlic Pan Seared Scallops
    • Creamy Salmon Piccata
    • Easy Creamy Tuscan Shrimp Recipe
    • Salmon Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce
    • Honey Soy Sauce Glazed Salmon
    closeup of creamy lemon salmon in a skillet with lemon wedges

    Any questions, or did you make this recipe? Are you a fan of a good cream sauce for salmon? Talk to me in the comments below! You can also tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram with your beautiful creations.

    a skillet with creamy lemon salmon

    Creamy Lemon Salmon

    This creamy lemon salmon recipe is decadent yet easy with very few ingredients and is ready in only 20 minutes! The bright lemon cream sauce is really addictive.
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 437 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 pound fresh salmon cut into 4 pieces
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Flour for dredging
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
    • Fresh parsley to taste, chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Cut your salmon into 4 pieces. Sprinkle it with the garlic powder and season with salt & pepper. Dredge each piece in flour on all sides.
    • Add the olive oil and butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the fish. Cook it for 3-4 minutes/side or until it's nicely browned. Be careful not to overcook - the salmon shouldn't be cooked fully yet. Remove salmon to a plate and set aside.
    • Add the chicken broth, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, and Dijon mustard to the pan. Stir until mustard has dissolved, and let it bubble for a minute or two.
    • Add the cream to the pan, along with the salmon. Let it cook for a few more minutes until the sauce has thickened a bit and the fish has cooked through.
    • Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Serve immediately. 

    Notes

    • I don't recommend subbing the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk because then the sauce is likely to break because of the citrus juice, and the sauce won't thicken up as well.
    • See blog post for tips on cooking the fish.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 25gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 212mgPotassium: 632mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1011IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword creamy lemon salmon, lemon salmon recipe
    Author Natasha Bull

    This recipe was originally published on June 13, 2018. It's been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!

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    1. Alexandra says

      February 15, 2023 at 6:37 AM

      I want to add shrimp… when would you add the shrimp?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        February 15, 2023 at 11:39 AM

        They only take a few mins to cook so right at the end.

        Reply
    2. Tricia C says

      December 18, 2022 at 1:02 PM

      5 stars
      Perfect recipe! This one is part of our rotation served over fettuccine. I love lemon and add the zest as suggested to make it pop.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 18, 2022 at 3:25 PM

        Thank you!! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Anna says

      December 12, 2022 at 6:09 PM

      5 stars
      This was delicious and FAST recipe! Totally not intimidating like most salmon recipes. Perfect for a 30 minute weeknight meal!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        December 12, 2022 at 9:59 PM

        I'm so happy to hear that, Anna!! Appreciate your 5-star review. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Macki says

      October 17, 2022 at 7:10 PM

      5 stars
      My husband avoids salmon and only occasionally will eat halibut and mahimahi. But, because salmon was recommended by his nutritionist, he said he'd try it if it didn't smell or taste too fishy. I am happy to have found your recipe. He turned to me and said, "This is good." It just melted in our mouths. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        October 17, 2022 at 8:51 PM

        I'm so happy it was a hit! 😀

        Reply
    5. Anna says

      September 13, 2022 at 7:30 PM

      5 stars
      Delicious

      Reply
      • Miranda @ Salt & Lavender says

        September 13, 2022 at 8:46 PM

        Thank you so much, Anna!

        Reply
    6. Angela says

      May 21, 2022 at 3:19 PM

      5 stars
      Wow Natasha , I made this tonight and it was fabulous. So many flavours . Added some spinach and served it with pasta . Delish 🤩

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 21, 2022 at 5:16 PM

        I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 😀

        Reply
    7. Bob says

      July 12, 2020 at 1:40 AM

      I am not a fan of a strong dijon mustard taste, but I know a lot of recipes use mustard to develop a more complex flavor without really tasting like mustard. Is the flavor of the mustard strong in this, or more subtle? The recipe looks and sounds great!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 12, 2020 at 8:44 AM

        Hi Bob! I’d say it’s more subtle in this one. You could add a little less or leave it out altogether if you’re worried. You’re right, though, that’s why I include a small amount of Dijon in so many of my recipes. 😊

        Reply
    8. Alice says

      March 26, 2020 at 5:25 AM

      5 stars
      Normally I only pick recipes based on the amount of reviews, but I came across this on Instagram and decided to give it a try. I have been missing out! I am not a strong cook but this was so easy and tasted way out of my cooking range lol. New fan. I’m planning on making recipes from your site every night this week!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        March 26, 2020 at 10:05 AM

        Aww I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Alice! So glad you'll be trying more of my recipes. 🙂

        Reply
    9. jennifer says

      September 2, 2019 at 11:57 AM

      5 stars
      great recipe, I made this two nights in a row, once with baby potatoes and once with rice. it was delicious! thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        September 2, 2019 at 8:58 PM

        That is awesome!! Thanks for letting me know, Jennifer!

        Reply
    10. Lis says

      August 31, 2019 at 10:42 AM

      Your salmon recipe is fantastic

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 31, 2019 at 1:23 PM

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    11. Marie says

      April 17, 2019 at 7:29 AM

      Can the dijon mustard be omitted if I don't have any or can it be substituted?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 17, 2019 at 7:59 AM

        Hi Marie! I'd just skip it. Hope you like the recipe!

        Reply
    12. Jallisa says

      August 8, 2018 at 4:45 PM

      5 stars
      Natasha I recently tried this recipe and it was great!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 8, 2018 at 8:40 PM

        So happy to hear it! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂

        Reply
    13. Sarah Cummings says

      June 24, 2018 at 9:41 AM

      5 stars
      So simple but delicious. Ive got to try this next week. Reading this has just made me so hungry!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 24, 2018 at 7:03 PM

        Hope you love it, Sarah! 🙂

        Reply
    14. ABland says

      June 19, 2018 at 8:04 PM

      Will the sauce keep for a few days?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 19, 2018 at 9:45 PM

        Like with the fish cooked in it? I personally wouldn't leave it in the fridge for more than a day or so, but then I am quite rigid with food safety stuff like that. Cream sauces also can separate when reheated, so I prefer eating this type of dish day-of.

        Reply
    15. Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says

      June 15, 2018 at 5:39 AM

      Creamy lemon? Yes!

      Reply
    16. Sarah Fennel says

      June 14, 2018 at 9:57 AM

      5 stars
      YUM. I want this for dinner tonight!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 15, 2018 at 8:39 PM

        Thanks, Sarah. I'd send some over if I could!

        Reply
    17. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      June 13, 2018 at 10:55 AM

      5 stars
      Lining this up for dinner soon Natasha! That sauce has me totally drooling!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 13, 2018 at 11:33 AM

        Thank you!! I hope you love it, Mary Ann! 🙂

        Reply
        • Bianca says

          March 18, 2019 at 12:38 PM

          5 stars
          Could this work with coconut cream? I’m trying to go dairy free, but this recipe looks so darn good!!

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            March 18, 2019 at 1:58 PM

            Hi Bianca! I think it could work. You'll definitely get a different flavor (coconut) and texture, but I think the flavors would work. Let me know how it goes!

            Reply
    18. Matt Robinson says

      June 13, 2018 at 10:30 AM

      Cole would eat salmon every day if we let him. Love this recipe!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 13, 2018 at 11:33 AM

        Cole has good taste! 😉

        Reply

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    Natasha Bull, founder and author of Salt & Lavender, in the kitchen

    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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