This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Creamy Salmon recipe is easy, delicious and ready in 20 minutes. Learn how to cook salmon in a mouth-watering, creamy coconut sauce. Pan seared salmon fillets are juicy inside with crispy edges. Coated in a delicious dairy-free coconut garlic sauce with a hint of chili.
It is a one-skillet dish. You will love everything about this salmon recipe, how easy it comes together and how amazingly it tastes. Perfect for lunch or dinner!
HOW TO PAN SEAR SALMON?
Pan searing helps to develop color and flavor. Letโs have a look at this method.
โข Bring salmon to room temperature.
โข Wash salmon and pat dry. You can keep skin on or use skinless fillets. Personally I prefer to use skinless salmon fillets for recipes with a sauce.
โข Heat oil in a large skillet which can accommodate all the fillets.
โข Season salmon with garlic powder, salt and pepper all over.
What side of salmon do you sear first?
โข Start with the skin-side down and flesh-side up and sear for 4-5 minutes, depending on thickness of salmon. Once it is crisp, flip and sear for 5 minutes more.
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY SALMON
โข Salmon: Season salmon and pan sear in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Once it is cooked, transfer to a plate.
โข Make the creamy coconut sauce: In the same skillet cook garlic until fragrant, stir in coconut cream, coconut milk powder and almond flour. Season with salt, red chili flakes and add 1 green chili.
โข Return salmon back to the pan: When the creamy sauce is ready, put the salmon into the skillet with the sauce, top with charred lemon slices and sprinkle with parsley.
โข Serve: It goes really well with so many dishes. Serve it with steamed broccoli, Instant Pot Jasmine rice, Instant Pot brown Rice, mashed potatoes or with quinoa salad.
Baking Salmon
Some people prefer baking salmon to pan searing because baking doesnโt require your constant attention. And it is perfect method of cooking if you have 4 fillets or even less.
How to season salmon for baking?
I recommend to use salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder. You can mince garlic and rub it on salmon fillets instead of using garlic powder. Actually salmon goes well with so many spices and herbs. You can add dill, sage, parsley or coriander. The last will work especially well with coconut cream sauce.
Do you cover salmon when baking?
Season salmon and bake for at 450ยฐF / 225 ยฐC for 12-15 minutes, uncovered. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of salmon fillets.
How do you know when salmon is done baking?
When salmon is cooked through, its color changes from red to pale pink. Another way to check for doneness is to peek a sharp knife into the thickest part of the fillet and see if meat starts to flake or not. If yes, salmon is done. This is how you can tell if salmon is done baking for this creamy salmon recipe.
Baking method for Creamy Coconut Salmon:
โข In the preheated oven bake salmon for 12-15 minutes at 450ยฐF / 225 ยฐC.
โข Prepare the coconut cream sauce as described in the recipe.
โข Pour the sauce over the cooked salmon fillets and bake another 3-5 minutes.
If you like this Creamy Salmon recipe, try other seafood recipes with creamy sauce:
- Garlic Shrimp in Buttery Creamy Sauce
- Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp
- Baked Fish fillets in creamy sauce
- Baked Trout in Parisienne sauce
- Shrimp Alfredo
If you make this Creamy salmon recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating! I will be happy to hear from you!
CREAMY SALMON RECIPE
Equipment
Ingredients
- FOR THE SALMON
- Vegetable oil-2 tbsp.
- Salmon fillets, skinless or skin on- 4 , about 1 kg/ 2.2 pound
- Garlic powder- 1 1/2 tsp.
- Salt and black pepper- as needed
- Charred lemon slices- 3-4, optional
- FOR THE CREAMY SAUCE
- Garlic cloves, finely chopped-6
- Coconut cream- 1 1/4 cup
- Coconut milk powder- 2 tbsp.
- Almond flour- 1 tbsp.
- Red chili flakes- 1/4 tsp.
- Ground black pepper- 1/2 tsp.
- Green chili, sliced-1
- Salt – to taste
Instructions
- In a large non stick pan/ skillet heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Season salmon fillets with garlic powder, salt and ground black pepper on both sides. Once the pan is very hot, sear salmon for 5 minutes on each side or until it is cooked through. Remove from the pan and keep aside.
- In the same pan/skilletย cook the chopped garlic until fragrant, about 30-40 seconds. Add in the coconut cream, red chili flakes and coconut powder. Mix well.
- Stir in almond flour, season with salt and pepper. Add green chili.
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce simmer for another minute or until all the ingredients release their flavors and sauce thickens a little bit. Test the sauce and adjust the seasoning to your liking, if needed.
- Return the salmon to the pan, top withย charred lemon slices and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve with steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, homemade pasta , jasmine rice or cauliflower rice.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
All rights reserved. CHEF JAR. All images and content are copyright protected. PLEASE do not use my images without my permission. If you want to share this recipe, PLEASE provide a link back to this post.
Creamy salmon looks absolutely delicious. It’s nice that this dish is dairy-free thanks to the coconut milk. The salmon looks like it stays nice and tender.
Thank you so much Hannah! I am so happy you liked the recipe!Hope your family enjoyed it too)))