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Y’all know I love a salmon dinner and this Creamy Spring Salmon is perfect for the new season!
This Creamy Spring Salmon is seriously fantastic! It is bursting with all the spring flavors I cannot get enough of. And while this dish is so simple to prepare for your everyday weeknight dinner, the flavors are so impressive that this would be perfect when hosting family or friends for dinner.
The salmon is simply seasoned and seared then set aside while you make the sauce. With a Dijon and wine base made with coconut milk, this dish is perfectly creamy while keeping things dairy-free. Finished with the brightness of lemon and freshness from the chives, dill, and tarragon, this meal is truly *chef’s kiss.*
Ingredients:
- Salmon Filets
- Salt and Pepper
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Shallot
- Dijon Mustard
- Dry White Wine
- Unsweetened Full-Fat Coconut Milk:Â Sub Heavy Creamer
- Lemon Zest and Juice
- Fresh Herbs: Chives, Dill, and Tarragon
Step-By-Step:
Step One: Prep the Salmon
Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel then season both sides evenly with the salt and pepper.
Step Two: Sear the Salmon
In a large non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until golden brown, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Step Three: Start the Sauce Base
Reduce heat to medium and add the garlic and shallot. Gently sauté being careful not to burn, about 1 minute. Add the Dijon and pour in the white wine. Whisk until smooth and cook until the wine has reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
Step Four: Mix in the Coconut Milk
While whisking, slowly pour in the coconut milk until well incorporated and bring to a rapid simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat so the sauce is lightly simmering, about medium-low heat.
Step Five: Add the Herbs and Salmon to Skillet
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, chives, dill, tarragon, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Nestle the salmon back into the sauce and cook, uncovered, until the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness, 3 to 5 more minutes.
Step Six: Serve and Enjoy!
Top with more fresh herbs and serve! I like to serve with roasted asparagus and serve over a short pasta, like orzo.
I like to serve this over short rice, like orzo, but this would even be great over couscous too! Whatever you prefer to help soak up more of this sauce. Then simply pair with roasted asparagus or broccolini, your meal will come together in no time and be beyond impressive!
For More Spring Menu Ideas:
Sheet Pan Spring Chicken with Artichokes and Asparagus
Creamy Spring Salmon
Ingredients
For the Salmon:
- 4 skinless salmon fillets 6 to 8 ounces each
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup halved and thinly sliced shallot about 1 large shallot
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 cup unsweetened full-fat coconut milk sub heavy creamer
- Grated zest of ½ lemon
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon plus more for garnish
- ¼ kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Salmon:
- Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel then season both sides evenly with the salt and pepper.
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until golden brown, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Make the Sauce:
- Reduce heat to medium and add the garlic and shallot. Gently sauté being careful not to burn, about 1 minute. Add the Dijon and pour in the white wine. Whisk until smooth and cook until the wine has reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
- While whisking, slowly pour in the coconut milk until well incorporated and bring to a rapid simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat so the sauce is lightly simmering, about medium-low heat.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, chives, dill, tarragon, salt, and pepper and stir to combine. Nestle the salmon back into the sauce and cook, uncovered, until the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness, 3 to 5 more minutes.
- Top with more fresh herbs and serve! I like to serve with roasted asparagus and serve over a short pasta, like orzo.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography and styling by Eat Love Eats.
This was SO delicious. You never fail! Dinner made easy, fun and enjoyable. 10/10
So glad to hear it, thank you!!
This looks beautiful – Im wondering .. family aren’t fans of the flavor of coconut but heavy cream sounds rich/heavy for a substitution. Is there anything lighter that would work and not compromise the sauce?
I would suggest heavy creamer as the sub. It will definitely be a bit heavier in taste, but will be delicious still.
Hi! Could you substitute the salmon for a white fish? If so, what would you recommend?
yes!! I would go with Halibut, or cod. Cod is a little fishier but still white and flakey, while halibut will be flakey and a little less fishy.
I made this tonight & we absolutely LOVED it!! Not only is it delicious, it’s also super fancy yet super simple. I paired it with orzo & asparagus and have no doubt this will become a quick & common 20 minute meal in our house!
Hi! How would you substitute salmon with chicken breasts or thighs? Thank you!
Yes it will be delicious with pan seared chicken
This sounds delicious! Some of my family are not fans of salmon, is there another fish that you would recommend this would be good with?
Is the coconut milk the kind you get in a can in the Asian grocery section or is it the kind you get near the cartons of almond milk and other milks in the refrigerated section? Thanks!
I use the cans or this brand from Amazon is wonderful!
Thanks so much for your prompt reply!
What could I substitute for the wine? Veg broth? 😬
Yes, that works great! I would include an additional 1/2 tbsp of lemon juice as well to help with the brightness that the wine usually brings.
Ran to this as soon as it was published! Made it for dinner tonight and it was KILLER. Another hit from Alex.
Thank you so much!
This was absolutely unreal! Completely forget to put tarragon on my grocery list, but was sooo yummy and springy without it. Can’t wait to try it the right way next time!
It says skinless fillets, but instructions indicate skin side down.
Thank you for catching this! We have updated this.
This looks delicious… might have to change my Easter dinner. Can the sauce be done a day ahead?
Yes!! you can make the sauce a day ahead! great idea!