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Pan-Seared Salmon with a Creamy Florentine Sauce

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This Pan-Seared Salmon with Creamy Florentine Sauce is an elegant dish featuring crispy salmon fillets nestled in a rich, creamy spinach sauce infused with garlic, Parmesan, and a hint of lemon. Perfect for a special occasion or an indulgent weeknight meal, this recipe pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale

For the salmon:

  • 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the creamy Florentine sauce:

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional garnish:

  • Lemon slices
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the salmon

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Pan-sear the salmon

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up in the skillet. Sear for 4–5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.
  3. Flip the salmon and cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside.

3. Make the Florentine sauce

  1. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes, until wilted.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and lemon juice. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Combine and serve

  1. Return the salmon fillets to the skillet, spooning the creamy Florentine sauce over the top. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to heat through.
  2. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.

Notes

  • Salmon Options: Use fresh or frozen salmon; thaw frozen fillets completely before cooking.
  • Make-Ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead of time and reheat gently when ready to serve.
  • Pairings: Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.