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Crispy Skin Salmon Recipe with Easy Creamy Garlic Spinach Side

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A quick and easy recipe featuring perfectly seared salmon with crispy skin paired with a luscious, garlicky creamy spinach side. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinners, this dish balances texture and flavor with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 skin-on salmon fillets, 6-8 ounces each (170-225g), preferably wild-caught
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 3–4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 6 cups packed fresh spinach (about 180g), washed and roughly chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120ml)
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (14g)
  • 1 small lemon, zested and juiced

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add the chopped spinach in batches if needed, stirring until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and add the Parmesan cheese. Stir gently and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Keep warm.
  5. Heat olive oil in a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Place the salmon fillets skin-side down in the pan, pressing gently with a spatula to keep the skin flat. Cook without moving for 5-7 minutes until the skin is crispy and releases easily.
  7. Flip the fillets and cook flesh-side down for an additional 1-2 minutes for medium doneness (add 1-2 minutes if preferred more cooked).
  8. Remove salmon from the pan and let rest for 2 minutes. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top before serving.
  9. Serve the salmon over or beside the creamy garlic spinach.

Notes

Pat salmon skin very dry before cooking to ensure crispiness. Use medium-high heat and do not move the salmon until the skin releases naturally. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese alternative. Rest salmon after cooking to keep it moist. Serve immediately for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: salmon recipe, crispy skin salmon, creamy garlic spinach, quick dinner, easy salmon, healthy dinner, weeknight meal, seafood recipe

Find it online: https://atomicbite.com/crispy-skin-salmon-recipe-with-easy-creamy-garlic-spinach-side/