My easy Marry Me Salmon is so flavorful it may just inspire a proposal. Flaky salmon fillets swim in a creamy, slightly spicy sun-dried tomato sauce—ready in about 40 minutes but tastes like you spent hours on it.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Salmon Recipe
- Perfect for Dinner Parties – A saucy, herb-forward dish that impresses a crowd without complicated steps.
- Great for Date Night – Elegant and indulgent, ideal for a cozy evening at home.
- Restaurant Flavor, Home Simplicity – Tastes upscale but is easy enough for cooks of all levels and much more economical than dining out.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Simple pantry staples and a few fresh items come together for the sauce. Use these ingredients or the suggested swaps:
- Salmon Fillets – Skin removed. Buy a side and portion it yourself or use pre-portioned filets.
- Dried Basil & Dried Thyme – Or swap in Italian seasoning. If using fresh herbs, use about three times the amount.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – For depth; if you have flakes, use about three times and pulse them in a grinder for a finer texture.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Adjust to taste for more or less heat.
- Chicken Broth or Stock – Unsalted gives better control; vegetable stock works for a pescatarian option.
- Heavy Cream – For a rich, silky sauce. Light whipping cream can be used if needed.
- Chopped Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Oil-packed are softer and more flavorful; dry-packed works in a pinch.
- Garlic – Fresh is best, but jarred minced garlic is acceptable.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan – Freshly grated melts and tastes far better than pre-grated varieties.
- Fresh Basil – Adds brightness at the end. Thin chiffonade slices make a pretty garnish.
- Olive Oil, Kosher Salt & Black Pepper – Basic seasoning staples.
Equipment
- Sharp knife & cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Small mixing bowl
- Large skillet
- Fish spatula or spatula
- Cooking spoon
How To Make Marry Me Salmon
This dish comes together in under an hour with straightforward steps:
Step 1: Make the Spice Blend. Combine dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Step 2: Season the Salmon. Rub half the spice mix onto both sides of the salmon fillets.
Step 3: Sear the Salmon. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the salmon flesh-side down first, about 5 minutes per side, until a golden crust forms. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Sauté Aromatics. Reduce heat to low, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet. Optionally add a splash of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté 1–2 minutes.
Step 5: Deglaze the Pan. Pour in chicken stock and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet.
Step 6: Make the Creamy Sauce. Add heavy cream, freshly grated parmesan, and the remaining seasoning. Stir to combine.
Step 7: Simmer to Thicken. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low and cook 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 8: Finish the Salmon. Nestle the seared salmon back into the sauce and spoon sauce over the fillets. Cook 3–5 minutes more depending on preferred doneness (3 minutes for medium, 5 for more well done).
Step 9: Serve. Plate a fillet, spoon extra sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh basil. Serve immediately.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
Customize the recipe to suit dietary needs:
- Dairy-Free: Use vegan whipping cream and a plant-based parmesan alternative.
- Pescatarian: Swap chicken stock for vegetable broth and choose a vegetarian parmesan if desired.
- Adjust Spice: Reduce or increase red pepper flakes to suit your taste. For families with children, start with 1/4 tsp and add more later if needed.
Expert Tips
- Buy Smart: Frozen fish can be less expensive and often fresher than labeled “fresh.”
- Check for Pin Bones: Run your fingertips along the fillet to find and remove any stray bones with tweezers.
- Don’t Disturb the Fish: Let the salmon sear undisturbed to form a good crust before flipping.
- Thicken Slowly: Allow the sauce to simmer the full 10–15 minutes for the right consistency that clings to the fish.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe works year-round and pairs well with many sides:
- Weeknight: Serve over steamed rice or with roasted vegetables for a quick, satisfying meal.
- Date Night: Pair with crusty bread, a simple salad, and a crisp white wine.
- Dinner Party: Toss the sauce with pasta and top with fillets for an elegant main course.
- Low-Carb: Serve with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftovers keep, but are best fresh. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently: warm the sauce slowly and add the salmon at the end to just take the chill off, avoiding overcooking.
FAQs
Marry Me sauce is a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce popularized by the viral Marry Me chicken recipe. Marry Me Salmon uses the same sauce with salmon fillets instead of chicken for a seafood variation.
Both remove moisture from tomatoes. Commercial sun-dried tomatoes are often dried in machines and finished in the sun; dehydrated tomatoes may be dried exclusively with machines. Flavor and texture can vary between methods.
Many sauces pair well with fish: teriyaki, spicy mayo, Baja-style sauces, pesto, tzatziki, or a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce like this one.
Oven-roasted cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers can be used, though they lack the same concentrated umami. Boost tomato flavor with concentrated tomato paste, tomato powder, or tomato bouillon if needed.
This version has a mild to moderate kick. Adjust red pepper flakes to suit your spice tolerance.
Related Recipes
More Salmon Recipes
- Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Parmesan Herb Crusted Salmon
- Bang Bang Salmon
- Honey Garlic Salmon Bites
- Baked Pesto Butter Salmon
More Dinner Recipes
- Chicken Pomodoro Skillet
- Easy Boursin Pasta
- Greek Chicken Meatballs
- Mexican Beef & Rice Skillet
- Crusted Chicken Romano
- Spicy Mayo Tuna Rice Bowl
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Marry Me Salmon
5 from 5 reviews
- Author: Kayla Berman
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 Servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
Description
My easy Marry Me Salmon recipe is so yummy, it might just earn you a marriage proposal! This flaky salmon in a spicy, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce takes about 40 minutes and delivers big flavor.
Ingredients
- 3–4 salmon fillets, skin removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup unsalted chicken stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Combine dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub half the seasoning mix onto the salmon fillets, coating both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear salmon flesh-side down first and cook about 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to low and add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pan. Optionally add a splash of the sun-dried tomato oil. Sauté 1–2 minutes.
- Add chicken stock and deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in heavy cream, freshly grated parmesan, and the remaining seasoning mix.
- Simmer over medium-low for 10–15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Return the salmon to the skillet, spooning sauce over the fillets. Cook 3–5 minutes more depending on preferred doneness.
- Plate the salmon, spoon extra sauce on top, and garnish with fresh basil. Serve immediately.