Lemon Garlic Salmon in a Creamy Greek Yogurt Sauce

Name: Lemon Garlic Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 fillets salmon; 1 tsp garlic salt; ground black pepper (to taste ); 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 small shallot (diced ); 3 cloves garlic (minced ); 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk; ½ cup plain greek yogurt; ½ cup grated parmesan cheese; 4 cups fresh baby spinach; 1 lemon (juiced ); 2 tbsp parsley (fresh and chopped ); 1 tbsp chives (fresh and chopped )

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A quick and easy flavorful salmon recipe with the best Greek yogurt cream sauce out there. Topped with lemon, garlic, and fresh parsley this is the perfect healthy meal for a quick dinner idea.

creamy garlic salmon in a white wine sauce with capers in a cast lodge iron skillet

Salmon with a creamy spinach sauce made with Greek yogurt is one for the books! First of all, the picture above just makes my mouth water. The cream sauce is so tasty! Salmon is also super healthy for you. It is one of my staples when I am unsure what to cook! It takes minutes to make and there are a number of different ways you can cook salmon. One of my favorite salmon dishes that you must try is my Panko Encrusted Salmon with the most delicious homemade tartar sauce or my Easy Baked Salmon with Lemon and Butter (made in tinfoil).

Why eat salmon

Salmon is a very healthy option for you to eat. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is one of the top choices you can make for getting your potassium in. The standard portion size for wild Atlantic salmon is 3 ounces. The calories in 3 ounces is 155 and the potassium is 534 mg. The amount of calories per 100 grams is 182 and the potassium for 100 grams is 628. That is a a lot of potassium.

Fish, in general, is just a healthy option for anyone. White, oily fish, like salmon, give you heart-healthy Omega-3 fats. White fish, like halibut, are also a great source of lean protein. Whichever type of fish you are a fan of is a positive choice to have as a dinner option. During the summer I eat way more fish than I do during the colder months. A healthy, balanced diet should include at least 2 portions of fish a week, including 1 oily fish.

close up of creamy garlic salmon in a Greek yogurt white wine sauce in a cast iron lodge skillet — Check out that creaminess!

Ingredients to make this meal

the ingredients you will need for creamy garlic salmon with white wine sauce and capers

You will need the following ingredients!

4 salmon fillets - I usually buy them in bulk and individually frozen. My husband isn't always in the mood for salmon, so this way I can take out exactly the amount I need when I need it. A frozen salmon thaws out in about an hour. Just place the frozen pack into a bowl of lukewarm water.
garlic salt - I always recommend using organic seasonings
2 tbsp unsalted butter - I prefer unsalted over over salted because it obviously has less sodium and it gives you complete control over the flavor of you food
1 small shallot - diced
3 garlic cloves - minced. I am always looking to cut corners when cooking because I have 3 toddlers. I like using Spice World Organic Garlic which comes already minced.
one 13.5 oz can of coconut milk - any brand will work, but I just happen to have Goya Coconut Milk in my house.
juice from 1 lemon - you can always squeeze a lemon with your hands, but I recently invested in this Handheld Squeezer and it has made such a difference. Highly recommend 😉

How to make this easy salmon recipe

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place salmon on a foil lined baking sheet; season with garlic salt and pepper. Roast salmon until opaque throughout, about 10 - 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and shallot and cook stirring for one minute.

garlic and shallots sauteeing in butter in a cast iron skillet — Step 1

greek yogurt and coconut milk being added to the cast iron skillet — Step 1

Then, add coconut milk and greek yogurt and stir to combine. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 8 to 10 minutes.

chives, spinach, lemon and cheese being added into the cast iron skillet — Step 3

stirring the spinach into the cream sauce with a wooden spoon — Step 3

Stir in chives, cheese, spinach, and lemon and season with salt and pepper. Cook until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Add salmon to the saucepan and let salmon soak up the sauce about 2 minutes. Serve salmon over sautéed veggies or whole wheat starch of choice and top with fresh parsley!

Equipment to use

This recipe requires a non-stick skillet to make this creamy sauce in, but I highly recommend using a cast-iron skillet. There are so many benefits to cooking with a cast-iron skillet. I actually use mine for so many of my dishes. Like fine wine, a cast-iron skillet gets better with age. Making sauce in a cast-iron skillet will also give you the benefit of getting those delicious brown bits mixed in that always have a TON of flavor. I use a Lodge-Cast Iron Skillet!

What to serve with salmon

As I've stated above, salmon is a very healthy fish to eat. In order to keep your whole meal healthy I recommend serving your salmon with your favorite steamed or roasted veggie. I absolutely love roasted broccoli and red peppers. They are both loaded with vitamins and nutrients.

Red peppers have a ton of vitamin C, which is what you need around this time of year to help keep your immune system ready for battle ;). If you are in the mood for some added carbs, I'd go with anything that is whole wheat. Some brown rice would be perfect or one of my favorites, cauliflower mash!

Tips and FAQ's

Do you take the skin off salmon when baking?

If your salmon comes with skin on leave it on! It provides a layer between your salmon and the pan. Always start with skin side down.

Do you need to wash salmon before cooking?

No, you do not need to rinse fish before cooking. Bacteria can splash to other surfaces. Cooking foods thoroughly will kill off the bacteria.

What if my Greek yogurt sauce isn't thick enough?

Whisk in 2 tsp. of cornstarch if you feel your sauce needs to be thickened. Or you can use 1 tbsp of flour.

Other fish dishes you might also enjoy

If you give this salmon dish a try don't forget to rate the recipe below! Always love hearing what you all think. You can also Stay in touch with me through social media on @Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my healthy recipes!