Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon & Shrimp

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Article: Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon & Shrimp (One-Pan Surf & Turf)

If you are looking for a show-stopping dinner that tastes like it came from a high-end seafood restaurant, this Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon and Shrimp is it.

This dish combines the best of the ocean: crispy-skinned, flaky salmon and juicy, tender shrimp. But the real star of the show is the sauce. It’s a luscious, garlicky, buttery cream sauce that is perfectly balanced with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a kick of parmesan cheese. The sauce clings beautifully to the seafood and is absolutely incredible when soaked up with a piece of crusty bread or poured over pasta.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

· ✅ One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, meaning minimal cleanup.
· ✅ Ready in 30 Minutes: Fast enough for a weeknight, elegant enough for a date night.
· ✅ Rich & Creamy: The garlic butter sauce is velvety and packed with flavor.
· ✅ Restaurant Quality: Looks and tastes like a $40 entrée.

Full Recipe: Creamy Garlic Butter Salmon & Shrimp

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 2 large servings

📝 Ingredients

For the Seafood:

· Salmon Fillets: 2 (about 6 oz / 170g each), skin-on.
· Large Shrimp: ½ lb (225g), peeled and deveined.
· Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon.
· Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
· Smoked Paprika: ½ teaspoon (for the shrimp).

For the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:

· Butter: 3 tablespoons, unsalted.
· Garlic: 4 cloves, finely minced.
· Heavy Cream: 1 cup (240ml).
· Chicken Broth: ¼ cup (60ml).
· Parmesan Cheese: ¼ cup, freshly grated.
· Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed).
· Fresh Herbs: 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil, for garnish.
· Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon (optional, for heat).

🥣 Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Seafood

  1. Pat the salmon fillets completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for getting a crispy skin. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.

Step 2: Sear the Salmon

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil.
  2. Place the salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down. Cook for 4-5 minutes without moving them, until the skin is crispy and golden.
  3. Flip the salmon and cook for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside on a plate.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

  1. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of the butter.
  2. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside with the salmon. Do not overcook them!

Step 4: Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce

  1. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant (do not let it burn).
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes until it begins to thicken.
  5. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

  1. Return the salmon and shrimp to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce.
  2. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of the seafood.
  3. Simmer for 1-2 minutes just to warm everything through.
  4. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (if using).
  5. Serve immediately with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for dipping!

💡 Chef’s Pro Tips:

· Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If your skillet is small, cook the salmon and shrimp in separate batches. If you crowd the pan, the seafood will steam instead of sear, and you won’t get that beautiful golden crust.
· Watch the Garlic: Garlic burns very quickly and turns bitter. Add it to the pan and stir constantly for just 1 minute before adding the liquid.
· Crispy Salmon Skin: To ensure the skin doesn’t stick, make sure the oil is shimmering hot before adding the salmon, and don’t try to flip it until it releases easily from the pan (about 4-5 minutes).
· Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
· Dairy-Free Option: You can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a dairy-free version.

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