Marry Me Salmon

My husband never proposed to me. Technically, our dog did via a small heart-shaped tag on his collar engraved with the words “Will you marry me?” It was very sweet, but a bit unfair—I mean, how could a girl turn down a proposal from an adorable puppy?! That’s okay. If we’re being honest, had I been the one to propose, I also certainly would have used the strengths at my disposal to tip the odds in my favor. With my savvy cooking prowess and this Marry Me salmon in my back pocket, I would have had the deal signed, sealed and delivered before dessert even hit the table.

If you’ve tried the viral Marry Me chicken or other iterations such as Marry Me pasta or Marry Me pot roast, then this salmon version needs to be next on your list. Featuring juicy pan-seared salmon bathed in a luxurious sauce made with cream, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and basil, this dish will make every taste bud at your table swoon with pleasure.

My favorite way to serve this Marry Me salmon recipe is with tender, cooked orzo. Stir it into the sauce just before serving, and it’s the perfect vessel for soaking up every last drop of the rich and creamy sauce. A hunk of freshly baked, crusty bread is never a bad idea either.

Marry Me Salmon Ingredients

• Salmon: For even cooking, select center-cut fillets with even thickness. If frozen, make sure the salmon is fully thawed before cooking.
• Olive oil: A light drizzle helps prevent the salmon from sticking and promotes a crisp, golden sear.
• Seasoning: A blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning coats the salmon and infuses the sauce with plenty of flavor. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick.
• Aromatics: A marriage of shallots and garlic makes the Marry Me salmon sauce smell and taste heavenly. If you don’t have access to shallots, you can use a small yellow onion instead.
• Roux: A blend of butter and flour forms a simple roux that thickens the sauce and makes it velvety smooth.
• Vegetable broth: Vegetable broth thins the sauce to the perfect consistency while providing a mild taste that doesn’t overpower the salmon.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: You can use sun-dried tomatoes jarred in oil or vacuum-packed in a bag. If you use tomatoes packed in oil, feel free to let some of the flavorful oil seep into the sauce. It will add tons of flavor and give the sauce a beautiful, light pink hue.
• Dairy: A trio of heavy cream, milk and cream cheese makes this Marry Me salmon recipe irresistibly rich and creamy.
• Parmesan: Nothing says “I love you” quite like a handful of cheese. You can use Parmesan or authentic Parmesan Reggiano for a special treat.
• Frozen spinach: A bit of thawed frozen spinach lends a colorful contrast and a boost of nutrition. If you don’t enjoy spinach, you can just omit it from the salmon recipe.
• Fresh basil: For a blast of fresh herb flavor, toss in a handful of chopped basil right before serving.
• Cooked orzo: Orzo may look like rice, but it’s actually a type of tiny pasta. Cook 1 cup of orzo according to the package directions, and then stir it into the creamy sauce just before serving.

Directions

Step 1: Season the salmon

Combine 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder in a small bowl. Coat the salmon fillets with the herb-and-spice mixture on all sides.

Step 2: Sear the salmon

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once oil is shimmering, add the salmon, skin side down, and cook until the skin is crispy, four to five minutes. Carefully flip the salmon and cook for two to three minutes more until the fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Remove to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Sauté the shallots and garlic

Reduce the heat to medium, and add the butter and shallot. Cook for three to five minutes until shallot is softened, then add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for an additional 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Make a roux and add the broth

Sprinkle the flour into the pan, stirring to coat the aromatics and soak up the butter. Cook for two to three minutes or until lightly browned. Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking continuously to break up any lumps. Bring it to a simmer and add the sun-dried tomatoes along with the remaining salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Cook until thickened, four to five minutes.

Step 5: Add the remaining ingredients

Next, stir the heavy cream, milk, cream cheese, Parmesan, spinach and fresh basil into the sauce. Cook for two to three minutes, until the cream cheese has melted smoothly into the mixture and the sauce has thickened slightly.

Stir the cooked orzo (if using) into the sauce and toss to combine.

Step 6: Warm the salmon and serve

Return the fish to the skillet and cook until the salmon warms through. Serve on plates garnished with additional fresh basil.

Marry Me Salmon Variations

• Try making it with another fish: This one-skillet recipe could be enjoyed with another type of fish you enjoy. A flaky white fish like cod, tilapia, halibut, grouper or sea bass would be a wonderful option.
• Lighten it up: Part of the allure of Marry Me recipes is the decadence of the sauce. That said, you can lighten things up slightly without sacrificing richness by substituting half-and-half cream for the heavy cream and choosing low-fat milk and reduced-fat cream cheese. Just keep in mind the sauce will be a bit thinner.
• Use fresh spinach: Feel free to use an equal amount of fresh spinach instead of frozen spinach in this Marry Me salmon recipe. Chopped fresh kale or Swiss chard would also work nicely.
• Add more veggies: For added bulk and nutrition, consider adding sliced cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash or sweet red peppers to the recipe. Simply saute the veggies with the shallots and garlic until softened.

How to Store Marry Me Salmon

Marry Me salmon should be stored in an airtight food storage container and kept refrigerated.

How long does Marry Me salmon last?

This Marry Me salmon recipe is best enjoyed within three or four days.

What’s the best way to reheat Marry Me salmon?

Marry Me salmon can be warmed in the microwave or on the stovetop. To reheat it on the stovetop, place the salmon and sauce with a splash of milk or broth in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Warm the sauce, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

To microwave, add a splash of milk or broth to the sauce, stir and then microwave with the salmon in a covered microwave-safe container until heated through. Using a reduced power setting will help ensure the sauce and salmon warm gently so the fish does not dry out and the sauce does not split.

Marry Me Salmon Tips

What’s the best type of salmon to use for Marry Me salmon?

You can choose just about any type of salmon for Marry Me salmon. That said, we find Atlantic and King (Chinook) salmon are best. The fillets tend to be thicker and have a higher fat content, which means they hold up well to the high, direct heat of searing without drying out.

What else can you serve with Marry Me salmon?

If you don’t have orzo, any pasta shape you enjoy would also be lovely. You could also try serving the salmon with a batch of fluffy garlic and herb mashed potatoes, an ancient grain like farro or a bed of tender arborio rice. Don’t forget to choose the right wine pairing for salmon—in this case, a lightly oaked chardonnay will do the trick.

No matter the pairing, you won’t leave the table with any leftovers—but you might leave with the sound of wedding bells in the air.