Introduction:
This luxurious seafood dish brings together the rich, tender flavors of salmon and succulent shrimp in a velvety garlic butter sauce, elevated with a splash of white wine and cream. Perfectly balanced with herbs and a hint of lemon, this recipe is restaurant-quality but easy enough for a home cook. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, or pair it with crusty bread to soak up every drop of sauce.
🧾 Ingredients:
For the seafood:
- 2 salmon fillets (skin off, about 6 oz each)
- 8–10 large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the sauce:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, adds depth)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
🔪 Instructions & Method:
1. Season and Sear the Seafood:
- Pat the salmon and shrimp dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter.
- Add the salmon fillets and sear for about 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add shrimp to the same pan. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside with the salmon.
2. Make the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp butter.
- Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant (don’t brown the garlic).
- Pour in the white wine. Let it simmer and reduce by half, about 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, Dijon mustard (if using), lemon juice, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
3. Bring it All Together:
- Return the salmon and shrimp to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- Spoon the sauce over the seafood and let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes, just until heated through.
- Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
- Serve over linguine, mashed potatoes, or steamed rice.
- Pair with a chilled glass of the white wine you used in the recipe.
- A side of garlic bread or crusty baguette is perfect for sopping up the sauce.
- Add steamed asparagus, green beans, or a crisp green salad to complete the meal.
🔁 Variations:
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for extra flavor and color.
- Substitute salmon with cod or scallops, or use all shrimp for a simpler version.