Pan-Seared Herb Butter Salmon with Garlic Spinach
Salmon fillets pan-seared to a golden crust, finished with a herb butter sauce, served over garlic sautéed spinach. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs 6 oz each salmon fillets, unsalted butter, chopped fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, 6 oz each salmon fillets
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 salmon fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place salmon fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the edges turn crispy and golden.
- Step 3: Flip the salmon and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to the pan. Spoon the melted herb butter over the salmon as it cooks for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove the salmon and keep warm. In the same pan, add 6 cups baby spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until wilted and fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Step 5: Finish the spinach with 1 tbsp lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve the salmon atop the garlic spinach, spooning extra herb butter from the pan over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Herb Butter Salmon with Garlic Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Herb Butter Salmon with Garlic Spinach?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep 6 oz each salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Herb Butter Salmon with Garlic Spinach?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Herb Butter Salmon with Garlic Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Herb Butter Salmon with Garlic Spinach?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
