This Keto Salmon Recipe is perfectly seasoned pan seared filets smothered in an unbelievably delicious creamy lemon garlic sauce. Feel Top Chef worthy while preparing this less than 30 minute, low carb gourmet dinner recipe in the comfort of your own kitchen.
I'm all about keeping things simple! So when I came up with this delicious Keto Salmon Recipe, I just had to share it! Perfectly seared salmon filets smothered with a creamy lemon garlic sauce...use frozen salmon filets for an even more economical approach.
Is salmon good on a keto diet?
For starters, salmon is full of healthy fats.
A 3 ounce portion is 177 calories, 11g fat, and zero carbs. So that would be very keto friendly.
Combine the salmon with our delicious cream sauce that is purely cream, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley. That is definitely a great keto salmon recipe.
Ingredients needed
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this keto salmon recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For the printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
- 16 ounces of salmon filets (1.25 kg), cut into 4 portions - I like to look for frozen salmon filets that are at least 1 inch thick. You can choose skin on or skinless salmon for this recipe and I will give instructions for both.
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (30 mL) - We need a good coating of avocado oil in our skillet so the salmon skin doesn't stick to the pan.
- 1 ¼ cup heavy cream (300 mL) - This is essential for making our creamy sauce. For a dairy free option, you could use coconut cream with great results.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30 mL)
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
How to make this keto salmon recipe
This section explains how to make this creamy salmon recipe step by step. For a full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.
Step 1 (Cooking salmon with the skin on) - Season the flesh side of the salmon filets with salt and pepper.
Step 2 - Heat the avocado oil in a skillet until it is shimmering, then add the salmon to the pan, skin side up. When the salmon develops a crust and releases from the pan, it is ready to flip. Continue cooking the salmon, skin side down, until the salmon skin is nice and crispy. Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside to rest while we make the sauce.
If you buy skinless salmon, you could still cook it as above, but you can also season with salt and pepper and then bake it in the oven at 400F for about 12 minutes.
💡Tip: Resist the urge to flip the salmon too early. If it is sticking to the pan, it is not ready to flip.
Step 3 - Make the creamy lemon garlic sauce. With the pan over medium heat, whisk together the heavy cream, lemon juice, and garlic. Let simmer until thickened and then season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with chopped parsley.
Step 4 - Serve the creamy sauce over the salmon to complete this keto salmon recipe. If you want to keep your crispy skin, serve the salmon with the sauce on the side so your salmon skin doesn't go soft in the sauce.
Can I use frozen salmon?
I love to use frozen salmon anytime I want to make a keto salmon recipe. Frozen salmon is economical and it is frozen as soon as it is caught, so most times, it is better than fresh! In fact, all salmon is immediately frozen after it is caught for food safety reasons.
Defrosting salmon is super easy and can be done in less than an hour.
If your frozen salmon come wrapped in plastic, simply fill a bowl or the sink with cold water and submerge the salmon. Check it after 30 minutes and see how it is progressing. Once they are thawed, remove them from the plastic and pat dry with towels.
Skin on or off for this keto salmon recipe?
I can never find skinless salmon in the grocery store...probably because it is a pain to remove the skin while the salmon is raw.
I like to cook the salmon with the skin on and then the skin just peels right off like magic! This is what I do in my recipe for Lemon pepper salmon, Salmon in foil and Salmon and avocado salsa.
How do I know when my salmon is done?
💡Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the salmon. The FDA recommends an internal temperature of 145F.
You know when your salmon is done by seeing if it flakes easily with a fork.
If the salmon is starting to ooze white liquid on top (this is the proteins boiling out), it is overcooking and you remove it from the pan.
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Keto Creamy Lemon Garlic Salmon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Salmon filets (skin on or skinless), cut into 4 portions
- kosher salt and pepper
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil (Click here for my favorite brand on Amazon)
- 1 ¼ Cup Heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
- 3 Cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
- Add in the salmon filets skin side up. Cook until the salmon is browned and the fish easily releases from the pan. Try not to flip early or the salmon will stick.
- Flip to the other side (skin side if your salmon has skin) and cook until the salmon skin is crispy and releases from the pan.
- Remove the salmon from the pan and set aside.
- Turn the heat of the skillet down to medium and whisk together the heavy cream, garlic, parsley and lemon juice. Let simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the salmon with cream sauce and chopped parsley. If you want your salmon skin to stay crispy, serve the sauce on the side.
Jennifer's tips
- Defrost frozen salmon: If your frozen salmon come wrapped in plastic, simply fill a bowl or the sink with cold water and submerge the salmon. Check it after 30 minutes and see how it is progressing. Once they are thawed, remove them from the plastic and pat dry with towels.
- When is the salmon done?: check with a meat thermometer probe. 130F is my desired internal temperature for salmon that isn't dried out and over cooked. White juices oozing out of the salmon means it is overcooked.
- Skin on or skinless: I buy skin on salmon because it is easier to find. When the salmon is cooked, the salmon skin peels off very easily. You can also eat the crispy skin!
- Salmon Baking Instructions: If you buy skinless salmon, you could still cook it as above, but you can also season with salt and pepper and then cook it in the oven at 400F for about 12 minutes. This would remove the need for the avocado oil.
Nutrition per serving
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only. Please re-calculate on your own with the ingredients and amounts you used for the most accurate data.
Susan Malotte says
I made this recipe exactly except I cut it in half because I only cook for one…just me! It was delicious! I have enough for a second meal with sauce if there’s any sauce left! The sauce is yummy! Wonderful recipe! Thank you for this recipe!
Candace says
Really delicious! Will definitely keep this recipe on rotation on our Keto WOE. Have you ever made it with Full fat coconut milk instead of HWC?
Ray says
I'm making this tonight, but based on the macros, I'll be using Half n Half instead of Heavy Whipping Cream. Not sure how the macros were calculated here, but 1.25 cups of HWC is approx 1020 calories and about 8 carbs.
jenniferbanz says
Yes, 1020 divided by 4 is 255. A 4 ounce salmon filet is 230 calories. That brings us to 485. The oil would bring it up to 521 which is what I have listed. Half and half could work but your sauce might break. Half and half has more carbs.
Julie says
To let you know, that white stuff coming out is not the proteins coming out of it, it is the preservative that is in most fish. Do your research and find a salmon that doesn't have it because it isn't good for you.
jenniferbanz says
I have done research. It is albumin, a protein made by the liver.
Katie says
I cannot believe how pompous and rude some people are in their comments, especially when they're completely wrong. You are correct it is the albumin being released and has nothing to do with preservatives.
Brittany says
Just here to roll my eyes at the snark above. You’re wonderful we all love you. 🤍🤍🤍
Nancy says
OMG - this recipe was so easy and so delicious!
Jenny says
I just made this recipe - Amazing! Great instructions, great recipe. Thank you!
Emiliya says
OMG, so delicious! It was also easy and fast to make.
Robin says
This was delicious, easy and quick to make. Yum...
Home Chef says
Very good!
Karen says
Hands down one of the most fantastic recipes I have ever made and my husband agrees. Standing ovation from WA state. Thanks for sharing! And I LOVE that it is keto!
Leah says
SO GOOD!!!!! I slightly tweaked it for my own liking but absolutely delicious loved the idea
Carol says
Omg! This is delicious!!!! I didn’t have any parsley but I can’t imagine it being any better than it was.
Barb says
Made this tonight and the cream sauce makes this complete! Served with broccoli and put sauce on the broccoli, as well!!!
Angela says
First of all, your recipes look absolutely delicious! I’m new to this whole keto thing and it’s been overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin but I am so glad I found your page. Where I live the only place I can find salmon is Walmart. I was wondering if you have ever bought fish from Walmart and if it’s safe to eat?
Kari says
i buy salmon all the time from Walmart - their meat and produce have always been awesome in our opinion 🙂
karen says
I agree I love walmart`s meat and seafood
Linda says
I made this yesterday. It was very good. The one thing I would do differently next time is to drain the oil before adding in the heavy cream because it separated.
J says
This was great! I seared the salmon and then broiled it because I tend to burn things on the stove 😛 The sauce literally took seconds to make, and my non-keto kids gobbled it up, too. What a winner!
Marina says
It was delicious, my husband loved it. I used Salmon and Cod.
Kari says
Delicious! I added a little red pepper flakes and topped with a little Parmesan. Served with broccoli topped with the remaining sauce. Going to do asparagus next time. Thanks for fantastic recipe!
Dawn Marie says
Excellent! Made for dinner tonight and even though I’m not a huge salmon lover.....the flavors from the cream sauce made my mouth sing! My husband and mom enjoyed it also. Will definitely make it again.
Can you use the sauce recipe with other protein?
Marie Anne says
I usually don’t care for salmon. But this recipe is awesome. Loved it. I will be making it again
VaFarmer says
Awsome recipe, didn’t even notice it was keto while I was eating it!! Made this several times already.
Heather says
Made it. Loved it and will make it again! The sauce was to die for and was such a great compliment to the salmon. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Sunny says
Great tasting salmon. I will be sure to make again!!! Thank you for the recipe.
Lynn says
Enjoyed this recipe! Will make again!!
Joman says
Amazing, I added cream cheese and peruvian yellow pepper paste for a spicy kick. Came out so good. I paired it with an avocado, onions and lettuce salad.
Thanks for the recipe!
Laura says
This is one of the best dishes I've ever made...maybe even one of the best things I've ever tasted. I sautéed green peppers and red onion and then poured the cream sauce over everything and sprinkled the dish with some chopped almonds. Thank you for sharing. Standing ovation over here.
Luz says
Looks delicious! Are the nutrition facts for the 4 servings?
jenniferbanz says
Nutrition is for 1 serving
Sabe says
This was absolutely delicious. Thank you. Loved the tip about the white juices, I learnt something there.
Bron says
Loved this recipe ! Simple and easy ,and so tasty ! Definitely one I’ll cook again , thanks Jennifer ?
Amber says
Yum. I am always looking for quick salmon recipes. We have been trying to eat fish once a week and need to switch things up a little. Love that this recipe only calls for a few basic ingredients also!
Michelle says
Aww, man! Currently doing keto and didn’t want to make the same old boring seared salmon. Found this recipe and it was super easy and fast! I did add a little cream cheese because I needed to get my macros in. The family loved it, too!
georgie says
Oh my gosh this looks absolutely amazing. Definitely adding this to my recipe collection I am always on the lookout for keto recipes to try.
Michelle says
Loved that sauce! It's just the right combination of lemon and garlic and perfectly creamy. Definitely a keeper, thanks for sharing x
jenniferbanz says
So happy to hear that!
Hope Wilson says
Hi!
Where does the 6 g of carbs come from? Lemon juice? What oil can I substitute for avocado oil!
jenniferbanz says
Yes...lemon juice and the cream. You could use any oil you want. I like to use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point. Some other oils with a high smoke point are ghee, coconut oil, or duck fat.
Veena Azmanov says
Delicious, creamy and Salmon is one of my favorite. This is surely a happy meal for me and family. They loved it all.