Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Salmon
With a restaurant-style flavor, this Low-Carb Creamy Tuscan Salmon is ready in just 35 minutes. With tender seared salmon with a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce, swirled with spinach, roasted red peppers, it makes for a totally comforting, one skillet recipe.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 35 minutes
- 👪Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories: 632 kcals
- 📋Main Ingredients: Salmon, butter, tomato paste, roasted red pepper, whipping cream, parmesan, and basil.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Nut-free, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly.
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: This salmon with creamy garlic sauce is rich and comforting, but all made in one skillet.
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One thing I really appreciate about this creamy Tuscan salmon skillet is that it feels filling and comforting without being overly heavy. The salmon is tender while the creamy garlic parmesan sauce thickens around the spinach and roasted peppers, giving the whole dish that rich takeout flavor people usually expect from a much more complicated recipe.
Another reason this low-carb salmon skillet works so well for weeknights is how quickly everything cooks. Salmon only takes a few minutes in the pan, which makes it ideal for busy evenings when you need dinner fast but still want something homemade. The sauce also reheats surprisingly well the next day, so leftovers make an easy lunch paired with lighter meals like this easy avocado cream soup, which is also a low-carb recipe.
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Items and Substitutions
- Salmon fillets: Fresh and frozen salmon both work for the skillet recipe. If you’re using frozen salmon, just make sure to thaw it first. The same applies to this creamy keto baked salmon.
- Roasted red peppers: Using the roasted ones gives more flavor, but in a pinch, fresh red peppers or sundried tomatoes will work.
- Heavy whipping cream: Any heavy cream can substitute here. If you need a dairy-free version, use a full-fat canned coconut milk (and cut the parmesean obviously)
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Tools you’ll need
Before starting the recipe, you’ll want to have all your kitchen essentials ready. I recommend having the following items:
Flavors To Try
Below are a few of the ways we’ve tweaked the keto creamy salmon skillet and enjoyed:
- Swap the protein: Use leftover BBQ chicken breasts in the air fryer, shrimp, or even tofu instead of salmon for a different twist.
- Add heat: Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Add mushrooms – Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions for extra umami and heartiness.
- Serve it differently: Spoon the salmon and sauce over cauliflower rice, zoodles, or mashed cauliflower to make it a full meal.
How To Make Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Salmon
Step 1: Season the salmon and sear it on both sides until cooked through. Set aside and keep warm.
Step 2: Melt the butter and stir in the onions, and saute until softened. Then, mix in the tomato paste, basil, garlic, and roasted red peppers.
Step 3: Whisk in the heavy whipping cream, and saute until the sauce begins to thicken. Then toss in the spinach and stir in the parm.
Step 4: Return the salmon to the skillet, and spoon the sauce over the fillets before serving.
Note
Sear the salmon without moving it too much. Letting it cook undisturbed for a few minutes on each side helps develop a golden crust and keeps the fillets from breaking apart.
Helpful Hints
Pro tip: Pat the salmon dry!
Pat the salmon dry before seasoning and searing to help it get a nice golden crust and prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Here are more helpful hints for making this recipe:
- Use a non-stick or well-seasoned skillet to avoid the salmon sticking and breaking apart.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing. Cook the salmon in batches if needed for an even sear.
- Chop ingredients ahead of time to keep things moving smoothly once you start cooking.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving to make sure the flavors are balanced.
- Store leftovers once cooled in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid using high heat or the microwave for too long, as it can dry out the salmon. Low and slow is best to keep the fish tender and the sauce creamy.
How To Enjoy It
This creamy spinach salmon skillet pairs perfectly with everything from lighter vegetable sides to cozy comfort-food dinners. Below are a few faves:
- Serve it over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, mashed cauliflower, pasta, or rice to soak up the creamy garlic parmesan sauce. We do this with my creamy tomato basil chicken skillet, too.
- Pair it with fresh vegetable sides or easy salads like this green keto salad with chicken (you can omit the chicken if you don’t need the protein) for a balanced low-carb dinner.
Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Salmon FAQs
More Easy Low-Carb Dinner Recipes
If you tried this Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Salmon or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Keto Creamy Tuscan Salmon Skillet
Ingredients
- 4 skin off salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ⅓ cup Roasted red peppers chopped
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cup fresh spinach
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon basil
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat, and season the salmon with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sear the salmon on both sides until cooked through. Set aside and keep warm.
- Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the onions, and saute until softened.
- Mix in the tomato paste, basil, garlic and roasted red peppers, and stir to combine. Saute for 1 minute.
- Whisk in the heavy whipping cream, and saute until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Toss in the spinach, and simmer until wilted.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese.
- Return the salmon to the skillet, and spoon the sauce over the fillets before serving.
The creamy sauce on this salmon is rich but super light!