Blackened Salmon w/ mushroom cream sauce. Salmon is seasoned to perfection, then pan seared to create the ultimate blackening, and then nestled into a delicious mushroom cream sauce.
Checkout the secret ingredient to achieving the perfect sear for the blackened salmon. In part, salmon has amazing health benefits, but even better, it’s such a versatile protein.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, we could go catch salmon in our own backyard. However, I didn’t like fish growing up. I know- I know, I’m insane right? Let’s fast forward several years, I can’t seem to get enough of it now!
The sad part of this is that we now live in south Florida, where seafood- especially salmon, is not in abundance. Therefore, it is pretty expensive! It’s okay though, a lot of stores offer the pre-packaged salmon at a decent cost.
So, with this salmon, I knew I wanted something savory, not just regular blackened salmon. That’s where the mushroom cream sauce came in at. Freshly sliced mushrooms, spinach, red wine (this is optional but HIGHLY recommended), heavy cream, and chicken stock created the most amazing creamy sauce to accompany the blackened salmon. Boy what a treat it was! Dinner was done in 20 minutes, and it was such a substantial meal.
How to make the blackened salmon w/ mushroom cream sauce:
- Season the salmon liberally with all of the spices. With this blend, I adapted Jessica Gavin's blackened salmon recipe and made it my own; and used what I had on hand! No need to season the skin side, as that will be peeled off when done cooking.
- Add olive oil to a cast iron skillet and heat over medium high.
- Once the olive oil is heated, add the salmon skin side down. Sear for 5 minutes, then flip it over. Sear for an additional 5 minutes. Remove the salmon from the skillet and set aside. Salmon should have a nice brown crust, but may not be cooked all the way through (cooking process will finish when it's added back to the hot mushroom cream sauce).
- Place butter into the pan, and then add the sliced mushrooms. Saute for 7-10 minutes, or until the mushrooms start to soften up.
- Pour red wine into the pan and stir to get up all of the brown bits. Slowly add the heavy cream, chicken stock, and sprigs of thyme. Stir to combine.
- Peel the skin off of the salmon, and nestle them back into the mushroom cream sauce and continue to simmer for 7-10 minutes.
What to serve with the blackened salmon w/ mushroom cream sauce:
Rice pilaf is an awesome side to serve with this dish. It is super simple to make, and really helps round out the meal. Moreover, another great side dish would be a great salad. Any type of salad that can be put together quickly, or made ahead of time would be a perfect solution. For another side dish idea, you could go with a quick potato mash. Boil up some potatoes, mash them and season well. The mushroom cream sauce would be delicious with mashed potatoes.
Nonetheless, even if your not the biggest fan of seafood, or fish, you may very well enjoy this dish!
Check out this garlic butter seafood boil for other seafood ideas.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
BLACKENED SALMON:
- 1 filet of Salmon cut into 4-6 oz. portions
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Seasoning salt
- ½ tablespoon Black pepper
- ½ tablespoon Paprika
- ½ tablespoon Garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon Onion powder
Mushroom Cream Sauce
- 3 cups Spinach
- 1 cup Mushrooms sliced
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Chicken stock
- ½ cup Red wine
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme
Instructions
- Season the salmon liberally with all of the spices (only season meat side, not skin side). Add olive oil to a cast iron skillet and heat over medium high.
- Once the olive oil is heated, add the salmon skin side down. Sear for 5 minutes, then flip it over. Sear for an additional 5 minutes. Remove salmon and set aside. Salmon should have a nice brown crust, but may not be cooked all the way through.
- Add butter to the pan. Next add the sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 5 minutes, or until mushrooms start to get soft.
- Pour red wine into the pan and stir to get up all of the brown bits. Add the heavy cream and chicken stock.
- Remove thyme "leaves" from the sprigs of thyme and stir them into the sauce until combined.
- Stir the spinach into the sauce. Nestle the salmon back into the cream sauce and continue to simmer for 7-10 minutes.
Chris Okay says
We followed the recipe, searing the wild-caught sockeye fillet in a carbon steel skillet, perfectly seared and blackened 5 minutes a side, we picked a pound+ of chanterelles, cinnabaris, and indigo milk cap wild mushrooms, joined it all together with baby spinach, and it was all a perfect pairing of sauce to blackened fish to meaty mushrooms in a silky broth. Thank you, we had a great dinner tonight with your recipe!
bepmina says
This is a lovely recipe, and one I would definitely try. This particular combination sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Tamara J. says
You are welcome, enjoy!
SANDRA M BROWN says
This was delicious! I knew it would be from the ingredients and the techniques. I had to stop myself from lickin' the plate. 😀 Definitely will be serving this to friends and family. Thank you!
Tamara J. says
Hey Sandra! Thank you for this review! It is one of my absolute faves too! Have a great weekend. 🙂
Justin says
I made this and the wife and kids loveit. Think I may try with a firmer fish or even chicken. Sauce is amazing.
Tamara J. says
I'm glad you guys enjoyed it Justin. Chicken would be amazing in that mushroom cream sauce!
Carmen says
Hi. Can you sub white wine for the red wine?
Tamara J. says
I have not tried the recipe with white whine, but I'm sure it will be good!
Rory says
Hi there, this looks great, will try it tonight. At what point do you add the spinach?
Tamara J. says
Thank you! I add the spinach towards the end of cooking, maybe the last 5 minutes. As you know, the heat will wilt it rather quickly. Enjoy!
Zachary Melby Jr. says
Dish looks amazing!! It definitely will be a big hit for one of my dinners.
MILA says
SO DELISH! I love the savory flavors.
Tisha says
Blackened to perfection! Such a great twist on a classic recipe!
Tamara J. says
Thank you, it is delicious!
Adri Ruff says
Those seasonings plus the use of cast iron sounds like perfection on a plate!
Tamara J. says
The cast iron skillet is my favorite!
Jazz says
This sounds like a match made in dinnertime heaven! Can't wait to try the mushroom sauce.
Tamara J. says
The mushroom cream sauce was truly something special! Can't wait for you to try it.
Kenya Rae says
This is what’s for dinner tonight! So yummy. Can not wait!
Tamara J. says
Awesome! Enjoy it Kenya.
Katrina Adams says
This looks delicious!!! I definitely will be making!
Tamara J. says
You definitely should! It is a delicious dish.
Quin L. says
That blackened salmon with that cream sauce makes me swoon, such a great weeknight dinner!
Tamara J. says
It is a perfect weeknight meal!
Aline says
This was yummy and easy to make. Thanks for the recipe!
Tynia says
Oh wow I bet that mushroom cream sauce would be incredible on mashed potatoes, yum.
Tamara J. says
You are right! We served this dish with a side of mashed potatoes. It was fabolous!
Marta says
I loved blackened salmon before, but with this sauce I know I'm going to be smitten.