This Easy Salmon Piccata with Spinach features perfectly pan-seared salmon and tender spinach in lemon butter caper sauce. It’s a quick and easy dish, bursting with light and bright flavors.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Salmon Piccata Recipe

• Tender, flaky salmon
• Fresh baby spinach
• Sautéed in a lemon butter caper sauce
• Quick and easy to make in just 20 minutes
• Perfect, healthy weeknight dinner

My favorite way to cook salmon is to sear it in a sizzling hot skillet and smother in a butter, lemon, white wine and caper sauce and that is what this recipe will give you!  

With this Keto Salmon recipe, I sauté fresh spinach leaves in the juices of the salmon with a little piccata sauce left behind in the pan. That makes this salmon recipe a complete meal, all in one skillet!

The flavor is absolutely amazing.  This low carb salmon recipe can be made in under 20 minutes and dinner is served. It uses all fresh ingredients and it could not be easier to prepare!  If you love these flavors, you should also try this Chicken Piccata recipe.

🛒 Ingredients for Salmon Piccata

• Salmon 
• Baby spinach
• Lemon
• Garlic
• Parsley
• Butter
• Capers
• White wine
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Large skillet

🔪 How to Make Salmon Piccata

Season your salmon with half the salt and pepper.

Heat a large skillet to medium high heat and add in the olive oil. Sear the salmon for a few minutes, skin side up.

Flip the salmon over and cook until it’s cooked through. Then remove and set it aside.

Add in the garlic and sauté for about 20 seconds, then add in the wine.  

Add the butter, lemon juice, zest, and capers.

Spoon out and reserve some of the sauce to use later. Add in the spinach and the remaining salt and pepper.

Toss in the sauce, then cover and steam the spinach for 2 minutes, or until tender.

Add the salmon back in and spoon the reserve sauce over the tops. Garnish with the parsley and serve.

💡 Top Tips for Buying Salmon

• If you have access to buy wild-caught, it’s preferred over farm-raised. Farm-raised salmon is perfectly safe to eat, but has a less rich flavor than wild-caught salmon because it is raised in closed areas and fed pellets made from fish meal and grains.

• Try to find sockeye if possible. All salmon boasts a long list of health benefits, but sockeye edges out as the winner in nutrition. It contains about 25% more omega-3 than pink salmon.

• Regardless of which type you purchase, fresh salmon, in the grocery store, should be moist, and the edges shouldn’t be dried or curled up.

• When purchasing fresh salmon, whole filets, or portions, it’s best to cook it on the same day for optimal freshness.

• Unless the recipe specifically says otherwise, leave the skin on. Salmon cooks quickly, and the skin acts as a fatty barrier to help keep the fish moist.

☑️ Storage Instructions

For leftovers, place them in an airtight container and place in the fridge up to two days. To reheat, cover with foil and cook slowly in a 350F oven just until warmed through. It’s not recommended that you freeze this dish.

🍴 What to Serve with Easy Salmon Piccata

This is an incredible dish that’s great served with just about any side dish or salad to make it a complete low carb meal. These are some of my favorite pairings:

• Sautéed Spinach with Pancetta
• Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti Squash
• Sautéed Mushrooms
• Cheesy Roasted Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto
• Green Beans Almondine

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Herbs: Experiment with different herbs, such as dill, thyme, or tarragon, to add different fresh flavors to the dish.  

• Vegetables: Mix in additional vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, or asparagus for added color, flavor, and texture.

• Creamy sauce: If you prefer a creamier sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk along with the lemon juice and capers. This adds richness to the dish and creates a velvety sauce.

• Citrus options: Instead of lemon, try using other citrus fruits such as lime or orange for a different flavor profile. The zest and juice can brighten up the dish and add a tangy twist.

• Nuts: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, almonds, or walnuts over the salmon and spinach before serving for added crunch and nutty flavor.

• Spicy kick: For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.

• Whole grain mustard: Stir in a spoonful of whole grain mustard to the sauce for a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.

Is Salmon Good for You?

Honestly, salmon is perfect for any diet because not only is it a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, but it’s also an excellent source of protein and potassium.

And for those on keto or low carb diets, salmon is a perfect protein to add additional healthy fats to, like the butter in the sauce.

What Wine Makes the Best Piccata?

A dry white wine works really well. I like to use pinot grigio, but you can also use chardonnay or sauvignon blanc.

Can I Use Grilled Salmon Instead?

Sure, though pan-searing gives the sauce extra flavor. But, if you prefer, you can brush the salmon with olive oil and season with salt and pepper before grilling. You’ll need to make the sauce separately in a skillet

What are the Carbs in Spinach?

There are approximately 6.5 total grams of carbs in one cup of cooked spinach. It contains over 4 grams of fiber, bringing the net carbs to just over 2 grams for a whole cup!

Plus, spinach is an extremely nutritious vegetable! It’s a great source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron, and calcium, making it a Keto superfood!

🍽️ More Keto Salmon Recipes

• Bang Bang Salmon Cakes
• Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Salmon
• Baked Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce
• Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites
• Asian Glazed Salmon
• Cajun Salmon Alfredo

*Originally published on December 5, 2018, updated on April 2, 2024 with new photos, improvements to the recipe, new recipe information and helpful tips.