Date Night Blackened Salmon & Shrimp with Creamy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes & Buttered Spinach

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This Blackened Salmon & Shrimp with Garlic Herb Mash & Buttered Spinach is a restaurant-quality meal made right at home!

As an Afro-Caribbean food blogger and home cook, I love combining bold flavors with comforting textures—and this dish does just that. The salmon is seasoned with blackened spices, seared to perfection, then topped with garlic butter shrimp. When served over garlicky mashed potatoes and tender spinach, it’s the kind of dish you’ll make again and again.

There’s something extra special about cozy dinners at home, especially when the meal feels like it came straight from a restaurant. This Blackened Salmon and Shrimp with Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes and Buttered Spinach is one of my go-to dishes for an easy yet elevated meal. It’s packed with bold flavor, comes together in under an hour, and looks absolutely stunning on the plate.

Honestly, this meal is a Date Night favorite in our home. My husband and I both love how the spicy blackened seafood contrasts with the creamy garlic mash and buttery greens—it’s indulgent, comforting, and still feels light. We’ve made this on quiet Friday nights in, and even served it to guests for a fancy dinner without the stress.

Enjoyed this recipe? Discover more Date Night favorites on the blog: Shrimp Rotini Pasta , Salmon & Scallop Rasta Pasta , and Garlic Butter Shrimp Rigatoni Pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. Surf & Turf Vibes: A combination of juicy shrimp and perfectly seared salmon for an indulgent meal.

  2. Restaurant-Quality Flavor: Perfectly blackened salmon and juicy shrimp

  3. Romantic & Elegant: Perfect for Wine Pairing – Pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir

Prefer to watch instead of reading this delicious recipe? check out this video for a quick and easy guide: 

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My name is Tiffany, face and photographer behind FoodieNotaChef.

I created this food Blog to showcase Afro-Caribbean infused recipes and so much more! 

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Date Night Blackened Salmon & Shrimp with Creamy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes & Buttered Spinachrating

Date Night Blackened Salmon & Shrimp with Creamy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes & Buttered Spinach

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Prep time: 40 minutes

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Cook time: 40 minutes

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Total time: 100 minutes

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Description

Perfectly blackened salmon and succulent shrimp are paired with creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes and tender, garlicky spinach—finished with a rich garlic butter sauce. It’s an elegant, mouthwatering dish that’s sure to impress

Ingredients

Garlic Herb Butter (Compound Butter):

  • 1 bulb garlic, peeled
  • 3–4 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Garlic Herb Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp homemade garlic herb butter
  • ¼ cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp fresh lemon juice

Salmon + Shrimp:

  • 4 salmon fillets (skin-on or skinless)
  • 6 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Blackened seasoning
  • Creole seasoning
  • 1 tbsp melted butter (for salmon)
  • 1 tbsp garlic herb butter (for shrimp)

Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes:

  • 4 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 4 tbsp of Herb + Garlic + Butter mixture
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Salt, to taste

Spinach:

  • 4 cups fresh spinach (about 2 large handfuls)
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste

Instructions

How to Make Garlic Herb Compound Butter

  1. 1Roast the Garlic – Air fryer Method: Place Garlic into small baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and roast on both sides for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and soft. Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) roast for 15-20 minutes until soft and golden brown.
  2. 2Mash the Garlic – mash the roasted garlic into a paste.
  3. 3Mix the Ingredients – In a bowl, combine the softened butter, mashed garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix until well combined.
  4. 4Shape & Store Leftovers – Transfer the butter mixture onto a piece of parchment paper. Roll into a log and refrigerate until firm.

How to make the Creamiest Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes

  1. 1Prepare the Potatoes – Peel and chop potatoes into evenly sized pieces for even cooking.
  2. 2Boil in Salted Water – Place the potatoes in a large pot of cold, salted water and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
  3. 3Cook Until Fork-Tender – Let the potatoes cook for 15-20 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces through them.
  4. 4Drain & Prep for Mashing – Carefully drain the potatoes and transfer them to a medium-sized bowl for mashing.
  5. 5Mash the Potatoes for a Smooth Texture-Using a potato masher or ricer, mash the boiled potatoes until smooth and lump-free.
  6. 6Add Flavor & Creaminess- Mix in 4 tbsp of Herb + Garlic + Butter mixture for deep, savory flavor. Pour in heavy cream and season with salt to taste, adjusting as needed for richness.
  7. 7Mix Until Creamy & Fluffy- Stir until everything is well incorporated, silky, and smooth for the perfect mashed potato texture.
  8. 8Serve & Enjoy- Drizzle extra butter mixture on top for a glossy, decadent finish. Serve warm.

How to Make Blackened Salmon in the Air Fryer

  1. 1Preheat Air Fryer – Set your air fryer to 390°F (198°C).
  2. 2Prepare the Salmon – Rinse salmon with lemon juice, then pat dry with a paper towel.
  3. 3Season the Fillets – Generously coat both sides of the salmon with blackened seasoning and Creole seasoning.
  4. 4 Air Fry to Perfection – Place salmon fillets skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Drizzle olive oil and melted butter over the top. Cook for 7-10 minutes, depending on thickness, until the salmon is flaky and reaches an internal temperature of 130-140°F (medium) or 145°F (well done).

How to Cook Garlic Butter Shrimp

  1. 1Prepare the Shrimp – Rinse shrimp with lemon juice and pat dry with a paper towel. Season with blackening and creole seasoning.
  2. 2Sauté in Garlic Herb Butter – Preheat a skillet over medium heat and melt the garlic herb butter.
  3. 3Cook the Shrimp – Add shrimp in a single layer, cooking each side for 2 minutes until they turn pink and slightly curled.

How to make Easy Buttered Spinach

  1. 1Heat the Pan – In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add olive oil.
  2. 2Cook the Spinach – Add the fresh spinach and stir occasionally until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. 3Season & Serve – Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Optional: Drizzle with a little lemon juice for extra flavor. Serve immediately!

How to make the Garlic Herb Sauce

  1. 1Melt the Garlic Herb Butter- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp of homemade garlic herb butter until it begins to sizzle.
  2. 2Add White Wine for Depth -Slowly pour in ¼ cup of dry white wine, stirring continuously to combine with the butter. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes to cook off the alcohol and enhance the flavor.
  3. 3Spice It Up-Sprinkle in ½ tsp red pepper flakes for a subtle heat. Stir and let the sauce simmer for another 30 seconds.
  4. 4Brighten with Lemon Juice- stir in ¼ tsp fresh lemon juice to add a zesty finish.
  5. 5Serve & enjoy: Drizzle this buttery, garlicky, herb-infused sauce over blackened salmon and shrimp for an elevated, restaurant-quality dish.
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Category: DinnerComfort Food

Keywords:

Dinner
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