Poached salmon, simmered until tender in white wine and garlic, takes less time than ordering takeout. It’s healthy, delicately flavored with bright citrus and fresh herbs, and you only have to wash one pan. If you’re looking for an easy salmon recipe this one is it!
When it comes to busy weeknights poached salmon is on the regular rotation in my house. I don’t have to turn on my oven, which is a big deal when temperatures rise in Atlanta! It’s also shockingly fast. This recipe takes only 5 minutes to prepare the ingredients, and the salmon turns buttery-soft after poaching for about 5 to 8 minutes.
Pair this easy salmon recipe with something green like Blanched Asparagus or a Lemon Parmesan Salad to add some crunch. Both recipes are ready in about 10 minutes and on a weeknight that’s a win for me! If a few carbs are in order poached salmon goes beautifully with the slightly floral nature of Basmati Rice. The rice, however, will take longer to cook than the salmon so start the rice first.
Quick, easy, healthy, and delicious —this poached salmon recipe with the bright flavors of lemon and dill can be on your table start to finish in 15 minutes or less!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Poached Salmon
Poaching is one of the fastest and easiest ways to cook salmon. Simply throw some pantry essentials in a pan (yes, white wine is a pantry essential around here) and simmer for 5 minutes! You’re left with a tender, soft salmon and delicious broth.
- Lemon: Lemon juice is used to flavor the poaching liquid, and zest is used as a garnish.
- White wine: A dry white wine works best with the savory flavors of the poaching liquid.
- Flavor makers: Shallot and garlic bring a sweet allium flavor to the lemony white wine poaching liquid. I love the delicate flavor of shallot here. You can substitute with ½ of a small yellow onion, sliced into half moons, if necessary.
- Fresh herbs: Dill and parsley bring the Mediterranean flavor for this easy salmon recipe. You can substitute dried in a pinch, but nothing beats fresh herbs.
- Salmon: Salmon fillets vary greatly in terms of thickness. A thicker fillet, like king or sockeye, works best for poaching. If you have a thin fillet, lower the cooking time.
- Kosher salt: Seasoning with kosher salt draws out the flavor of both the fish and the poaching liquid.
- Extra virgin olive oil: This step is optional, but I love to drizzle on some peppery Hojiblanca.
How to Poach Salmon
Simple Poached Salmon comes together in about 10 minutes and just one pan. This is such an easy salmon recipe you may even memorize it!
- Prep the lemon: Zest one lemon, then slice it in half and juice into a large saucepan with a lid. Cut the second lemon into wedges or slices. Set the sliced lemon and zest aside.
- Make the poaching liquid: To the saucepan with the lemon juice, add ½ cup white wine. Stir in 1 thinly sliced shallot, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 sprigs each of parsley and dill. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Season the salmon: Slice a 1 ½ pound salmon fillet into 4 equal portions. Pat dry with paper towels, then season each piece all over with kosher salt.
- Poach the salmon: Nestle the salmon portions in the poaching liquid. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cover. Cook for 5-8 minutes (I stop at 5 minutes). The poaching time depends on how well-done you like your fish, and how thick it is.
- Garnish: Take the salmon off the heat. Sprinkle with the reserved lemon zest, chopped fresh parsley leaves and dill.
- Serve: Use a spatula to transfer each piece of salmon to your serving plates. Ladle the broth over top. Drizzle with olive oil if you’d like, and serve with lemon wedges or slices on the side.
Tips for The Best Poached Salmon
Poaching salmon is easy, but there are a few simple things you can do to make it that much better.
- Know how to tell when salmon is cooked. Poached salmon is cooked through when it’s changed to a pale pink and flakes easily with a fork. A thermometer should read 125°F.
- Remove the skin while it’s still warm. If you want to remove the salmon’s skin, it’s easiest when it’s just cool enough to handle but still warm.
What to Serve with Poached Salmon
This simple salmon is a 10-minute meal all on its own. If I have extra time, I make Basmati Rice or Couscous. For a well-rounded meal, serve this easy salmon recipe with a fresh and crunchy salad, like Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, Radicchio, Fresh Fennel and Orange, or Asparagus Salad.
More Delicious Ways to Cook Salmon
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Hojiblanca Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This olive oil has a slight peppery finish. Drizzle it over salads, poached fish or soups just before serving to add an extra something special.
Poached Salmon
Ingredients
- 2 large lemons
- ½ cup white wine
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 sprigs parsley
- 3 sprigs dill, (or ½ to 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 ½ pounds salmon fillet, sliced into four equal portions
- Kosher salt
- Hojiblanca Spanish extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the lemon: Zest, then juice one lemon. Slice the second lemon into wedges or rounds for garnish. Set aside.
- Prepare the poaching liquid: In a large saucepan with a lid, combine the wine, lemon juice, shallot, garlic, and 2 sprigs parsley, and 2 sprigs dill. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Season the salmon: Pat the salmon dry and season with kosher salt on both sides.
- Poach the salmon: Nestle the salmon in the poaching liquid. Lower the heat to maintain a simmer and cover. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish and your desired doneness (I stop at 5 minutes). While the salmon poaches chop the remaining sprig of parsley and dill.
- Serve: Transfer the salmon to four serving plates and top with a bit of the poaching liquid. Sprinkle the salmon with lemon zest, chopped parsley, and dill. Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if using. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges or slices on the side.
Notes
- Skin-on and skinless salmon will both work well for this recipe. If you’re using skin-on salmon, you may want to use a sharp knife to remove the skin just before serving.
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Wonderfully flavored, tender salmon. This goes on my repeat list.
Great recipe. Love the flavors of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Lived in Cairo for 5 1/2 years. That city is a trip! I live in East Texas now
Regards
Thanks so much, Bart!
This was my first time poaching salmon and it was insanely delicious! Loved this recipe and will make it a regular for sure.
Awesome! Thanks, Rebecca!
This recipe is easy, delicious, and a great entrée for summertime.
Made exactly as written and went with 3 minutes of poaching time since I was only making one portion. Best poached salmon I’ve ever had.
Very simple and tasty! thanks!
Poached salmon is so delicious! While I usually opt for salmon dishes that are crispy, I'm going to try this tomorrow night. Sometimes the simplest cooking methods yield the best results.
Love your poached salmon recipe.
Another fabulous recipe that is so simple. It really did take only 15 minutes from start to finish. It came out so moist which was great, because whenever I cook salmon in the oven it's a toss up about whether it will dry out. I shared this recipe with my neighbor who is a fantastic cook; she cooks fish all the time so I'm hoping she will love it too.
Great to hear! Thanks, Maureen!
Simple yet delicious recipe, I used vegetable broth as pouching liquid .
My husband loves it.
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.