Poached Salmon

This is the perfect dish that's easy yet deceptively fancy. If you're entertaining in a hurry or dining solo, you have to try this recipe.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated March 27, 2024
Elise Bauer

Whether you are entertaining a crowd or making a simple meal for one, there's nothing more easy and delicious than poached salmon. This is my hands-down favorite way to prepare salmon, because it's so quick!

Poached Salmon with dill on a plate with silver trim

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

Shallow Poaching Is Fast But Gentle

Start to finish, it takes only 15 minutes (at least with a small fillet), and it doesn't stink up the kitchen the way broiling or frying salmon can.

The method we use is "shallow poaching." Rather than submerging the salmon into a poaching liquid, we rest it on a bed of shallots, parsley, and dill, with a little white wine and water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook. The salmon cooks gently and absorbs the flavors of the aromatics.

Overhead of poached salmon on a plate with lemon slices and dill

Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

The Best Salmon for Poaching

More or less, the best salmon to poach with this method is the salmon you happen to have on hand. Ideally, though, you'll want salmon fillets that are at least 1 inch thick, with the skin still on. They'll be less likely to fall apart when you remove them from the poaching liquid. The variety of salmon is up to you. We love wild-caught Pacific salmon varieties such as Coho, King, and Sockeye.

How Our Readers Make This Recipe Their Own

  • Lisa E.: "I made a sauce out of the poaching liquid reduced with lemon and pepper and served it over the salmon and sides."
  • Flap: "The wine I replaced with vegetable stock, and I tossed a large handful of mushrooms. In the last few minutes, I also added cherry tomatoes, then removed the still covered pot from the heat to finish it."
  • Michelle: "I made a tzatziki sauce to go over the salmon and paired with roasted sun dried tomatoes over spaghetti squash."
  • Nancy: "Could not be easier! No fuss and it comes out perfect. I serve it cold for picnics with a caper parsley sauce. A total hit."
  • Carole G.: "Just cooked this evening substituted shallots with onions and herbs to garlic, parsley and basil poached for 13 minutes and it was delicious. Will definitely do again and soon."

Perfect Poached Salmon Sides

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Poached Salmon

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings 2 to 4 servings

To feed a crowd with a large fillet, use a pan wide enough to hold the whole fillet. Then, add enough white wine and water to cover the bottom of the pan by at least 1/4 of an inch.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (a good Sauvignon Blanc)

  • 1/2 cup water

  • Several sprigs of fresh dill or a sprinkle of dried dill

  • 1 sprig fresh parsley

  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced, or a few thin slices of onion

  •  1 to 1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets, pin bones removed

  • Salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 to 3 slices fresh lemon, to serve

Method

  1. Prepare the poaching liquid:

    Put the wine, water, dill, parsley and shallots or onions in a sauté pan, and bring to a simmer on medium heat.

    Dill, parsley, and shallot sautéing in a pan on a stove

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
  2. Add the salmon:

    Sprinkle the salmon fillets with a little salt. Place salmon fillets, skin-side down on the pan, and cover.

    Salmon poaching on top of herbs in a pan on gas stove

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
    Salmon poaching in a pan with a lid on a gas stove

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
  3. Cook and serve the salmon:

    Cook 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet, or to desired done-ness. Do not overcook.

    Salmon poaching on herbs in a pan

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    Serve sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper and a slice or two of lemon on the side.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

    Poached Salmon on a white serving plate with dill and lemon

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
380 Calories
21g Fat
5g Carbs
38g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 380
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 254mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 12mg 61%
Calcium 39mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 750mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.