How to make perfectly moist and flaky Instant Pot salmon using fresh or frozen fish fillets in 15 minutes or less. Healthy, low carb dinner recipe that you can serve with all your favorite side dishes for a quick and easy weeknight meal!
My family loves grilled fish fillets and fried crappie, but it just seems like fish can be a lot of work. Lately I’ve been making an effort to eat more fish, but I just don’t usually have much time to cook with all the craziness of life. That’s what got me started with making salmon in the Instant Pot; and let me tell you, this is by far my favorite way to cook salmon fillets!
Not only is Instant Pot salmon quick to make, but it’s easy too! The Instant Pot automates the entire cooking process so that you can set it and forget it, and the moist cooking environment keeps the fillet nice and tender. If you’re looking for more Instant Pot recipes, you’ll love this Instant Pot whole chicken, these Instant Pot meatloaf and potatoes, Instant Pot sausage and rice, Instant Pot baby back ribs and shredded chicken tacos in the Instant Pot!
Ingredients & Substitutions Notes
- Salmon Fillets – You can use fresh or frozen salmon fillets for this recipe. Both skin-on and skinless will work just fine! Sometimes salmon can be pretty expensive, and so I’ll substitute with whatever I can find affordably. Think tilapia, cod, Pacific whiting, flounder, haddock or even mahi mahi.
- Lemon Juice – You can squeeze your own lemon juice from fresh lemons, but I usually just use bottled lemon juice. I’m a lazy cook!
- Dill – Fresh dill is best, but you can use dried dill if that’s all you have on hand. When substituting dried dill for fresh dill, use 1/3 of the total amount of fresh dill called for in the recipe.
- Other Herbs & Seasonings – Don’t be afraid to switch things up with your favorite herbs and seasonings! Rosemary, thyme, sage, basil, oregano, parsley, cilantro, lemon pepper, garlic powder and paprika all go great with Insta Pot salmon fillets!
How to Make Instant Pot Salmon
Before getting started, get your Instant Pot out and ready to go. Remove any pieces from inside the pot and set aside. Let’s get started…
Assembling the Electric Pressure Cooker
- Start by adding water, lemon juice, lemon slices and dill to the bottom of the pot.
- Next, install the metal trivet. Then add the salmon fillets, followed by more lemon slices and a sprinkling of salt and pepper on top.
How to Cook Salmon in the Instant Pot
- Now secure the Instant Pot lid on top, and turn the pressure release valve to seal. Then set the manual setting to high pressure cook for 4 minutes, adding an extra minute if your fish fillet is thick or frozen.
- When your Instant Pot is done cooking, release the pressure valve to vent and release the pressure.
That’s it! The best part about the Instant Pot is that there’s absolutely no guess work about whether or not your salmon is fully cooked. Just set the time and forget about it. Top your Insta Pot salmon off with homemade tzatziki sauce or even this peach mango salsa for the ultimate weeknight dinner!
What to Serve With Instant Pot Salmon
- Pretty much any seafood pairs perfectly with fruit salsa!
- Serve pressure cooker salmon alongside your favorite veggies! Broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, creamed corn, green beans and even steamed spinach all come to mind.
- Before you cook your salmon, try adding root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, turnips and onions to the pressure cooker with the salmon so that they can cook together.
- Instead of root veggies, you can add rice to the pressure cooker to make your own Instant Pot salmon and rice!
- Broccoli salad, pasta salad, dill veggie finger salad, and even this layered salad all go really well with any fish fillet.
- Green bean casserole makes a great side dish for Insta Pot salmon. Alternatively, you can make this corn casserole with cream cheese or even this cheesy hash brown casserole!
- If you’re looking for classic side dish recipes, it’s hard to beat baked potatoes or mashed potatoes. Throw in a few ears of sweet corn on the cob, and you’re all set!
- If you like fish and chips, you’ll love pressure cooker salmon served alongside crispy seasoned steak fries. Bonus points if you make homemade chili cheese fries!
Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ’s
Of course! You can store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When you’re ready to eat, reheat your salmon in the microwave for a few minutes on high. Alternatively, you can reheat it on a baking sheet in the oven at 350ºF for 5-10 minutes, ’til warmed throughout.
More Easy Seafood Recipes
- Easy Salmon Patties Recipe
- Crab Enchiladas
- Grilled Taco Tuna Melt
- Fish Tacos
- Maple Bourbon Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
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Instant Pot Salmon
Make perfectly moist Instant Pot salmon using fresh or frozen fillets. Healthy, one pot dinner recipe you can make in 15 minutes or less!
- 6-Quart Instant Pot
- 2 Salmon Fillets
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Lemon Juice
- 2 Lemons (sliced)
- 5 sprigs Fresh Dill
- Sea Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
Start by adding the water, lemon juice, roughly half of the lemon slices and dill to the bottom of your Instant Pot.
Next, install the metal trivet, and then add the salmon fillets followed by the rest of the lemon slices and a sprinkling of salt and pepper on top.
Now secure the Instant Pot lid on top, and turn the pressure release valve to seal. Set the manual setting to high pressure cook for 4 minutes. adding an extra minute if your fish fillet is thick or frozen.
When your Instant Pot is done cooking, release the pressure valve to vent and release the pressure.
That's it! Serve and enjoy with your favorite side dishes!
How should I store leftover salmon?
You can store leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few minutes on high, or on a baking sheet in the oven at 350ºF for 10-15 minutes, ’til warmed throughout.
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