How to Cook Crockpot Salmon

Crockpot salmon is a great way to set it and forget it so your fish comes out moist, flaky and perfect every time. Easy slow cooker meal you can add vegetables to or enjoy as is with lemon or teriyaki sauce. If you love our baked salmon with dry rub but don’t want to heat up your house with the oven this is great.

Slow Cooker Salmon

These two names are synonymous right? If you are like me I bet you have a few, in different sizes, and maybe colors on the outside too. I get it. If you have never thought about this idea, let me temp you as to why you need more than one. Yes you could throw some diced zucchini in with the fillets, but you don’t want to overwhelm the pot.

Instead I’ll use my larger version for this and make another crock full of slow cooker collard greens. BAM, oh yes I did. Best Southern duo ever. Super healthy and low and slow works great for both of these babies. I will share a few other duos we love to make together below too, but you get the idea right?

How Long to Cook Salmon in Slow Cooker

Of course the cook time always will vary just a bit depending on how large your pieces are, the size of your pot, and the thickness BUT 2 hours is usually just about right all the way around. You’ll want to cut your whole salmon fillet in half so it will fit. Maybe into thirds if it just won’t sit quite right.

Alternatively you can slice into individual servings from the get go so there is no slicing when it is time to serve this baby up. I like doing that personally if I think of it ahead of time. Now here we are using just a simple lemon and seasonings. You could use our salmon dry rub on top for bolder flavors. If you like sweet, savory and WOW, go for that.

Now the thing to remember with this method of cooking sockeye salmon or wild caught is that it is going to be SUPER tender, without any crisp on the outside. Personally I love it either way but some days I have more of a preference of one way or the other.

The texture is similar to making fresh or Instant Pot frozen salmon, but just takes longer. Instead of high pressure you are essentially steaming fish in slow cooker over a few hours.

Slow Cooker Salmon Teriyaki

Talking about seasonings you could use a flavorful sauce over the top too if you would rather. I’d leave off the lemon in this case. Veri Veri is a great bottled brand we love, or this is how to make homemade teriyaki sauce with brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, garlic and ginger.

• Line slow cooker with parchment paper.
• Lay a few lemon slices on the bottom of the slow cooker with the salmon filets on top of those with the skin side down.
• Pour chicken or vegetable broth inside and then season the top with salt and pepper, garlic powder etc.
• Place additional lemon slices on top of the fillets if desired.
• Cover with the lid and cook on low for 2 hours or until the thickest part reaches the “doneness” you desire. It should be flaky and no longer translucent in the middle.
• Lift out with a slotted spoon and serve with diced green onions, as Hot Honey Salmon with a drizzle of Mike’s on top or a squeeze of lemon juice.

If you wanted to cook this way and then get a bit of crisp on the outside I would suggest following this recipe for 1.5 hours. Then look at our air fryer teriyaki salmon recipe and cut the cook time in half since you’re just finishing it off.

Another option is to throw Salmon in Toaster Oven for just a few minutes to crisp the top just a tad.

How to Cook Fish in Slow Cooker

Printable recipe is below to follow and keep handy if you want to as well. These instructions and timing are for defrosted or fresh pieces. This is how to cook frozen salmon a number of different ways if that is all you have. With this way you would need a bit more time but the steps would remain the same.

Slow Cooker Salmon and Vegetables

If you did want to slow cook some veggies you could. They would have to cook at the same rate, in 2 hours on low so keep that in mind. You don’t want to cover the fish either so 1 cup is about the max. Zucchini dials would work, slow cooker baby carrots, or cauliflower florets.