Our easy Instant Pot salmon recipe is a healthy quick way to steam a fish to flaky and tender. Using fresh fillets with skin on or cooking frozen salmon, you can add vegetables or potatoes too for a complete one pot meal!
This is one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes on our site because you only need 2 ingredients with seasonings of your choice. Packed with protein, it is a low carb one pot meal for two we love.
In the case that you want to make this as one of our Ninja Foodi recipes you will follow directions below in recipe card. Use the lid that is not attached to pressure cook but also have the option to air crisp at the end if you want to. 400F for a minute or two is all you need for that step.
We didn’t do that as an InstaPot was used this time but both pots will require a trivet to keep the filets out of the liquid below. Lemon zest and/or juice is optional but salt and pepper for us is a must.
How Long to Cook Salmon in Instant Pot
Instant Pot fish only needs about 3 minutes to steam about 1 pound of fresh fish, 15 minutes total time to time to pressurize! If yours is right out of the freezer and/or quite thick I would add just 1 minute. With both you want a quick release or else they will over-cook and dry out. Amount typically feeds 2-4 people as you can see below.
Salmon and Vegetables
Just like with our other pressure cooker fish recipes you can add some vegetables into the pot at the same too if you like. Choose those that steam in 3 minutes so everything is done at the same time. Because of this I would choose those that are a bit firmer in nature, 1 cup total, such as; Cauliflower florets or baby carrots right out of the bag.
When to add Potatoes
If you want chopped russet potatoes (bite sized) it is best to put those below the trivet in the liquid. Then set the trivet on top of those topped with your fish. Do not use varieties that take less than 3 minutes like broccoli which only takes 1 and if longer will become mushy.
How Long to Cook Frozen Salmon in Instant Pot
I have full directions directions for Instant Pot Frozen Salmon here but basically it just takes 1 minute longer. If they are smaller and/or thin I would leave the cook time as is actually, especially if you like it a bit more rare in the center. Beyond that the instructions remain the same as though your pieces were fresh or defrosted.
This is a great way of How to Cook Coho Salmon or sockeye perfectly in just a few minutes. With a bit of water it can be steamed perfectly without having to watch it at all. Serve with lemon and butter for a delicious meal.
How to Season
You could use a dry rub like we do from time to time with our Salmon at 350 recipe that is sweet and savory. Follow our Salmon Dry Rub for that one. Here I just used super simple sprinkles of salt and lemon pepper out of the bottle. It really is up to you as far as this goes.
When to Add Sauce
There are tons of options when it comes to salmon sauce, use your favorites of course, but it is best to spoon on the top when it is done, before serving. Especially if it has dairy in it the heat may cause it to separate so just wait until the end to drizzle on the top.
FAQ
Smoked salmon is cooked so this isn’t necessary but if you’re simply reheating smoked salmon in a pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot), you don’t need to pressure cook it for long—1 minute on high or 2 min. on low pressure with a quick release should be enough to warm it without overcooking.
No, the fish would overcook if you steamed both at the same time. White rice takes at least 6 minutes with a natural release vs. fish fillets that take 3 minutes on high pressure max. You would want to cook these separately.
1. Baby carrots bagged are your best bet
2. Bite-size potatoes take about the same time to get tender
3. Large cuts of cauliflower work too
4. Other firm veggies like chunks of radishes or turnips placed in the water, under the trivet are good choices, all requiring around the same cooking time as fish.
Instant Pot Salmon Recipe
Equipment
- 1 trivet
Ingredients
- 2 fillets salmon, 1 pound total or so
- 1 cup water, or broth
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
- 1 pinch lemon pepper, optional seasoning
- 1/2 small lemon, juice and/or zest is optional
Instructions
- Season salmon with salt and lemon pepper seasonings and top with lemon zest. Add water to the instant pot and add the trivet/rack. (I sprayed trivet with non stick spray so it didn't stick)
- Place the salmon skin side down on top, keeping the fillets in a single layer as much as possible.
- ** If you want to add 1 cup baby carrots or diced potatoes (bite size) add those under the trivet in the water below with the trivet/rack on top, followed by fillets on top of that.
- Place the lid on and seal valve shut. Set to manual, high pressure for 3 minutes with a quick release of pressure when done. Lift out, season as you like with a squeeze of lemon juice and/or zest and enjoy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
