Our easy pressure cooker salmon recipe in Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi is healthy and quick to steam to flaky tender bites. Use fresh fillets with vegetables if you like, or we have step by step directions to cook Instant Pot Frozen Salmon here too!
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. (post may contain affiliate links present)
Table of Contents
- Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Salmon Recipe
- Instant Pot Salmon and Vegetables
- How Long to Cook Salmon in a Pressure Cooker
- Ingredients
- What do you need to cook fish in a pressure cooker?
- Variations and Substitutions
- Can you cook frozen salmon in pressure cooker?
- How to Cook Salmon in Instant Pot
- Pressure Cooker Salmon Recipe
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Salmon Recipe
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 didnโt 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.
Instant Pot 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 cut into large bite size pieces work well
- You could dice a medium potato to get tender
- Baby carrots right out of the bag is your best bet of them all though
How Long to Cook Salmon in a Pressure Cooker
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.
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.
Ingredients
- Fresh or frozen salmon fillets with the skin on were used, defrosted, though skinless is fine too
- Cup of Water or broth is needed to create enough steam to cook
- Salt and ground black pepper or lemon juice gives them nice flavor. Or sprinkle some of our Salmon Dry Rub with olive oil on top at the beginning.
What do you need to cook fish in a pressure cooker?
You will need the electric pressure cooker pot itself with a trivet or steamer basket works too. To cook fish though I prefer a flat rack so they lay flat and fit better personally.
Variations and Substitutions
If you want to add carrots or chopped russet potato 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.
There are tons of options when it comes to seasonings, use your favorites of course. Many times I will set a pat of butter on top to add flavor and moisture. You could use a dry rub like we do from time to time with our Salmon at 350 recipe.
Can you cook frozen salmon in pressure cooker?
Yes! I have full directions at the top of this post 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.
How to Cook Salmon in Instant Pot
- Season salmon with salt and pepper (garlic powder, Old Bay work too) and top with lemon zest.
- Add water to the Instant Pot
- Lay trivet inside, or rack.
- 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 add those under the trivet in the water below
- Place the lid on and seal valve shut.
- for Ninja Foodi salmon use the lid that is not attached
- Set to high pressure for 3 minutes
- Quick release pressure when done
- Serve with side dishes and enjoyy.
Smoked salmon is cooked so this isnโt necessary but if youโre simply reheating smoked salmon in a pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot), you donโt need to pressure cook it for longโ1 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.
Pressure Cooker Salmon
Equipment
- 1 pressure cooker
- 1 trivet
Ingredients
- 2 fillets salmon, 1 pound total or so
- 1 c water, or broth
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 lemon, juice and/or zest is optional
Instructions
- Season salmon with salt and pepper 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 add those under the trivet in the water below with the trivet/rack on top.
- 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.
