Cold Poached Salmon

“Your poached salmon is only as good as the broth you cook it in” – words of wisdom from my Mom.  The title of this post COULD be misleading- it is poached salmon, served cold. But tomato-tomahtoe- it is delicious and fresh. I would recommend you use fresh herbs– it makes such a difference in the poaching broth, but either way- your salon will taste fab. This poached salmon is also Whole30 friendly- winner!

So how do you make this great broth? You start with fresh ingredients of course and use the ones that pack the biggest punch.  Fresh herbs, lemon, garlic, plenty of salt and pepper will get you started.  I like tarragon in this recipe, and lots of it.  I am lucky to have a fresh herb garden but if you don’t , dried will work great – just be sure your dried herbs haven’t been sitting in your pantry for too long.

Poaching broth~ almost as delicious as the salmon itself!

The salmon I use is Steelhead and I buy it at Costco.  Living in Seattle we have a lot of choices – but I still find I get the freshest and most affordable salmon there.  They also sell an Atlantic Salmon but I am not a fan….it’s a little bland for me.

You can make this the day before or several hours prior to serving.  Just give yourself enough time for the salmon to throughly chill.  Most poached salmon is served with a dill sauce – time got the best of me and I didn’t get the photo of the sauce. But here is the one I used Creamy Dill Sauce .  I like it because it uses mayo and yogurt. (always watching the waistline!)

NOTE: Leave skin on while cooking.  Remove right after poaching using a spatula (slide between skin and meat)…or wait until thoroughly chilled.

Still looking for more way to add yummy salmon to your life?  Try my Salmon Burgers with Avocado Salsa!  So incredibly easy to make! Or Baked Feta and Herb Crusted Salmon!  Another super fast and fresh salmon dinner!

Cold Poached Salmon

4.2 from 15 votes

Print Pin Recipe  Comment

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

It's all about the broth here! Feel free to amp up the herbs until you get your desired flavor intensity.

Course: Dinner, Main Course, seafood

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

: 138 kcal

: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

• 1 large salmon fillet - cut into steaks leaving skin on
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 3 cloves large garlic chopped
• 1/4 cup or more of fresh chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons heaping fresh chopped tarragon
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme
• 2 in lemons - one juiced one sliced (throw the juiced one there too for good measure!)
• cups About 4 of water - enough to cover salmon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add onion and garlic. Cook until soft.
2. Add remaining herbs and lemon. Cook an additional minute or so to release the flavors.
3. Add water, salt and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes or until flavors are fully infused. Reduce heat to a simmer.
5. Immerse salmon into poaching liquid - skin side down. Do not flip during cooking - it will crumble your fish. Cook fish about 8-12 minutes depending on thickness. Remove from liquid and place on tray. Slide spatula between salmon and skin to remove.
6. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.
7. Serve with fresh cucumber if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Cold Poached Salmon

Amount Per Serving

Calories 138 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Cholesterol 23mg8%

Sodium 313mg13%

Potassium 278mg8%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 335IU7%

Vitamin C 7.8mg9%

Calcium 21mg2%

Iron 0.6mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.