How to Poach Salmon Perfectly in the Oven Every Time

Salmon is one of the healthiest and most delicious fish you can eat Poaching it in the oven is a foolproof way to cook salmon that results in moist, tender and flavorful fish

I’m going to walk you through step-by-step how to poach salmon in the oven. By the end, you’ll be a pro at cooking tender salmon fillets enveloped in aromatics and flavor.

What Does It Mean to Poach Salmon?

The term “poach” means to gently simmer food in liquid. Poaching is a moist-heat cooking method that uses temperatures ranging from 140-180°F.

When you poach salmon, you submerge it in a liquid like water, wine or broth. Then, you gently simmer it at a relatively low temperature until cooked through.

Poaching salmon keeps it incredibly moist, succulent and tender. It infuses the fish with lots of flavor from the poaching liquid.

Oven poaching gives you perfect salmon every time. The hot oven heats the poaching liquid to just the right temperature. As the fish cooks, the steam created in the sealed packet keeps it deliciously moist.

Benefits of Oven Poaching Salmon

There are so many benefits to poaching salmon in the oven:

• Ensures salmon stays ridiculously moist and tender
• Infuses salmon with lots of flavor
• Allows you to add aromatics for extra flavor
• Keeps salmon from drying out
• No need to monitor a pot on the stovetop
• Easy clean up since everything is contained

Oven poaching also lets you customize flavors easily. Just throw in different herbs, citrus, vegetables or broth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Poach Salmon in the Oven

Follow these simple steps for foolproof oven poached salmon:

Ingredients Needed

• 4-6 oz salmon fillet
• Parchment paper
• 1⁄4 lemon, thinly sliced
• Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, thyme
• 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: garlic, shallots, vegetables, white wine

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Fold a large piece of parchment paper in half.

2. Place salmon fillet in the center of the parchment paper. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Top with lemon slices, fresh herbs, olive oil and any other aromatics.

4. Fold the parchment paper over the salmon to create a packet. Seal the edges by folding and crimping.

5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until salmon reaches desired doneness. Check temperature with a meat thermometer.

6. Let rest 5 minutes before opening packet. Slide salmon onto plate and enjoy!

And that’s it – perfectly poached salmon in just 15 minutes! The salmon steams gently in the packet so it stays incredibly moist and tender.

Poaching Liquid Options

Instead of just olive oil or butter, you can poach the salmon in:

• White wine or broth – add 1-2 Tbsp to parchment packet
• Citrus juice – lemon, lime or orange
• Coconut milk
• Pesto
• Soy sauce or teriyaki

Get creative with the poaching liquid to infuse lots of flavor into the salmon.

Ideas for Aromatics

Play around with different aromatics in the parchment packet:

• Lemon, lime or orange slices
• Fresh herbs like dill, cilantro, basil, thyme
• Garlic, shallots, onion, leeks
• Ginger
• Chile peppers or red pepper flakes
• Veggies like tomatoes, spinach, asparagus

Doneness Tips

• For medium-rare salmon, cook until internal temp reaches 110-115°F
• For well-done salmon, cook until internal temp reaches 145°F
• Let rest 5 minutes before serving

Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness every time. If salmon is undercooked, simply bake 2-3 more minutes.

Tips for the Best Oven Poached Salmon

Follow these tips for the most delicious poached salmon:

• Pat salmon dry before cooking so it browns properly
• Use thick, center-cut salmon fillets for even cooking
• Make sure parchment packet is well sealed
• Let salmon rest before opening packet to finish cooking
• Add veggies that cook quickly like spinach, tomatoes or zucchini
• Serve salmon on top of greens, pasta or rice to absorb delicious juices

With these handy tips, you’ll have restaurant-quality poached salmon ready in just minutes.

Quick & Easy Recipe

This simple recipe poaches salmon in just 15 minutes for a healthy weeknight meal:

Ingredients:

• 4-6 oz salmon fillet
• 2 lemon slices
• 2 sprigs fresh dill
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place salmon on a large parchment paper sheet.

2. Top with lemon slices, fresh dill, shallot and drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Seal parchment packet closed and bake 15 minutes until salmon is opaque and flakes easily.

4. Serve salmon atop greens or grains and spoon over pan juices. Enjoy!

More Delicious Ways to Poach Salmon

Once you master the basic oven poaching method, try these delicious variations:

• Miso Salmon – Top with miso paste, lime slices, cilantro and red pepper flakes
• Mediterranean Salmon – Stuff lemon slices, olives, tomatoes and basil in packet
• Pesto Salmon – Smear pesto on salmon and add cherry tomatoes and spinach
• Southwestern Salmon – Use chili powder, lime juice and corn in parchment

The options are endless for infusing your salmon with big, bold flavors. Poaching salmon in the oven makes for a healthy, foolproof dinner any night of the week.

So next time you cook up this amazing fish, try poaching it gently in the oven. You’ll be amazed at how juicy and tender the salmon turns out.