Making a showstopping salmon for dinner doesn’t need to take endless hours and multiple cooking tricks. Salmon can be cooked in the microwave in a flash, so dinner is ready in no time. If you need a new recipe, you should try this!
Why might healthy microwave salmon be a good choice for your family? With just a little butter or spray oil, you can make a tasty dish that is good for you in many ways.
Butter adds only 1 to 2 Weight Watchers points per serving, and spray oil adds no points at all. This means that microwave poached salmon can be eaten by anyone.
From your head to your toes, every part of your body can benefit from eating regular salmon. Salmon’s omega-3 fatty acids are good for your heart, lower inflammation, improve your eyesight, and make your skin glow.
Omega-3s are also now accepted as an important part of plans to prevent and treat several types of cancer. Finally, salmon’s B vitamins support the brain, nervous, hormone, and metabolic symptoms.
So, yeah, you should be eating some salmon. We have salmon once a week, from Baked Salmon Asparagus Packets, to this amazing Glazed Salmon Recipe. But microwave salmon is by far the easiest of them all.
Cooking salmon in the microwave is a quick and easy way to get delicious, flaky fish on the table fast But figuring out exactly how long to microwave salmon can be tricky Undercook it and you’ll end up with raw fish, but overdo it and you’ll have dry, rubbery salmon. So how long should you really cook salmon fillets in the microwave? Read on for a complete guide with timing, tips, and tricks for perfectly cooked microwaved salmon every time.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Salmon in the Microwave?
The exact time needed to cook salmon in the microwave depends on a few factors:
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Thickness of the fillet – Thinner pieces will cook faster than thick chunks of salmon For a 1-inch thick salmon fillet, plan on around 3 minutes. Double the thickness, double the cook time
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How many portions you are cooking—microwaving one serving will take less time than cooking several. Cook time is usually 1-2 minutes per piece.
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Microwave wattage – Higher wattage microwaves will cook faster. A 1200 watt microwave may cook 30-60 seconds faster than a lower powered 700 watt model.
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Frozen vs. thawed – Thawed salmon will cook much more quickly than frozen. Thaw first in the fridge overnight or in cold water for 30 minutes.
As a general guideline, here are the recommend microwave cook times for salmon:
- 1 thin fillet (1/2 inch): 1-2 minutes
- 1 thick fillet (1 inch): Around 3 minutes
- 2-3 fillets: 3-4 minutes
- 4 fillets: 5-6 minutes
These times are for salmon cooked uncovered in the microwave. Keep reading for more on lightly covering the fish while cooking.
Microwave Salmon Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked microwaved salmon every time
1. Prepare the Salmon
Rinse salmon fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange in a single layer in a microwave-safe baking dish. Brush lightly with olive oil or melted butter. Season as desired with salt, pepper, herbs, or citrus zest.
2. Cover Lightly (Optional)
To keep the salmon extra moist and tender, you can cover the dish lightly with plastic wrap or a paper towel. This helps steam the fish as it cooks. But leave a corner open for some ventilation.
3. Microwave
Microwave on high heat for time recommended based on thickness and quantity above. Microwave ovens vary, so begin checking salmon at lower end of range.
4. Check Doneness
After the initial cook time, check salmon with a fork. It should flake apart easily when poked. If still a bit underdone in the thickest part, continue microwaving in 30 second intervals until cooked through.
5. Let Stand Briefly
Let the cooked salmon stand 2-3 minutes before serving. This helps complete the cooking process.
And that’s it! In just a few short minutes, you’ll have tender, flaky salmon ready to serve.
Tips for the Best Microwaved Salmon
Follow these tips to take your microwaved salmon from good to great:
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Don’t overcook – Microwaves often overcook food quickly, so stick to the minimum cook times and check frequently to prevent dry salmon.
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Use fresh salmon – Fresh fish has better texture and cooks more evenly than frozen. Thaw frozen salmon completely before cooking.
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Add flavor – Salmon is delicious plain, but you can also brush with oil, herbs, citrus, mustard or soy sauce.
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Elevate on a rack – Placing salmon on a microwave-safe rack helps hot air circulate for more even cooking.
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Turn halfway – For thicker fillets, turn salmon halfway through cooking to ensure even doneness throughout.
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Rest before serving – Letting the salmon sit a few minutes after cooking allows it to finish cooking gently.
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Check internal temp – For foolproof doneness, use an instant read thermometer. Salmon is perfect at 135°F.
Full Recipe for Microwaved Lemon-Herb Salmon
Now that you know how long to cook salmon in the microwave, try this easy recipe for flavorful lemon-herb salmon fillets.
Ingredients:
- 4 (5 ounce) salmon fillets
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Arrange salmon skin-side down in a microwave-safe baking dish. Brush tops evenly with oil or butter.
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In a small bowl, combine garlic, lemon juice and herbs. Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over salmon. Season with salt and pepper.
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Cover dish lightly with plastic wrap, leaving one corner open to vent steam.
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Microwave on high for 3 minutes for thin fillets, 5 minutes for thick.
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After initial cook time, check doneness by flaking with a fork. Fish should be opaque and flake easily. If not fully cooked, continue microwaving in 30 second increments until done.
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Let salmon stand 2-3 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with extra herbs or lemon wedges if desired.
With this easy recipe, you’ll have restaurant-worthy salmon ready in under 10 minutes! Adjust cook times as needed based on thickness and quantity of fillets.
So next time you’re looking for a healthy, fast dinner, give microwaved salmon a try. In just a few minutes you’ll have delicious, flaky fish ready to enjoy.
Is it safe to cook fish in the microwave?
Yes! It is perfectly safe to cook fish in the microwave. The microwave is a great place to cook fish, especially when poaching. It might seem strange at first.
Use a meat thermometer to be sure your fish is cooked all the way through when cooking it in the microwave. When done, the microwave salmon should be between 130°F – 140°F.
DOES MICROWAVE SALMON SMELL?
There are some of you who might glance over this recipe and ask, “What does it smell like?”
I’ll admit, there have been times when my kitchen has been infused with a fishy, salmon smell. On the other hand, I think that microwaving salmon (this is cooking raw salmon, not reheating cooked salmon) smells the least!
Three things can prevent any residual fishy odor – first, microwaving the salmon thawed, rather than frozen. If you cook raw salmon in the microwave, the smell from the fat in the fish is much less likely to come out.
Second, make sure your salmon is fresh. Salmon should have a mild smell. If it smells fishy, it’s not fresh enough and is likely to make your kitchen smell.
Lastly, microwave salmon only needs a few minutes to cook. If you only have one salmon fillet to cook, it takes even less time. But if you cook it for too long, the fat will render out and the salmon will become dry. That will definitely leave you with a fishy smell.
If you accidentally overcook your microwave salmon, simply deodorize the microwave after dinner with water and lemon juice. Soon your kitchen will be back to normal.
Have your tried this simple but scrumptious recipe? Made any changes? Let us know in the comments below!
Salmon Microwaved – 3 Easy Steps! Somebody tell Gordon Ramsay!
How do you cook salmon in a microwave?
Season the fish with salt and pepper. Place the salmon in a microwave safe dish and tightly cover it with plastic wrap. Microwave the salmon for 3.5 minutes. Pierce the fish with a fork in the center to check if the salmon is cooked through. If there is no bright flesh in the center, the salmon is ready to eat.
How do I choose the best salmon for microwaving?
When selecting salmon for microwaving, it is important to choose a fresh or frozen fillet that is free of bones and skin. If using frozen salmon, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for 30 minutes before cooking. Before microwaving, season the salmon fillet with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs.
How long do you cook salmon fillets?
Make sure to leave a small vent or opening to allow steam to escape during cooking. After 3 minutes, check the doneness of your salmon. Gently press the fillets with a fork or touch them to determine their firmness.
How do you cook fish fillets in the microwave?
Divide the butter evenly between the fillets and gently spread on each piece of fish. Sprinkle each fillet with lemon pepper seasoning. You can cook fillets individually or in one larger microwave safe dish, so long as they lay in a single layer. Microwave for three minutes.