In less than 15 minutes, you can have Instant Pot salmon with a tasty lemon-dill sauce for dinner. You can cook fresh or frozen salmon in the pressure cooker, which is great for when you need to plan dinner quickly.
One of my favorite proteins to use when I want to make a light dinner is salmon. Usually, I bake it on a sheet pan with vegetables arranged around it in the oven. It’s the easiest dinner ever, and there’s not much to clean up afterward.
I did want to try something different with my salmon, though, and I used my favorite appliance, the Instant Pot, to make it.
I know that I’ve got a lot of dedicated pressure cooker fans out there. In fact, out of my top 10 recipes on the blog, five of those are instant pot recipes.
Salmon is one of the most popular and healthy fish to cook. It’s packed with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and protein. While there are numerous ways to cook salmon, using a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot has become an increasingly popular method. The convenience of the Instant Pot allows you to cook salmon from frozen in under 30 minutes with minimal effort.
When cooking salmon in the Instant Pot, the most important factor is the cook time. Nailing the right pressure cooking time ensures moist, flaky salmon every time. Undercooking will lead to raw salmon and overcooking results in dry, rubbery fish. Luckily, there are some simple guidelines to follow for perfect Instant Pot salmon.
Factors That Impact Pressure Cook Time for Salmon
There are a few key factors that impact how long to pressure cook salmon fillets:
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Thickness – Thicker cuts of salmon need longer cook times. The standard thickness to pressure cook is around 1 inch thick. Thinner salmon under 3/4 inch may only need 0 minutes cook time!
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Weight – Heavier 6-8 oz portions will need a minute or two longer than 5 oz pieces
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Fresh vs. Frozen: Cooking frozen salmon takes longer, so add two to three minutes to the time.
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Type of Salmon – Fattier salmon like king and sockeye can handle slightly longer cook times than leaner Atlantic or wild varieties.
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Personal Taste—Some people like their salmon rare, at 125°F, while others like it cooked to 140°F. Cook time impacts the final doneness.
Recommended Instant Pot Cook Times for Salmon
Here are the recommended pressure cooking times for 1-inch thick salmon fillets:
- Fresh – 1 minute
- Frozen – 3-4 minutes
Always use the quick release method after pressure cooking to prevent overcooking. After opening the pot, check the internal temperature of the thickest portion using an instant read thermometer.
- 125°F – Rare
- 130-135°F – Medium rare
- 140°F – Medium
If the salmon is slightly undercooked, you can let it rest in the hot pot with the lid off for a few minutes which will bring it up to the right serving temperature.
Adjusting Instant Pot Salmon Cook Time
It’s easy to adjust the cook time based on the thickness, whether it’s fresh or frozen, and your desired doneness. Here are some tips:
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For fresh salmon under 3/4 inch thick, subtract 1-2 minutes from the cook time or even go down to 0 minutes.
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For extra thick salmon over 1 inch, add 1-2 minutes.
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Take salmon out 1-2 minutes earlier for more rare, or 1-2 minutes longer for more well-done.
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Add 2-3 minutes for frozen vs. fresh.
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Check temperature after cooking and adjust time for next attempt if needed.
Always allow the pressure to fully release immediately after cooking to prevent overcooking.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Pressure Cooking Salmon
Follow these simple steps for foolproof Instant Pot salmon:
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Add 1 cup water to Instant Pot inner pot.
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Place steamer basket or trivet in pot.
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Rinse salmon fillets and pat dry. Season with desired spices, herbs, oil, etc.
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Place salmon skin-side down in a single layer on basket.
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Lock lid, ensure valve is sealed, and pressure cook on high for recommended time based on thickness and fresh vs. frozen.
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Quick release pressure immediately once cook time is complete.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness in thickest part. Temperature should be 125°F (rare) to 140°F (medium).
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If salmon is slightly undercooked, let rest with lid off for 2-5 minutes.
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Serve salmon immediately for best texture and moisture.
Salmon pairs nicely with fresh veggies, rice, quinoa or roasted potatoes. Top with pesto, chimichurri or a lemony dill sauce.
Helpful Tips for Instant Pot Salmon
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Use a trivet or steamer basket to elevate salmon off the bottom of the pot. This prevents overcooking.
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Always quick release pressure as soon as cook time is up. Natural release will lead to dry salmon.
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For easy cleanup, cook directly in parchment paper pouches or foil packets.
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Add lemon slices, fresh herbs, sliced garlic or spices to salmon before cooking for extra flavor.
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Use same pot to cook side dishes like quinoa or steam veggies after salmon is done.
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Brush skin with oil before cooking for crispy salmon skin.
Troubleshooting Pressure Cooker Salmon
If your Instant Pot salmon turns out over or undercooked, no worries! Use these troubleshooting tips:
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Salmon is undercooked – Check thickness and adjust cook time up by 1-2 minutes next attempt. Let salmon rest in hot pot with lid off for 2-5 minutes then re-check internal temp.
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Salmon is overcooked – For next time, reduce cook time by 1-2 minutes. Be sure to quick release pressure immediately and don’t let salmon steam in pot.
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Salmon is sticking – Use more oil or parchment paper next time. Make sure basket is elevated off bottom of pot.
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Salmon skin is soggy – Pat skin very dry before cooking. Brush with oil. Cook skin-side up instead.
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Salmon has poor flavor – Experiment with marinades, seasoning blends, fresh herbs and spices in the pot to boost flavor.
With the right cook time and a few simple tricks, you’ll be able to make restaurant-quality salmon in your Instant Pot any night of the week!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I pressure cook frozen salmon?
For 1-inch thick frozen salmon fillets, pressure cook for 4 minutes on high pressure then quick release. Check internal temp and adjust time up or down 1 minute next attempt if needed.
Can you overcook salmon in an Instant Pot?
Yes, it’s possible to overcook salmon in an Instant Pot if you use natural release instead of quick release, cook too long, or leave it sitting in the cooker after it’s done. Always quick release immediately after cook time is up.
Should you add liquid when pressure cooking salmon?
Yes, adding 1 cup water to the Instant Pot is recommended when pressure cooking salmon. The steam created helps cook the salmon evenly. Elevate salmon above liquid on a trivet.
What temperature shouldInstant Pot salmon be?
Aim for an internal temperature of 125-140°F. Check with an instant read thermometer in the thickest part after cooking and release pressure. If under 125°F, return to pot for 2-5 minutes.
Can you put frozen salmon straight into the Instant Pot?
Yes, it’s fine to place frozen salmon fillets directly into the Instant Pot. Be sure to add 2-3 extra minutes to the cook time for frozen vs. fresh salmon, and check internal temp when done.
The Bottom Line
Cooking moist and flaky salmon in the Instant Pot is quick and easy when you use the right cook times. Allowing for thickness, frozen vs. fresh, and personal preference, you can nail the perfect doneness every time. In under 30 minutes, you can enjoy incredible salmon entrees on any busy weeknight.
How Do You Make Instant Pot Salmon?
- It’s super easy to cook salmon in the instant pot. Your pressure cooker only needs a cup of water and a rack on top. Then you can add the salmon. I add salt and pepper to mine and put some lemon slices on top to make it taste better.
The rack ensures that the salmon is elevated above the water, so that it won’t get water logged.
I recently discovered this Silicone Pressure Cooker Rack by OXO. I love that because it’s made from silicone, the food doesn’t stick to the rack. Plus, it’s super easy to clean, and dishwasher safe. It can also be used as a trivet, which essentially means you’re getting two kitchen tools in one.
You can make the lemon butter sauce on the stove in the same amount of time it takes to cook the salmon in the pressure cooker. It goes great with the salmon.
- White Wine (can swap chicken or vegetable stock)
- Shallot (can swap garlic or green onion)
- Lemon Juice
- Butter (unsalted is best)
- Fresh Dill (or dried – optional)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Making sauce in the Instant Pot
You could also use the SAUTE function on your pressure cooker to make this sauce if you don’t want to clean another pan. Fill up the pressure cooker with water, put the cooked salmon on a plate, and then make the sauce in the cooker.