Butter Poached Salmon
This simple recipe is one of the best ways to cook salmon fillets. You can serve this Butter Poached Salmon for a fancy meal or an easy weeknight dinner to feed the family. Either is a great choice and gives a delicious low carb option for the whole family to enjoy.
What I love about this easy salmon recipe is that it has a quick cooking time, giving you delicious juicy salmon filets every time.
I promise you that the next time you cook salmon, this is the easiest way. Butter-poached salmon goes well with any side dish, making this simple dish versatile to serve in so many different ways.
If you’re a fan of salmon, be sure to try these Smoked Salmon Bites and this Keto Salmon Recipe for two other fun, easy, and scrumptious recipes.
Ingredients
- Salmon – You’ll need two salmon fillets for this recipe. I like to use wild salmon.
- Olive oil – Used in the skillet to crisp the salmon skin.
- Salted butter – This will be added to the top of the salmon as the salmon cooks.
- Salt and pepper – For flavor.
- Fresh dill – Adding fresh dill is optional but recommended. The flavor pairs perfectly with the salmon.
- Grape tomatoes – Adding tomatoes is also optional but they add a nice pop of color and flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Butter Poached Salmon
Step One: Season the salmon with the salt and pepper. Put a 12-inch skillet on the stove and preheat on medium-high heat.
Step Two: Add the olive oil and place salmon in the skillet skin side down. Cook for 3 minutes.
Step Three: Turn the pan heat to low and then add the butter. It will bubble up.
Step Four: If you are using dill and tomatoes, add them along with the butter.
Step Five: Spoon the melted butter over the top of the salmon. Cook and baste the salmon with the butter for another 3-5 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should be 130 degrees for medium.
Step Six: Take the salmon from the pan and put it onto the plate. Add the rest of the poaching liquid on top.
Top Tip💡
A thicker fillet will take a bit longer to cook, and you may need more butter sauce. Make sure that you adjust the simple ingredients as needed per the size of the fillets.
Substitutions
- Unsalted butter – If you don’t want to use salted butter, unsalted butter will work just fine. I would recommend adding a pinch of salt.
- Cherry tomatoes – These can be used as well. If they are larger ones you can cut them in half.
Variations
- Lemon – You can add lemon slices as a fun garnish to your plate or even squeeze fresh lemon juice on top!
- Kosher salt and Black pepper – Both are great options for seasoning. You can also use seasoned salts, too.
- Fresh herbs – Adding a bay leaf to the skillet is a fun way to add flavor to the cooked pieces of salmon. You could also add basil or rosemary to the pan instead of dill, or any other herb combination that you want.
- Garlic – Adding a couple of halved garlic cloves to the skillet to make garlic butter salmon is a great option.
See this Bacon Wrapped Salmon Bites for a savory dish!
Equipment
You’ll need a cast iron skillet or large saucepan to make this luscious salmon recipe. Also, a spoon to spoon the melted butter on top.
Storage
If you have a portion of salmon left over, you can save it for later in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge until you are ready to eat. To reheat, you can heat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Common Questions
Absolutely! This is a great way to add a fun flavor to the salmon as it’s cooking on the stove. Choose your favorite wine or cooking wine and have fun!
Steamed vegetables, white rice, or even just a few sauteed mushrooms would be a great choice. You can also keep it super simple and serve with a side salad.
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Butter Poached Salmon
Ingredients
Optional
- fresh dill
- grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Season salmon with salt and pepper
- Preheat a skillet to medium-high heat.
- Add the cooking oil.
- Lay salmon in frying pan skin side down and cook for 3 min.
- Turn the pan to low. Add the butter to the pan. Add dill and tomatoes, if using.
- Use a spoon to spoon the melted butter on top of the salmon. Continue cooking and basting the salmon with the butter for another 3-5 minutes until your desired doneness.
- Remove salmon from pan and plate. Pour the remaining butter over the top and serve.
Nutrition
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I can finally not overcook my salmon! I didn’t have tomatoes available. I sprinkled some dried dill on top. The salmon was wonderfully prepared. This recipe is very basic, the flavor of the salmon and butter is what shines through. For those who desire more flavor, it will be easy to customize. Next time I will be sure to add a squeeze of lemon if I don’t have tomatoes for that acidic flavor.