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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Seafood / Poached Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Poached Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Published June 2, 2021. Last updated May 29, 2022 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

poached salmon with text overlay
poached salmon with text overlay
2 images of poached salmon with text overlay between them

The simplicity and elegance of this dish makes it a quick, easy, and versatile meal to serve at weeknight dinners and dinner parties alike. Wild-caught Alaskan Poached Salmon is the star of this healthy recipe, which is extremely sustainable compared to other types of fish.

Close up of poached salmon and lemon slices with fresh thyme in the background

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This recipe for poached salmon is infused with the aromas of lemon, shallot, garlic, thyme, and butter. It has a delightfully Mediterranean flair to it, and salmon is a lean protein which is easily complimented by many other side dishes.

Poached salmon is a simple way to prepare a delicate and delicious dish. Poaching is a quick and easy way to cook many other types of fish, as well.

Salmon is a versatile fish; as a main dish it may be paired with sides such as Broiled Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese Sauce, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Mustard Dressing or Lyonnaise Potatoes. Wild-caught, Alaskan salmon is one of the most sustainable fish varieties to consume; it is also extremely healthy.

Why This Recipe Works

Poached Salmon is one of the quickest and easiest methods to cook and prepare fish. You can poach other types of fish using this method; for similar results, try substituting pollack, halibut or cod.

This recipe yields a tender, yet flavorful, and moist fish fillet. Poached Salmon should be perfectly flakey and supple.

Naturally low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free, this dish is good for you and provides extra omega-3s and lean protein.

How To Poach Salmon in the Oven

Salmon can be poached in the oven or on the stove top. For this recipe, poaching the fish in the oven is recommended. 

Ingredients

Ingredients to make poached salmon on a white backdrop with labels

  • Salmon: I strongly recommend using the highest quality salmon that you can find. Personally, I use salmon and other seafood from Sitka Salmon Shares because it’s wild-caught in Alaska and processed in the U.S. rather than China. Sitka Salmon Shares is like a CSA for seafood. You can save $25 off of your first share with the code DLB, if you are interested in trying it.
  • Lemon
  • Shallot
  • Garlic
  • White Wine
  • Thyme
  • Butter

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Cut the lemon into slices and remove the seeds. Thinly slice the shallot and mince the garlic.

If your salmon has skin you’ll want to remove it, as well as any pin bones that may be present.

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Create!

Lemons, shallots, garlic and butter close up in a black skillet

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the lemon slices and cook 1-2 minutes per side, or until hot and bubbly. 

Add the shallot and garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Pour in the wine and add the sprigs of thyme.

Salmon fillets with lemon slices and shallots in a black skillet

Season the salmon with salt and pepper and place in the pan.

Salmon in a skillet covered with a parchment paper cartouche

Cover with a cartouche (parchment paper cut into a circle the size of your pan with a small hole cut into the center to vent).

Poached salmon and lemon slices close up in a skillet

Bake 6-8 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Present!

Poached salmon with lemon slices on a plate with a branch of fresh thyme in the background

Serve with pan sauce and fresh thyme leaves.

Note: poached salmon can be served warm or chilled. In this particular recipe, the pan sauce is best served warm, however the salmon can be removed and chilled. If serving chilled, this recipe should be made several hours ahead of time to allow time for it to chill.

Tips and Techniques

  • For the best flavor, use the highest quality salmon that you can find.
  • To make the recipe alcohol-free, you can use water in place of the white wine.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days.

FAQ’s

What Vegetables Pair Well With Salmon?

Most vegetables will pair well with salmon. Broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts and potatoes are great choices to serve with salmon dishes.

What Type of Salmon is Healthiest?

Wild-caught, Pacific salmon is generally considered to be the healthiest.

More Salmon Recipes

Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes
Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes are an easy-to-make recipe that is full of so much delicious garlicky, lemony flavor. These patties can be enjoyed as an appetizer or the main dish.
Get The Recipe
Close up of Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes on a white plate with a white bowl of aioli with a small spoon in it and a lemon, garlic and blue and white towel in the background over a wood board
Sheet Pan Salmon Fajitas
Sheet Pan Salmon Fajitas are a one-pan easy dinner recipe that is loaded with flavor. You can get this delicious meal on your table in around 30 minutes. It's naturally gluten free and can easily be made low carb or keto-friendly.
Get The Recipe
Overhead of sheet pan salmon fajitas with peppers and onion on a baking sheet with limes and cilantro
Red Curry Salmon
Curry Salmon is a quick and easy meal with big flavor that can be made in just 30 minutes. Oven-roasted chunks of salmon are combined with a delicious red curry-based sauce. Strips of shallot and peppers are added to make this a complete meal, although you can definitely enjoy it over rice or cauliflower rice to keep it low carb and keto friendly.
Get The Recipe

Love this Poached Salmon recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

Poached salmon with lemon slices on a plate
Print

Poached Salmon with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

The simplicity and elegance of this dish makes it a quick, easy, and versatile meal to serve at weeknight dinners and dinner parties alike. Wild-caught Alaskan Poached Salmon is the star of this healthy recipe, which is extremely sustainable compared to other types of fish.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Gluten Free, Low Carb, Seafood
Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 119kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 4 6 ounce salmon fillets
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 lemon (cut into 4-5 slices)
  • 1 shallot (cut into thin strips)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 4 sprigs thyme

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Season salmon fillets with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the lemon slices and cook 1-2 minutes per side, or until hot and bubbly. 
  • Add the shallot and garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Pour in the wine and add the thyme sprigs.
  • Season the salmon with salt and pepper and place in the pan.
  • Cover with a cartouche (parchment paper cut into a circle the size of your pan with a small hole cut into the center to vent).
  • Bake 6-8 minutes or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  • Serve with pan sauce and fresh thyme leaves.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • For the best flavor, use the highest quality salmon that you can find.
  • To make the recipe alcohol-free, you can use water in place of the white wine.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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Filed Under: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dish, Recipes, Seafood

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Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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