Easy Ina Garten Poached Salmon Recipe: Perfect Every Time

Poached salmon represents a delicate culinary technique that transforms ordinary fish into an extraordinary dining experience.

Sophisticated home cooks appreciate this method for its gentle cooking process that preserves the fish’s tender texture and natural flavors.

Delicate white wine and fragrant herbs infuse subtle nuances into each silky morsel of seafood.

Salt plays a crucial role in enhancing the salmon inherent richness while preventing blandness during preparation.

Careful temperature control ensures the fish remains moist and flakes beautifully without becoming tough or rubbery.

Professional chefs and passionate home cooks rely on poaching as a healthier alternative to frying or grilling.

Fresh ingredients and precise technique make this method a reliable way to create restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen: dive into this elegant cooking approach.

How to Make Ina Garten’s Poached Salmon

Step 1: Prepare Salmon Fillets

Remove salmon from refrigerator and gently season each fillet with kosher salt, ensuring even coverage. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to promote even cooking.

Step 2: Create Poaching Liquid

• Water
• White wine
• 3-4 fresh dill sprigs
• 2-3 garlic slices

This aromatic liquid will infuse the salmon with delicate flavors.

Step 3: Heat Poaching Liquid

Place pan on stovetop over medium heat. Watch for gentle simmering with small bubbles forming around the edges, indicating the perfect poaching temperature (about 160-170°F).

Step 4: Gently Add Salmon

Carefully slide salmon fillets into the simmering liquid, positioning skin-side down. Top each fillet with a fresh lemon slice for extra brightness.

Step 5: Cook to Perfection

Cover pan with a tight-fitting lid. Poach salmon for 5-10 minutes, depending on fillet thickness. Salmon is ready when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 6: Prepare Creamy Dill Sauce

• Greek yogurt
• Lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chopped fresh dill
• Grated garlic clove

Step 7: Plate and Serve

Transfer poached salmon to serving plates. Remove lemon slices. Drizzle generously with creamy dill sauce or serve sauce alongside for individual dipping.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Poached Salmon

• Elevate Herb Complexity: Mix unexpected herb combinations like tarragon or thyme with classic dill to create surprising depth in salmon's delicate flavor.
• Master Gentle Removal: Slide a thin, flexible fish spatula underneath salmon fillets with minimal pressure to preserve their tender structure during transfer.
• Verify Perfect Cooking: Use fork's gentle pressure at salmon's thickest section – when flakes separate smoothly without resistance, your fish has reached ideal doneness.
• Brighten Citrus Profiles: Introduce unexpected citrus varieties like blood orange or mandarin alongside traditional lemon to transform poaching liquid's aromatic complexity.
• Prevent Moisture Loss: Cover poaching pan with tight-fitting lid during cooking to trap steam, ensuring salmon remains succulent and preventing potential dryness.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Poached Salmon

• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve the salmon's pristine texture and flavor by using a vacuum sealer. Wrap each fillet individually in food-grade plastic, removing all air pockets to prevent freezer burn and maintain moisture. This method extends shelf life up to 3 months while keeping the fish's delicate taste intact.
• Glass Container Method: Store the poached salmon in a glass container with an airtight, snap-lock lid. Press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the fish's surface before closing the lid, creating a barrier against oxidation. Refrigerate and consume within 48 hours for optimal freshness and taste.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Enjoy the poached salmon within 24 hours for the most vibrant flavor and tender texture. Slice portions you plan to eat soon and keep them in the coldest part of the refrigerator, away from strong-smelling foods.

Delicious Variations on Ina Garten’s Poached Salmon

• Herb-Infused Salmon Adventure: Replace dill with fresh tarragon or basil for a vibrant, aromatic Mediterranean-inspired poaching liquid that transforms the fish's flavor profile.
• Spicy Coastal Remix: Add red pepper flakes and smoked paprika to the poaching liquid, creating a warm, slightly smoky undertone that complements the salmon's natural richness.
• Asian-Inspired Ocean Fusion: Swap white wine with sake, incorporate ginger slices and green onions into the poaching liquid, and create a soy-sesame yogurt sauce instead of the traditional dill version for an exciting culinary journey.
• Citrus Ocean Elevation: Use a combination of orange and lime juice in the poaching liquid, adding orange zest to the yogurt sauce for a bright, refreshing Mediterranean-style preparation that highlights the salmon's delicate texture.

Ina Garten’s Poached Salmon: A Simple, Elegant Dish

Culinary magic unfolds with Ina Garten’s poached salmon, a symphony of delicate flavors dancing on your plate.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques elevate this dish from simple to extraordinary, showcasing salmon’s elegant potential.

Wine-kissed poaching creates tender fillets that melt with each graceful bite.

Greek yogurt sauce adds tangy complexity, complementing the fish’s rich marine essence.

Fresh dill and garlic weave aromatic whispers through each delectable morsel.

Garten’s recipe promises a restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen – one that will spark conversation, inspire kitchen creativity, and leave dinner guests enchanted.

Savor every moment, share this culinary gem, sprinkle comments like delicate herbs, and let passion for cooking ignite your social circles.

Why Ina Garten’s Poached Salmon is Light, Healthy, and Full of Flavor

• Speedy Seafood Delight: Whip up a gourmet salmon dish in just 25 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving a quick yet elegant meal.
• Flavor-Packed Poaching Magic: Infuse salmon with a delicate blend of white wine, dill, and garlic, creating a moist and incredibly tender fish that melts in your mouth.
• Creamy Dill Sauce Sensation: Elevate the dish with a tangy, herb-packed Greek yogurt sauce that adds a bright, refreshing kick to the perfectly cooked salmon, making every bite a culinary adventure.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Poached Salmon

• Salmon Fillets: Fresh, high-quality fish that forms the main protein of the dish. Wild-caught or farm-raised options work well.

• Water, White Wine: Creates a flavorful, gentle cooking environment for the salmon. Dry white wine adds subtle complexity.
• Fresh Dill Sprigs: Infuses delicate herbal flavor into the poaching liquid. Look for bright green, fragrant sprigs.
• Garlic Slices: Provides aromatic depth to the poaching liquid. Fresh garlic cloves deliver the best flavor.

• Greek Yogurt: Creamy base for the sauce that adds tangy richness. Full-fat yogurt provides best texture.
• Lemon: Adds bright, citrusy notes to both the poaching liquid and sauce. Fresh lemons are key for maximum flavor.
• Dijon Mustard: Brings sharp, tangy complexity to the sauce. Smooth variety works best.
• Olive Oil: Adds smooth richness and helps blend the sauce. Extra virgin olive oil provides best flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste. Kosher salt recommended for even seasoning.

Ina Garten Poached Salmon Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s poached salmon brings elegant simplicity to seafood preparation with delicate Mediterranean flavors. Delightful herbs and white wine create a gentle, aromatic poaching liquid that elevates salmon to a sophisticated meal you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) fresh salmon, cut into 4 fillets
• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 4 dill sprigs
• 4 lemon slices

Liquid Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) water
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) dry white wine (e.g., Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or non-oaky Chardonnay)

Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) minced fresh dill
• ½ cup (120 grams) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoon (7.5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, grated on a microplane
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) kosher salt
• ⅛ teaspoon (0.6 grams) kosher salt
• ⅛ teaspoon (0.3 grams) ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the salmon fillets by removing them from the refrigerator and gently seasoning each with kosher salt, ensuring an even coating.
2. Select a large, high-sided pan and pour in water and white wine. Scatter fresh dill sprigs and thinly sliced garlic into the liquid, creating an aromatic poaching base.
3. Position the pan on the stovetop over medium heat, allowing the liquid to reach a gentle simmer with small bubbles forming around the edges.
4. Delicately place the salmon fillets into the simmering liquid, positioning them skin-side down. Crown each fillet with a vibrant lemon slice for added flavor infusion.
5. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, allowing the salmon to poach for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The fish is perfectly cooked when it becomes opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
6. Carefully remove the lemon slices and transfer the poached salmon to serving plates, preparing for the accompanying sauce.
7. In a mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well incorporated.
8. Finely chop approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh dill and grate one garlic clove directly into the yogurt mixture.
9. Thoroughly blend the ingredients until the sauce achieves a smooth, creamy consistency with evenly distributed herbs and garlic.
10. Artfully drizzle the herbaceous dill sauce over the poached salmon or present it alongside the fish as a complementary dipping sauce.

Notes

• Poach salmon gently in a fragrant liquid of white wine and water to ensure incredibly moist, tender results.
• Dill sprigs elevate the fish’s natural richness with their bright, herbaceous essence during cooking.
• Fresh lemon slices prevent blandness and introduce a zesty complement to the delicate salmon flavor.
• Time your cooking carefully, watching for that perfect moment of tenderness based on fillet thickness.
• Craft a creamy sauce by whisking Greek yogurt with Dijon mustard, grated garlic, and finely chopped dill for a light, tangy finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Poaching
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg