Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Cook: 10 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Sep. 23, 2023
Add salmon, know for its omega-3 fatty acids, to your dinner rotation. This tender poached salmon gets extra flavor from a creamy classic dill sauce. —Patti Sherman, Schenectady, New York
Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup white wine or reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery
  • 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
  • SAUCE:
  • 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons snipped fresh dill
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Dash hot pepper sauce

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, combine the water, wine, onion and celery. Bring to a boil. Adjust heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Add salmon. Cook, uncovered, until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork, 8-12 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients. Serve with salmon.
Poached Salmon Tips

Do you need to cover the salmon while poaching?

If you're considering salmon recipes for dinner, this poached salmon should be at the top of your list. Poaching is a moist, low-heat cooking method used mainly for delicate proteins like fish and chicken. There are two types: shallow poaching and deep poaching. With shallow poaching, the food is not usually totally covered with liquid, so it's helpful to use a lid to create steam which will cook any food that is not submerged, like with this recipe. Deep poaching completely covers the food with liquid and does not need a lid.

How else can you season poached salmon?

Think of the poaching liquid as having three parts: the base, the acid and the aromatics. The base is the main cooking liquid and is usually made up of a combination of broth, stock and/or water. The acidic component includes wine, citrus juice and/or vinegar. The aromatics adds flavor from ingredients like onion, celery, herbs and spices. You can more flavor by changing up any one of those components. For this recipe, you might consider adding a bit of lemon juice and a sprig of thyme. Or, a dash of balsamic vinegar and peppercorns for a bolder flavor.

What do you serve with poached salmon?

There are many side dishes that pair well with salmon. This poached salmon includes dill sauce, which has a vibrant springtime flavor that complements mellow-flavored sides. Consider sides like rice pilaf, roasted asparagus, lemony new potatoes or herbed peas.

How long will leftover poach salmon last?

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days. Reheat poached salmon in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 fillet with 2 tablespoons sauce: 291 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat.