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    Home » Dinner

    Easy Steamed Salmon with Fresh Herbs and Lemon

    Published: May 25, 2023 · Modified: Jul 20, 2023 by Kristin · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

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    A piece of salmon with a fork cutting it and fresh lemon slices.
    A piece of salmon with a fork cutting it and fresh lemon slices.
    A piece of salmon with a fork cutting it and fresh lemon slices.

    This steamed salmon recipe is foolproof, comes out perfect every time, uses fresh ingredients and has tons of flavor. It will be your new favorite way to cook salmon! Afraid of drying your salmon out? No worries! This method gives you perfect fall apart salmon every time AND it's ready in less than 30 minutes!

    a fork cutting into a fresh salmon filet made with lemon and herb and onions.

    Living in the Pacific Northwest my entire life means I am no stranger to a fresh filet of salmon. I have cooked it so many different ways and am convinced this is the best and only way to do it.

    Grilling, baking, roasting and I even make our own smoked salmon. Tried them all. Even over a campfire. One thing that stands true is that salmon is very easy to dry out.

    Not with this method though. The salmon is cooked perfect every time with out sacrificing the moisture.

    The filets just fall apart when you take it out of the parchment paper.

    Serve it with a lemon dill sauce, roasted asparagus, or some Dutch Oven potatoes.

    While this method is my favorite, we do enjoy different salmon recipes from time to time. Check out my other salmon recipes Baked Pesto Salmon, and Garlic Herb Butter Salmon, and Smoked Salmon.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪How to Make
    • 💭How To Tell Salmon is Cooked
    • 🥗Ways to Serve
    • 🍽Equipment Notes
    • ❓Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🐟Other Seafood Recipes:
    • 📋Recipe

    🥘 Ingredients

    Fresh salmon, lemon, dill, parsley, onion, garlic sea salt and olive oil.

    Salmon: This recipe calls for a 1-1.5 pound salmon. Make sure to remove all pin bones. I like to use a pin bone puller. Makes the job so much easier.

    Fresh Herbs: There really is no substitute here. Make sure to use fresh parsley and dill.

    Yellow Onion: Not only does the salmon cook perfect but the onions also turn out so tender and full of flavor. Cut the onions in long slices, not diced.

    Lemon: Cut the lemon in half and use the juice from one half in the olive oil and herb mix. With the other half, cut thin slices to cook with the fish. 

    See full information on ingredients and quantities in the recipe card.

    🔪How to Make

    Start off by sprinkling the salt evenly over the salmon filet. Then, cut into 2" pieces.

    Next, cut two pieces of parchment paper about 2' long. The idea is to create a packet so it should be long enough to fold over and completely enclose the fish.

    A while prep bowl with a olive oil and herb mix.

    Step #1: In a small prep bowl add the olive oil, chopped herbs, lemon juice and garlic.

    Using a large pan (with a lid) or braiser lay out the parchment paper in a cross pattern.

    Chunks of salmon with herbs and olive oil.

    Step #2: Create a cross with the parchment paper, laying one 2' piece on top of the other. One laying side to side and one going top to bottom.

    Then, place the fish in a single layer.

    Evenly spread on the olive oil mix over the pieces of fish.

    Parchment paper with salmon, onions and lemons slices.

    Step #3: Now layer on the onions and lemon slices.

    A bundle of parchment paper.

    Step #4: Fold the parchment over and create a packet so no steam can escape.

    Pro Tip: Once the parchment packet is all enclosed, place the lid on your pot, Dutch Oven or brasier. Turn the heat on to medium-high. Leave it there for 5 minutes.

    Then, without opening the lid, lower the temp to medium heat and cook for another 8-12 minutes.

    For thinner filets remove the lid around the 8 minute mark. If it is on the thicker side, go 12 minutes.

    It's really important that you do not remove the lid until the time is up! I have been making salmon this way for years and I still worry it won't work. But to my surprise, it does every single time. You have to trust the process.

    After the time is up, remove the lid and carefully unwrap the parchment to check the salmon.

    Parchment paper with steamed salmon and sliced lemons.

    💭How To Tell Salmon is Cooked

    Using an instant read thermometer, temp the salmon. It's done when the internal temp is 145 degrees at the thickest part.

    You can also tell it's done by gently pressing a fork into it, if the fish starts to flake apart, it's fully cooked.

    If your salmon is still a darker pink and not quite cooked, that's okay! Just fold the paper back up, place the lid on and cook for a few more minutes.

    🥗Ways to Serve

    This fish can be enjoyed on it's own or served with roasted veggies, potatoes, or a lemon dill sauce. Here are some other things to serve with this salmon:

    • Lemon Garlic Aioli
    • Lemon Dill Sauce
    • Cilantro Lime Rice
    • Coconut Rice
    • Roasted Asparagus
    • Dutch Oven Potatoes
    • Mango Pineapple Salsa

    🍽Equipment Notes

    Dutch oven, braiser or large pan with a lid: Make sure to use a large, heavy bottom pot like a braiser or a dutch oven. The pan needs to be efficient at holding in the temp and these three are going to be the best option. For me, a braiser works the best.

    Parchment Paper: To make a packet for the fish to cook inside of. The parchment will trap in the steam created by the olive oil, lemon and juices from the fish.

    ❓Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you steam salmon?

    Yes! In fact, steamed salmon is a great way to infuse tons of fresh flavors and keeps the filet from drying out. There are lots of different ways to steam salmon.

    How do you know when salmon is done steaming?

    There are two ways to tell that salmon is done steaming. First one is gently press a fork on top of the salmon, if it easily falls apart, and is flaky, it's done. An instant read thermometer can also be inserted at the thickest part and needs to read at 145 degrees to be done.

    What is the best way to cook salmon to keep it moist?

    Steamed. Create a packet with parchment paper and steam the salmon in a heavy bottom pot or pan to keep salmon tender and moist.

    🐟Other Seafood Recipes:

    • A small cast iron pan with a clam dip, panko top and some fresh herbs.
      Baked Clam Dip
    • A baking dish with a cheesy crab dip with fresh crab and chives on top.
      Hot Crab Dip
    • A small bowl full of risotto topped with fresh crab meat.
      Crab Risotto
    • A bowl with fresh smoked salmon dip topped with chives and crackers topped with more dip.
      Easy Smoked Salmon Dip

    Did you make it? If you loved this recipe or any others on Dirt & Dough, please leave a 5-🌟 in the recipe card below. Let me know how it went by leaving a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you!

    *Let's Connect! Follow along on Instagram, Pinterest or subscribe to receive emails!

    This recipe is adapted from What's Gaby Cooking.

    📋Recipe

    A filet of salmon being cut with a fork and fresh lemon slices.

    Steamed Salmon with Fresh Herbs and Lemon

    Author: Kristin
    This steamed salmon recipe is foolproof, comes out perfect every time, uses fresh ingredients and has tons of flavor. It will be your new favorite way to cook salmon! Afraid of drying your salmon out? No worries! This method gives you perfect fall apart salmon every time. 
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 17 minutes mins
    Total Time 27 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 People
    Calories 239 kcal

    Equipment

    • Braiser Can also use a Dutch Oven or other large skillet that has a lid.
    • Parchment Paper

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound Salmon Filet - Cut into 2" chunks
    • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
    • 1 Yellow Onion - Sliced into rings or half moon slices
    • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
    • 3-4 Garlic Cloves - Minced or pressed
    • 1 Lemon - Divided, see notes
    • 2 tablespoons Fresh dill - Chopped
    • ¼ Cup Fresh Parsley Leaves - Chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Start off by sprinkling the salt evenly over the salmon filet. Then, cut into 2" pieces. 
    • Next, cut two pieces of parchment paper about 2' long. The idea is to create a packet so it should be long enough to fold over and completely enclose the fish.
    • In a small prep bowl add the olive oil, chopped herbs, lemon juice and garlic. 
    • Using a large pan (with a lid) or braiser lay out the parchment paper in a cross pattern. 
    • Create a cross with the parchment paper, laying one 2' piece on top of the other. One laying side to side and one going top to bottom. 
    • Then, place the fish in a single layer. Evenly spread on the olive oil herb mix over the pieces of fish. 
    • Now layer on the onions and lemon slices. 
    • Fold the parchment over and create a packet so no steam can escape. 
    • Here is the important part. Once the parchment packet is all enclosed, place the lid on your pot, Dutch Oven or brasier. Turn the heat on to medium-high. Leave it there for 5 minutes. 
      Then, without opening the lid, lower the temp to medium heat and cook for another 8-12 minutes. 
      For thinner filets remove the lid around the 8 minute mark. If it is on the thicker side, go 12 minutes. 
      It's really important that you do not remove the lid until the time is up! I have been making salmon this way for years and I still worry it won't work. But to my surprise, it does every single time. You have to trust the process. 
    • After the time is up, remove the lid and carefully unwrap the parchment to check the salmon. 
    • The salmon is done with the internal temp reaches 145 degrees in the thickest part of the cut or if it is flaky and falls apart easily. If the salmon is not done fold the packet back up, place the lid on and cook for a few more minutes.

    Notes

    Ingredient Notes: 
    Cooking Instructions: Once the lid is placed on the pot do not remove it until the time is up! It will be tempting to check but opening the lid will allow all that stem to escape.
    Lemon: Cut the lemon in half and use the juice from one half in the olive oil and herb mix. With the other half, cut into thin slices to cook with the fish. 
    Salmon: This recipe calls for a 1-1.5 pound salmon. Make sure to remove all pin bones. I like to use a pin bone puller. Makes the job so much easier.
    Fresh Herbs: There really is no substitute here. Make sure to use fresh parsley and dill.
    Yellow Onion: Not only does the salmon cook perfect but the onions also turn out so tender and full of flavor. Cut the onions in long slices, not diced.
    Equipment Notes:
    Dutch oven, braiser or large pan: Make sure to use a large, heavy bottom pot like a braiser or a dutch oven. The pan needs to be efficient at holding in the temp and these three are going to be the best option. For me, a braiser works the best.
    Parchment Paper: To make a packet for the fish to cook inside of. The parchment will trap in the steam created by the olive oil, lemon and juices from the fish.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 239kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 23gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 344mgPotassium: 627mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 377IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
    Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below.

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