Instant Pot Salmon: Quick and Easy Dinner Recipe

Instant Pot salmon is a flavorful and nutritious meal ready in under 15 minutes. This recipe uses simple ingredients like fresh salmon fillets, lemon, dill, and garlic for a dish that is both easy and quick to prepare.

The salmon cooks gently in foil packets on top of a layer of rice. This results in perfectly tender and flaky fish served alongside delicious, fluffy rice.

Using the Instant Pot makes preparation and cleanup simple. By layering lemon slices and fresh herbs with the salmon, every bite is packed with fresh flavor.

Proper measuring and careful timing help ensure the rice cooks evenly and the salmon does not become rubbery.

What Goes Well With Salmon?

Salmon is a flavorful fish that pairs well with many sides and toppings. Because it is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it makes a healthy main dish that goes well with light or hearty options.

Vegetables offer a fresh, colorful addition to salmon. Steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are easy to prepare.

They can be cooked while the salmon and rice are in the Instant Pot, so everything is ready at once. Serve these veggies hot with a bit of butter, a squeeze of lemon, or a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.

Some classic starchy sides served with salmon include rice, red potatoes, baked potatoes, and pasta. Rice is often cooked at the same time as salmon for convenience, but any simple rice blend works well.

If rice is skipped, try red potatoes or baked russet potatoes for something different. Baking potatoes until they are soft makes a hearty side, especially when served with sour cream.

For a lighter option, buttered pasta such as penne topped with grated parmesan cheese also fits well.

A table can help show popular sides and toppings:

Side or Topping	Description
Steamed Broccoli	Quick to cook, mild taste, adds color
Green Beans	Crunchy, bright, pairs with lemon or butter
Asparagus	Tender, drizzled with olive oil and lemon
Rice	Cooks with salmon, mild flavor
Red Potatoes	Boiled or baked, soft, earthy taste
Baked Potato	Hearty, can add sour cream or butter
Penne Pasta	Mild butter and parmesan, not too heavy
Lemon Slices	Fresh taste, brings out salmon’s flavor
Fresh Dill	Mild, herby, blends with fish and butter

These options complement salmon whether it is baked with lemon and dill, covered in a light butter sauce, or served simply.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that combine for a flavorful meal.

Ingredient	Amount
Salmon fillets	1 pound
Lemons (sliced)	2
Butter (melted)	3 tablespoons
Fresh dill or dried dill	2 sprigs or 1 teaspoon
Salt	1/2 teaspoon
Garlic (minced)	2 large cloves
Pepper	1/4 teaspoon
Uncooked rice blend	6 ounces

Other helpful ingredients include water for cooking the rice. For extra flavor, additional butter or lemon slices can be added.

Instructions

Prepare the salmon by placing it on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spray the foil lightly with non-stick cooking spray, then arrange about 5-6 slices of lemon in a row and put sprigs of dill on top.

Set the salmon fillet on the lemon and dill, then brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.

Add more lemon slices and dill if desired. Fold the foil over and seal all edges to keep in the steam.

For the rice, add 1½ cups of water to the bottom of the pressure cooker and pour in the uncooked rice blend. Stir well.

Place a trivet inside the pot and set the foil-wrapped salmon on top.

Seal the Instant Pot. Set to pressure cook for 5 minutes.

When the timer ends, let it do a natural pressure release for 5 minutes before turning the valve for a quick release of any remaining pressure.

Cautiously remove the foil packet and serve. This method keeps the fish moist and results in flaky salmon and fluffy, well-cooked (rinsed) rice.

Step	Details
Prep	Foil, lemon, dill, and seasoning for salmon
Rice	Add rinsed rice and water, set trivet
Pressure cook	5 mins on high, then 5 mins natural release
Quick release	Release remaining pressure and serve

Recipe Notes and Helpful Tips

Careful measuring is key for this recipe, especially when it comes to the amount of water for the rice. Too much or too little water can cause the rice to be undercooked or mushy.

For added flavor, consider layering small pats of butter at the bottom of the foil packet and on top of the salmon for a buttery taste. Don’t let the salmon sit in the Instant Pot after cooking, as overcooking will make it rubbery.

For meal prep, store leftovers in airtight containers and use within three days to maintain freshness.

Ingredient	Amount
Salmon fillets	1 pound
Lemons	2, sliced
Butter (melted)	3 tbsp
Fresh dill	2 sprigs
Salt	1/2 tsp
Garlic (minced)	2 cloves
Pepper	1/4 tsp
Rice blend	6 oz package

Help! My Rice Didn’t Cook Right

Cooking rice in a pressure cooker can be frustrating when it doesn’t turn out as expected. Problems like watery, mushy, or dry rice are common, but most are easy to fix if you know what to look for.

Here are some of the most frequent issues and how to troubleshoot them:

Problem	Likely Cause	What to Do
Watery Rice	Not cooked long enough	Pressure cook for 2 more minutes, then check consistency.
Mushy Rice	Too much water	Either start over or try baking at 350°F for 5-10 mins or pan-frying.
Dry or Crunchy Rice	Not enough water or overcooked	Add 1/4 cup water, stir, and cook under pressure for 2 more mins.

Take care when measuring water and rice before starting the recipe. The correct ratio is very important to achieve light, fluffy rice.

For this recipe, add 1½ cups of water to the Instant Pot for a 6-ounce package of rice blend and stir well.

If you notice your rice is undercooked and still hard, it may only need a bit more time and water in the pressure cooker.

If the rice is burnt, it can’t really be saved.

Better results come with practice and attention to details like sealing the foil around the salmon tightly. Layer the lemons and dill as described for best flavor.

Check the rice after the resting time and try the solutions above as needed.

Storage and Reheating

Leftover salmon should be stored in the refrigerator as soon as possible. Place the fish in an airtight container, wrapped tightly to lock in moisture.

It’s best to eat leftover salmon within 2 days, as the flavors will become stronger the longer it sits.

If salmon sits out for more than 2 hours, it should be discarded to avoid any risk from bacteria.

For longer storage, freeze individual salmon fillets. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap or parchment paper, and place in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.

Frozen salmon can be kept for up to 3 months. Proper storage helps preserve the taste of ingredients like butter, lemon, and dill used in the original recipe.

There are several ways to use and reheat salmon and rice leftovers:

• Serve cold: Enjoy salmon straight from the fridge, or flake it onto a salad for extra protein.
• Make sandwiches: Mash chilled salmon with mayonnaise, a pinch of salt and pepper, and extra dill. Serve this mix on toast for a quick meal.
• Reheat in the oven: Place salmon in foil and warm at 275°F (135°C) for 15–20 minutes until heated through.

Once reheated, discard any remaining salmon rather than storing it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Cook The Salmon from Frozen in the Instant Pot?

Frozen salmon fillets can easily be cooked in the Instant Pot without thawing. Simply place lemon slices and dill on a sheet of foil, set the salmon fillets on top, brush with melted butter, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic.

Wrap the salmon and place it on a trivet over uncooked rice in the Instant Pot with 1½ cups of water below.

Set the cook time to 5 minutes at high pressure, then leave for another 5 minutes before releasing the pressure. If the fish is not done, remove the rice, add 1 cup water, and cook the salmon for 2 more minutes.

Use the tips below for better results:

• Measure water carefully for proper rice texture.
• Avoid overcooking to prevent rubbery salmon.
• Add extra butter for richer flavor.

How long does it take to cook salmon and rice together in an Instant Pot?

Cooking salmon and rice together in an Instant Pot usually takes about 5 minutes on high pressure.

After the timer goes off, it is recommended to let the pot naturally release for an additional 5 minutes before opening.

What liquid ratios are needed for cooking rice with salmon in an Instant Pot?

For a rice blend, use 1½ cups of water for every 6 ounces of uncooked rice.

Measuring the water carefully is important for getting the right texture.

Rice (uncooked)	Water Needed
6 oz (about 1 cup)	1½ cups

Can you cook frozen salmon and rice simultaneously in an Instant Pot, and if so, how?

Yes, both frozen salmon and rice can be cooked together.

Place the uncooked rice and water in the bottom of the pot, then use foil to wrap the salmon with seasonings and place it on a trivet above the rice.

Increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes if using frozen fish to make sure it is fully cooked.

What are the best settings to use for Instant Pot salmon and brown rice?

When making salmon with brown rice, use the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on high. Brown rice usually takes longer to cook, so set the timer for 15-22 minutes, depending on the thickness of the rice and fish.

Keep in mind that the salmon may become drier with longer cook times. Foil packets and extra butter can help keep it moist.

How can you add vegetables, like broccoli, to Instant Pot salmon and rice dishes?

To cook vegetables like broccoli with salmon and rice, add the rice and water to the bottom. Use a trivet for the salmon in foil.

Place cut broccoli florets on top of the salmon packets or around them. Steaming the broccoli in this way will keep it tender-crisp.

If you prefer very soft vegetables, they can go directly inside the foil with the salmon.

What are some tips for ensuring salmon remains moist when cooked with rice in an Instant Pot?

• Use foil packets for the salmon. Seal the edges well to lock in moisture.
• Add small pats of butter on and under the salmon.
• Remove the salmon from the Instant Pot right after cooking is complete. This prevents overcooking.
• Lemon, dill, and melted butter in the packet help keep the salmon juicy. They also add flavor.
• Avoid overcooking by sticking to the recommended cook and natural release times.