Skip the oven and poach salmon on the stove with aromatics for a result that is "so moist and juicy" and nearly impossible to overcook. According to two popular online cooks, this one-pan method takes under 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight meals.
The Poaching Method Explained
Adam and Joanne, enthusiastic home cooks who share recipes on TikTok to more than 200,000 followers, recommend poaching over pan-frying, air frying, or oven-baking. While all three traditional methods can deliver excellent results, the fish is more susceptible to overcooking when prepared that way.
In a video posted in 2024, Joanne demonstrated the technique, saying: "Here's one of our favourite ways to cook salmon. If you've ever had problems with overcooking salmon or having it turn out dry, poaching is your answer."
How to Poach Salmon in a Pan
Begin by creating a layer of lemon, shallot, and fennel slices in a lidded pan for the salmon to rest upon. The fruit and vegetables beneath the salmon help to steam the fish during cooking while releasing a wealth of delicious flavour.
Place the salmon fillets — Joanne uses four to five in her recipe — on top of the aromatics in the pan, before seasoning with salt and pepper. She also suggests adding some fresh dill. Joanne further advises using skin-on fillets, as they are considerably easier to remove once cooked and serve as a protective barrier against the heat from beneath.
The cook added: "To poach the salmon, we need liquid. We like the citrusy aromas that wine adds and find the combination of white wine and water to be perfect."
Cooking Time and Tips
Bring the liquid to a simmer, cover with the lid, and turn to low. Gently cook until the thickest part of the salmon flakes when pierced with a fork. Cooking time should be approximately five to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon fillets.
Chicken and prawns are two additional proteins that can be poached. Notably, many restaurants favour poaching chicken as it produces wonderfully tender results.
