Instant Pot Sockeye Salmon with Lemon Dill

The Instant Pot's steam function delivers incredibly moist, perfectly flaked wild sockeye salmon without any risk of overcooking. With bright lemon, fresh dill, and garlic infusing the fish as it steams, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Total active time is under 5 minutes, making it ideal for Whole30 and Paleo meal prep.

Ingredients

• 4 wild sockeye salmon portions (5-6 oz each), fresh or frozen
• 1 cup water
• 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
• 4 sprigs fresh dill (plus more for garnish)
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the pot: Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot liner. Place the trivet (steam rack) inside with handles up for easy removal.
2. Layer aromatics: Arrange lemon slices and smashed garlic on top of the trivet. Place dill sprigs over the lemon layer to create an aromatic bed for the salmon.
3. Season and place salmon: Drizzle salmon portions with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them on top of the aromatics on the trivet, skin-side down.
4. Pressure cook: Lock the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Press Steam or Pressure Cook on Low for 3 minutes (fresh) or 5 minutes (frozen). The pot will take about 5-8 minutes to come to pressure before cooking begins.
5. Quick release: When the cook time finishes, immediately do a Quick Release by turning the valve to Venting. This prevents overcooking the delicate fish.
6. Check doneness: Carefully open the lid away from you. The salmon should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Internal temperature should be 125-145°F.
7. Serve: Use the trivet handles to lift out the salmon. Plate with fresh dill, a squeeze of lemon, and your choice of sides.