Instant Pot Frozen Salmon with Lemon - A 15 Minute Meal!

Name: Instant Pot Frozen Salmon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon avocado oil; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; 1 pound frozen salmon filets; 3/4 cup water; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped parsley

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Salmon cooked from frozen is the ultimate quick and easy dinner. This Instant Pot Frozen Salmon is going to become a go-to weeknight meal. With garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, and lemon juice, flavor-packed meals don’t get any easier. Served with Lemon Dill Sauce, this one deserves to become a habit.

Overhead photo of salmon plated on top of a bed of asparagus on a white plate.

We all know that seafood is a healthy dinner option, but making it at home can be tricky.

I am always suspicious of the freshness of any fresh seafood, unless I know that it is locally sourced.

Given how neurotic I am about food safety, this is why I almost always buy frozen fish. Wild-caught fish is flash-frozen at its peak, so I just feel better about serving it to my family.

The challenge comes in my frequent forgetfulness when it comes to pulling out meat to thaw.

I mean, sure, I could always put it in a bowl of water and wait for time to do its thing. This isn't a great solution when eight hungry eyes are looking at me wanting dinner five minutes ago.

Do you forget to thaw frozen protein too?

If you do, meet your new best friend. Instant Pot Frozen Salmon is an absolute life-saver when it comes to getting dinner on the table fast.

Cooking fish from frozen is the ultimate fast food made healthy.

Ingredients for Making Frozen Salmon in the Instant Pot

Avocado Oil - You can use another oil, but I recommend avocado oil for its neutral flavor and high heat tolerance.
Garlic Powder - Garlic powder is easy to drizzle over the salmon filets; if you prefer, fresh minced garlic also works.
Salt and Pepper - Adjust the seasonings to your preference. I used fine sea salt. If you are using a coarser salt, you may need more. Freshly ground black pepper is always best.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes - This adds a very subtle kick of heat. If you would like more heat, you could use ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Frozen Salmon - I recommend wild-caught. Any kind, such as sockeye salmon or King Salmon work. Just make sure what you use is cut into portions.
Lemon Juice - Fresh squeezed is best, but bottled will work in a pinch.
Parsley - If you don't have fresh, two teaspoons of dried parsley will work.

Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to know that salmon is done?

This fish should flake easily with a fork. The internal temperature using an instant-read thermometer should be at least 145° F.

Does Fish Make Your Instant Pot Smell Bad?

I am very sensitive to the smell of fish, but I did not find this to be a problem. Do wash your pressure cooker - including the inner ring - immediately.

I ran mine through the dishwasher, but you could hand wash as well.

Is Salmon Good for Keto?

With zero carbs, salmon is an excellent option for keto.

Wild-caught salmon is an excellent protein source, with a 4 ounce serving clocking in at about 22 grams. It is also a great source of omega-3's. According to a study from the University of South Australia, omega-3’s may suppress the appetite. They may also encourage the body to burn fat rather than store it.

Omega-3 fatty acids also help to protect the cells from free radicals. Free radicals are believed to cause internal inflammation and lead to chronic disease.

Omega-3 fats are essential fats, meaning our bodies can't make them, and we must get them from our diets. So making salmon a regular part of your diet just makes sense!

What is the Best Type of Salmon to Buy?

Always opt for cold water wild-caught salmon when possible. It is best to avoid farmed salmon. Because of their diet, farm-raised salmon have higher concentrations of pollutants than wild-caught.

Tips and Tricks

General safety guidelines recommend that salmon be cooked to at least 145° F. Some chefs suggest that it tastes better rarer. (America’s Test Kitchen suggests 125° F.) This is entirely a matter of personal preference; feel free to adjust the cooking time according to yours.
To avoid having undercooked parts, try to keep the filets from overlapping as much as possible. (But don't stress a little overlapping.)
Frozen salmon fillets that are roughly the same size and thickness will work best.

How Long to Cook Frozen Salmon in the Instant Pot

Generally speaking, I recommend cooking salmon from frozen for 5 minutes. However, you may need to adjust this.

If you have especially large or thick frozen salmon fillets, increase the cooking time to get to the desired doneness.

Conversely, thinner pieces may need a shorter time.

If you cook less than the amount called for in the recipe, reduce the cooking time by 1 to 2 minutes.

What Can I Do if My Fish Is Undercooked?

If your salmon is undercooked after releasing the pressure, return the lid to the pot and let it continue to steam. The pot will be hot enough that the fish will continue to steam.

Variations

For a fun twist, you can top the fish with Keto Pesto or Keto BBQ Sauce prior to cooking. Make sure you use just enough to coat the top only, because any dripping down could lead to the burn signal. You can also add the sauces after cooking.

Tools Needed to Make Instant Pot Salmon Frozen

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What Do You Serve with Pressure Cooker Salmon?

Sauces for Instant Pot Frozen Salmon

I recommend adding a sauce to your salmon for a fuller flavored meal. Here are some suggestions.

How to Make Instant Pot Frozen Salmon

Cooking frozen salmon couldn't be easier!

First, start by combining the oil, garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, and ground pepper in a small bowl.

Photo of a plate of salmon that has been drizzled with oil and seasonings.

Next, drizzle or brush over the salmon.

Combine the water, lemon juice, and parsley in the bottom of your pressure cooker, and then add the trivet.

Water, lemon juice, and parsley in the bottom of an instant pot with a trivet in it.

After that, place the salmon fillets in the instant pot, skin side down. If you like, you can top with lemon slices.

Frozen salmon in an instant pot ready to be cooked.

Next, close the lid and seal. Pressure cook for five minutes. If your salmon is particularly thick or the pieces are large, you may need to add an extra minute.

Finally, do a quick pressure release when the time is up. Top with your favorite sauce and enjoy!

Plate of cooked Instant pot frozen salmon drizzled with lemon dill sauce on a white plate.

More Keto Instant Pot Recipes to Try

If you like Jalapeno Poppers, you will love this Instant Pot Jalapeno Popper Chicken.
If you are craving comfort food, it doesn't get any better than this Keto Mushroom Soup.
Want to improve the taste of your meals? This Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth is easy to make and tastes great. It is also a fabulous way to save money.

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