How to Microwave Salmon

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salmon in a microwave bag

For this tutorial, you will find out how to microwave salmon using steam bags.

Discover the secret to perfectly cooked salmon in just minutes with this simple microwave steam bag method. Say goodbye to dry, overcooked fish and hello to tender, flavorful salmon that's ready in a flash!

You simply add the salmon, seasonings of your choice, dash of wine or lemon juice, a pat of butter and away you go. 

Experiment with different seasonings to create your own signature salmon dish. Try a classic lemon-dill combination, or spice things up with a sprinkle of smoked paprika and a drizzle of honey for a sweet and smoky flavor

Make sure your sides are ready as the fish will take around 2 to 3 minutes!



Take 2 fillets of fresh salmon.

These weigh around 5 oz, 130 grams each.

It's plenty big enough for one portion.

A knob of herb butter on each either before or after cooking is all you need, but you could follow the instructions below.

salmon fillets in a microvave bag

These are the steam bags I like to use.

They are quite chunky and have a ziplok top

You could use other food bags, but make sure you read the labels and see that they are OK to use in the microwave. 

microwave steam bags

On the back of these bags, is a little chart giving you examples of cooking times.

As you can see, a portion of fish this size takes 2 minutes from fresh and 4 from frozen.

I am cooking 2 fillets and I am going to give them 3 minutes total.

chart on back of microwave steam bag

Put your salmon into the bag.

In a bowl, combine

2 Tablespoons of lemon or lime juice or white wine with some fresh ground black pepper and a Teaspoon of dried dill and/or dried parsley.

Pour this into the bag and give it a shake so the salmon is coated in it.

salmon in microwave steam bag

You will see on the bag that there is a 'this side up' instruction - follow the advice!

Put on a microwaveable plate and cook on high for 3 minutes.

Leave to stand for 1 minute - be really careful as you open it as there will be steam.

microwaved salmon

The bag will inflate and may 'sing' during cooking - this is perfectly normal, so don't worry.

The instructions do say 4 minutes for 2 fillets, but I find they dry out and if you leave them in the bag for 1 minute, then they continue to cook, so give them 3 minutes. It's always better to undercook something in the first instance as you can always give it a little more time, but if you overcook it, then you might have spoiled it. 

One of the keys to perfectly cooked salmon is to avoid overcooking. The fish should be opaque and easily flake with a fork when done. If you're unsure, start with a shorter cooking time and check the salmon's progress. You can always add an extra 30 seconds if needed, but you can't undo overcooked, dry salmon.

This is time for you to get your sides plated up ready to add the juicy salmon straight from the microwave bag.

Pair your perfectly microwaved salmon with a colorful array of steamed vegetables, such as asparagus or mixed greens, for a healthy and balanced meal. Or, serve it over a bed of fluffy quinoa or alongside a fresh salad for a light and refreshing lunch option.

Cook's Notes

Salmon has a reputation for being a 'healthy' fish. It is in the oily category and it's recommended to have one or two portions of oily fish per week.  It's high in protein, vitamins and minerals and low in fat. It's a good option for people who don't eat meat as it has a firm texture, giving a good mouth feel when eaten. If you have guests who are pescatarians, then they will be very happy with a salmon fillet. 

Microwaving salmon in a bag means that you could easily cater for one or two non meat eaters at a larger gathering without having to worry too much about timings. You could have all your sides and meats ready to go, and just steam a fillet or two of salmon in a microwave bag, in the last five minutes - or even do it a little earlier and let the fish stay warm in their bags, slipping them onto the plate at the last minute. 

The fish smells tend to stay contained in the steam bags, you can wrap them up quickly in paper or in another bag and get them in the trash straight away. 

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How to Microwave Salmon





By , Mar 21, 2024



How to Microwave Salmon



Get all the taste with less mess - how to microwave salmon.





Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Yield: 2 or more

Main Ingredient: salmon