This Instant Pot Salmon with Trader Joe’s Rub is a quick and easy recipe, which is made with tender salmon fillets and a sweet and smoky seasoning rub. It’s the perfect healthy weeknight dinner, ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Jump to RecipeInstant Pot Salmon Ingredients
A super-simple list for a flavorful and fast meal.
- 4 (5-to 6-ounce) skin-on center-cut salmon fillets, fresh or frozen
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Trader Joe’s Salmon Rub Seasoning Blend
- 1 cup water (or 1 1/2 cups for an 8-quart Instant Pot)
- 4 thin lemon slices (optional)
How To Make Instant Pot Salmon with Trader Joe’s Rub
A step-by-step guide to this incredibly fast and foolproof method.
- Prep the Instant Pot: Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot. Place the metal trivet inside.
- Season the Salmon: Pat the salmon fillets dry on all sides. Sprinkle the Trader Joe’s Salmon Rub generously over the flesh side of each fillet.
- Pressure Cook: Arrange the seasoned salmon fillets in a single layer, skin-side down, on top of the trivet. Lay a lemon slice on top of each fillet, if using. Secure the lid, set the pressure valve to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 1 minute for fresh fillets or 4 minutes for frozen fillets.
- Release and Serve: Once the cook time is up, immediately turn the valve to “Venting” to perform a quick release of the pressure. When the pin drops, carefully open the lid. Check the salmon for doneness (it should be flaky and opaque). Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
For perfect, tender, and flaky salmon every time.
- How to prevent the salmon from overcooking? The Instant Pot cooks salmon incredibly fast. It’s crucial to use the quick release method as soon as the timer goes off. Letting the pressure release naturally will continue to cook the salmon and can make it dry.
- Do I have to thaw the salmon first? No, and that’s the magic of this recipe! You can cook the salmon fillets directly from frozen. Just increase the cooking time as directed in the recipe for a perfect result.
- What is in the Trader Joe’s Salmon Rub? It’s a popular sweet and smoky seasoning blend. The main ingredients are brown sugar, smoked paprika, and thyme, which creates a delicious, caramelized glaze on the salmon as it cooks.
- Can I make this without an Instant Pot? Yes. You can bake the seasoned salmon on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Salmon
Simple sides to complete this healthy meal.
This quick and flavorful salmon is a fantastic centerpiece for a healthy dinner. It pairs beautifully with:
- Fluffy quinoa or steamed jasmine rice
- Roasted or steamed asparagus or broccoli
- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette
- A side of roasted potatoes
How To Store Instant Pot Salmon
Keeping your delicious leftovers fresh.
- Refrigerate: Once completely cooled, store any leftover salmon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- How to use leftovers: Leftover salmon is delicious flaked into a salad, mixed into a pasta dish, or used to make salmon cakes. It’s best enjoyed cold, as reheating can dry it out.
Instant Pot Salmon Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per fillet.
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Fat: 16 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
If you don’t have the Trader Joe’s blend, you can make a quick substitute by mixing 2 tablespoons of brown sugar with 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
The Instant Pot uses a steam-cooking method, which is great for keeping the salmon flesh moist and tender. However, it does not create the dry, high heat needed to make the skin crispy. The skin will be soft but will peel away easily after cooking if you prefer not to eat it.
Yes, this method works well for other firm fish fillets of a similar thickness, such as cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Squiggly Noodles Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Hawaiian Mochi Cake Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Recipe
Instant Pot Salmon with Trader Joe’s Rub Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings5
minutes15
minutes320
kcalA super-fast, easy, and foolproof method for cooking perfectly tender and flaky salmon in the Instant Pot, using the popular sweet and smoky Trader Joe’s Salmon Rub.
Ingredients
4 (5-to 6-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets, fresh or frozen
1-2 tbsp Trader Joe’s Salmon Rub Seasoning Blend
1 cup water
4 thin lemon slices (optional)
Directions
- Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot and place the trivet inside.
- Pat the salmon fillets dry and sprinkle the flesh side generously with the Trader Joe’s Salmon Rub.
- Arrange the salmon fillets in a single layer on the trivet and top with lemon slices, if using.
- Secure the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 1 minute for fresh fillets or 4 minutes for frozen fillets.
- As soon as the timer goes off, perform a quick release of the pressure.
- Carefully open the lid and serve the salmon immediately.
Notes
- A quick pressure release is crucial to prevent the delicate salmon from overcooking.
- This recipe is a game-changer for a healthy weeknight dinner, as you can cook the salmon directly from frozen.
- The Trader Joe’s rub contains sugar, which creates a delicious, slightly caramelized glaze on the fish.
- Don’t be afraid to be generous with the seasoning rub for the most flavor.
