Olive Oil Poached Salmon with Herb Vinaigrette
Introduction
Elevate your next dinner with Olive Oil Poached Salmon with Herb Vinaigrette—a recipe that proves exceptional meals don’t need to be complicated. Gently poaching salmon in olive oil keeps it unbelievably moist and silky, while a zesty herb vinaigrette brightens each bite. This showstopper dish makes for a stunning centerpiece whether you’re entertaining or creating a fresh, healthy weeknight meal.
Why This Olive Oil Poached Salmon Shines
Olive oil poaching is a game changer; not only does it infuse the salmon with flavor, but it also guarantees perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth results every time. Paired with a punchy herb vinaigrette, this dish is vibrant, balanced, and as beautiful as it is delicious. Enjoy restaurant-quality salmon at home—no special equipment needed!
The Secrets to Silky Olive Oil Poached Salmon
The key technique is maintaining a gentle temperature so the salmon cooks slowly and evenly. The result is a tender, luxurious texture you won’t get with traditional roasting or grilling. Choose a fruity, high quality olive oil for poaching—its flavor will shine through in every bite.
Making the Herb Vinaigrette
A lively vinaigrette of fresh herbs, lemon, and a touch more olive oil brings the dish together with color and zing. Use whatever herbs you love best—parsley, dill, chives, and tarragon are all perfect choices. Whisk together just before serving for maximum freshness, or make ahead and keep refrigerated.
How to Serve Olive Oil Poached Salmon with Herb Vinaigrette
This salmon is stunning served warm or at room temperature. Top with spoonfuls of vinaigrette and pair with a crisp salad, roasted vegetables, or fluffy rice for a complete meal. Don’t forget crusty bread to soak up the herb-infused olive oil!
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe serves four. Each serving delivers around 400 to 450 calories, is rich in protein, healthy omega-3s, and fresh herbs—making it a wholesome, feel-good main course.
Olive Oil Poached Salmon (Recap)
Unlock gently cooked, delectable salmon that practically melts on your fork, topped with a vibrant herb dressing. This simple yet elegant recipe is foolproof and sure to impress, whether for a weeknight refresh or a dinner party standout.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to generate an organized shopping list, with all ingredients automatically sorted by aisle—making grocery trips faster, easier, and less stressful!

Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 225°F (if using oven method) or prepare a deep skillet for stovetop poaching.
- Season salmon fillets with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
- Pour olive oil into a baking dish or skillet, ensuring there’s enough to submerge the fillets. Warm the oil gently until it reaches ~120°F-130°F (use a thermometer for accuracy; oil should feel warm, not hot).
- Carefully add salmon fillets to the oil. Poach in the oven or on the stovetop for 20-25 minutes, until just opaque and easily flaked with a fork.
- While the salmon cooks, whisk lemon zest, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, and chopped herbs in a small bowl. Slowly pour in 1/4 cup olive oil, whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Lift salmon from the oil with a slotted spatula and let drain briefly. Arrange fillets on a serving platter.
- Drizzle the herb vinaigrette generously over the warm or room-temperature salmon. Serve immediately.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Olive Oil Poached Salmon stores well and is ideal for prep ahead. Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI to assign it to a specific day in your weekly meal plan. CookifyAI automatically organizes a master shopping list based on all planned meals:
- Combines overlapping ingredients (like olive oil or fresh herbs) from multiple recipes
- Sorts shopping items by section for easier trips
- Helps you stay within budget and avoid forgotten staples
- Avoids duplicate purchases and streamlines your planning process
Pro tip: When booking meals for the week, schedule your recipes to see where you can batch similar steps (like prepping herbs) and cut down kitchen time!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes