LIMITED TIME: Get a FREE cookbooklet with orders $100+!

How to Microwave Salmon

Perfectly cooked salmon made and served in the glass Anyday dish, providing tender and flaky fish fillets. This method ensures evenly cooked salmon, ideal for a quick and healthy main dish with no unpleasant odors.
How to microwave salmon
PT1M PT4M

Prep Time

1 min

Cook Time

4-6 mins
6 reviews

Free Time

to plan a trip to the Pacific Northwest

Need help?

How to Microwave Salmon

6 reviews
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

">

Fish? In the microwave?! Absolutely! Before you write it off, here’s why microwaving salmon is a technique worth trying: it’s quick, easy, and healthy. With no need to add cooking oil, it’s a lighter option for a busy lifestyle. Plus, Chef David Chang swears by microwaved-steamed salmon as one of his go-to meals on hectic weeknights.

Using an Anyday dish, salmon cooks in just 3-5 minutes in the microwave. In comparison, other methods like air-frying or roasting take more than double the time. You can cook fresh fillets or even cook them straight from the freezer — no defrosting needed (just add a bit more cook time). The steam-trapping Anyday lid also keeps any fishy smells contained, so your kitchen stays fresh.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

Recommended Products

The Medium Shallow Dish

Look no further for making poached eggs, desserts, dips, and small portions of meat or fish.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Pairs well with

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

One 4-6oz piece
  • One 4-6oz piece
  • Two 4-6oz pieces
  • Three 4-6oz pieces
  • Four 4-6oz pieces
✕

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w
  • 700w
  • 800w
  • 900w
  • 1000w
  • 1100w
  • 1200w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Shallow Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 4-6 ounce fresh salmon fillet
  • Salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Season salmon with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Place it in one layer in an Anyday Shallow Dish. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  3. Cook in the microwave at Power Level 5
    ✕

    Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels. 

    [[video-power]]

    Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.

    For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

    Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:

    PL 10 = 100% = High (default)

    PL 9 = 90% = High

    PL 8 = 80% = Med-High

    PL 7 = 70% = Med-High

    PL 6 = 60% = Medium

    PL 5 = 50% = Medium

    PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low

    PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low

    PL 2 = 20% = Low

    PL 1 = 10% = Low

    You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.

     for 4-6 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. If the fish needs more cooking time, cook in 30-second increments until the salmon is cooked through to your liking.

Suggestions

  • Lemon and herbs: Squeeze a lemon wedge over the salmon before cooking, then sprinkle the cooked fish with fresh herbs.
  • Mediterranean: Brush the top with pesto before cooking, then garnish with sliced black olives and cherry tomatoes.
  • Smoky bagel filling: Once cool, shred and mix with cream cheese, liquid smoke, chopped chives, and lemon juice. Serve on a bagel.
  • Salmon salad: Shred the cooked salmon and mix with lemon juice, sour cream, chopped chives, salt, and pepper for a twist on "tuna" salad.
  • Teriyaki bowl: Shred the cooked salmon into smaller pieces and season with teriyaki sauce, sesame.

Recipe Notes

  • For frozen salmon, follow the direction in this recipe.
  • We recommend using an Anyday Shallow Dish for cooking proteins. If using an Anyday Deep Dish, you may need to add more cooking time.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Salmon: 4 Ways

Customize your microwaved salmon with these recipe ideas.

Thai Red Curry

Cover salmon with store-bought curry sauce and cook in the microwave. Garnish with lime and cilantro.

Miso Butter

Combine equal parts miso, brown sugar, and butter together. Spread onto salmon and microwave.

Ginger-Soy

Combine soy sauce, grated fresh ginger, garlic, and honey and pour over salmon. 

Garlic & Herb

Combine dijon mustard, chopped garlic, dried parsley, and salt and spread onto salmon.

More fish recipes

Microwave Match Up: Salmon

See for yourself— microwaving salmon is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 4-6 mins
Oven* 25 mins
Stovetop* 15 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 20 mins
Shop Anyday

Step-by-Step: Microwaving Salmon

Season salmon with salt and pepper to taste.

Place salmon in a Shallow Dish.

Cook in the microwave.

Salmon is ready when it flakes easily with a fork.

All You Need to Know About Microwaving Salmon

How long does salmon take to cook in the microwave?

Ingredient Power Level Cooking Time
One 4-6oz piece 5 4-6 mins
Two 4-6 oz pieces 5 5-7 mins
Three 4-6 oz pieces 5 7-9 mins
Four 4-6 oz pieces 5 9-11 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

The amount of time it takes to cook salmon in the microwave will depend on the size and thickness of the fish, as well as the wattage of your microwave. As a general rule, you should microwave salmon for about 3-4 minutes per half-pound of fish. So, if you have a 1-pound piece of salmon, you should microwave it for about 6-7 minutes.

How to tell when salmon is cooked through

To be certain that your salmon is cooked through, use a food thermometer to check that the internal temperature reads at least 145°F. You can also test the salmon for doneness by flaking it gently with a fork – if it flakes easily and is opaque in the center, it's cooked through.

How to freeze microwaved salmon

Place the fresh salmon in a plastic bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible. Then freeze at 0° F or lower (ideally). Label the salmon with the date it was frozen and use it within 3-6 months. When you're ready to defrost the salmon, refrigerate it to thaw safely. You can also cook salmon directly from frozen, placing it in an Anyday Shallow dish and adding 1-minute intervals to the suggested cook time until the fish is cooked through.

Does it matter what type of salmon to use?

The reason why the type of salmon matters is mostly due to the fat content! Atlantic salmon filets tend to be on the fattier side, making it easier for that fat to congeal with high heat. Leaner salmon varieties such as Coho or King may offer a faster cook time, but with less fat (and therefore, flavor). Consider adding more olive oil or other flavorful fats to boost the flavor profile of these salmon varieties.

Should I cook salmon at a lower power level?

If you’d like to cook your salmon more gently, cook at a lower power level for longer time. Try Power Level 7 for 5 minutes and see how well the fish flakes! If it’s still raw in the middle, add another 30 seconds of time.

Want more salmon recipes?

More recipes

What Customers Are Saying

© 2025 Anyday Meyer Corporation, U.S. 2023. 
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Venmo
  • Visa