Microwave Salmon (Ultra Easy 3 Minute Recipe)
A super quick way to make tender, buttery salmon in just a few minutes — no oven or air fryer needed. Microwaving cooks the salmon from the inside by exciting the water molecules directly, helping it stay softer and juicier before too much moisture can escape.
Equipment
- Microwave-safe container (ideally with lid; If not, you can use a large plate as lid.)
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 lb skinless salmon fillet
- ½ tsp salt (¼ tsp on each side)
- ¼ black pepper (⅛ tsp on each side)
Instructions
- Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Place the salmon into a microwave-safe container.
- Sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt on one side of the salmon and grind black pepper over it. Flip the salmon over and repeat with another 1/4 tsp salt and more black pepper.
- Let the salmon marinate for 10 minutes.
- Cover the container with a vented lid. (If you don’t have one, loosely cover the top with a large plate. Place another large plate underneath the container to catch any liquid that may drip during microwaving.)
- Microwave on 100% power in a 1050W microwave for 3 minutes. (If your microwave is lower wattage, you may need a little longer. If it’s higher wattage, reduce the time slightly and check early to avoid overcooking. 700–800W: about 5–4 minutes; 900–1000W: about 4–3 minutes; 1100–1200W: about 3-2.5 minutes.)
- Carefully remove the container and let the salmon rest for about 1 minute before opening the lid or plate.
- Serve immediately. Optionally enjoy it with white rice, avocado, nori sheets, cucumber, and sriracha sauce.