Harley Pasternak's Lemon Poached Salmon Recipe

Bored of your regular dinner routine? Try poaching your salmon in lemon for a bold, citrus zing that’s nutritious and delicious.

Harley Pasternak presenting lemon poached salmon

You might have tried pan-seared salmon or oven-baked salmon, but have you ever tried poached salmon? Celeb trainer and nutrition expert Harley Pasternak will have you completely rethinking the way you make this dish once you try this quick and easy version that packs a citrusy lemon punch. You’ll get much-needed protein with this simple yet delicious dinner — and, yes, you can even use frozen salmon if the fillets at your grocery store don’t look as fresh. 

“The key to doing this is poaching the salmon,” says Pasternak. “I find it creates a more juicy, quicker-cooking salmon than just using no liquid at all.” Delicious and time-saving? Can’t argue with that. 

To add some depth to the citrus flavor, you’ll layer Dijon mustard on each fillet and sprinkle lemon pepper on top before placing it in the pan. To poach the salmon, squeeze two lemons into a cup of water to infuse the citrus flavor, then pour the liquid into the pan to create a bath around the salmon and pop the lid on top. Once the pan gets hot, it’s going to create steam so the salmon cooks quickly and turns out moist. 

Serve with a side salad or some roasted veggies, and you have nailed an easy, healthy, and flavorful dinner. 

Tip:

This protein-packed recipe is great nourishment after a hard workout. We recommend pairing it with one of Harley Pasternak’s Superhero Series workouts on Alo Moves. Try it free with a 14-day trial.

Harley Pasternak’s Lemon Poached Salmon Recipe

Ingredients 

  • Salmon fillets  

  • Dijon mustard  

  • Lemon pepper  

  • Two lemons 

  • ½ cup water 

Directions: 

  1. Spread the Dijon mustard on top of the salmon fillets, then sprinkle the lemon pepper on top so it sticks.  

  2. Thinly slice one lemon and add a few slices on top of the salmon. Place the fillets in a hot skillet.  

  3. Squeeze remaining lemons into a cup of water to infuse together, then pour lemon water into the pan once it’s hot to create steam. 

  4. Place a lid on the top of the fillets and cook until done. 

Craving more? See a full list of Harley Pasternak’s recipes on our blog.


recipe courtesy of HARLEY PASTERNAK 

Harley Pasternak is a celebrity fitness trainer, nutritionist, and best-selling author based in Los Angeles. He holds a master of science degree in exercise physiology and nutritional sciences from the University of Toronto and an honors degree in kinesiology from University of Western Ontario. He is also certified by The American College of Sports Medicine and The Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, and served as an exercise and nutrition scientist for Canada’s Department of National Defense. 

As a fitness and nutrition specialist, Pasternak boasts the largest celebrity client roster in the industry. He is also a New York Times Bestselling Author whose titles have attained global bestseller status, which has led to translation in 14 languages in over 25 countries around the globe. Pasternak believes that you don’t need to spend hours inside a gym to create a healthy lifestyle — it’s all about how you spend your time outside of it, from incorporating regular movement into your day to better sleep and stress management. 


For more of Harley’s recipes and to receive access to our library of fitness classes, start your free 14-day trial to Alo Moves.