Read through for important tips + how to make salmon soup perfectly every time. This is a new one in our Mediterranean diet recipes collection!
Chicken isn’t the only protein that makes a comforting soup. Fish is just as worthy, am I right?! I’ve played with my fair share of fish and shellfish in warm soupy things–my Sicilian fish stew, shrimp soup, and these brothy steamed clams are favorites around here. When it comes to fish soup, we often choose something in the white fish family–like halibut or cod. But give this easy salmon soup a try, and you’ll be hooked! There is nothing quiet like salmon’s delicate, almost creamy texture obtained by simmering very briefly in a flavor-packed broth with potatoes, carrots and fresh dill. The key to any fish soup is in how you flavor the broth. This salmon soup uses a few simple flavor makers that will surprise your taste buds in the best way possible.
What I love about this salmon soup:
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this salmon soup
Green onions, garlic, bell peppers, and fresh dill- sauteed in extra virgin olive oil, this foursome creates our sofrito and starts the flavoring process for our fish soup. Broth or Stock– I use chicken broth here, but fish broth or stock would be wonderful. Vegetables- very thinly sliced potatoes and carrots add heft to this soup. Spices and Herbs- Fresh dill and dry oregano with a little bit of coriander and a hint of cumin are all flavors that compliment fish and seafood well, enhancing this soup while keeping it clean and fresh-tasting. Salmon- I used pink salmon fillets without skin. Skin-on salmon is great for searing or baking, but I find that when you boil salmon or cook it in soup like in this recipe, the skin can become a bit soggy and rubbery so I prefer to leave it off. But if you want a richer-tasting soup, you could use skin-on salmon fillet. Lemon juice- A bright splash of citrus finishes this fish soup.
How to Make Salmon Soup
Step 2: Add broth, vegetables, and spices To the pot, add your broth, thinly sliced potatoes and carrots. Add oregano, coriander, and cumin and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Stir to combine. Bring this party to a boil, then reduce to medium and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are nice and tender.
Step 3: Add the Salmon Season your salmon with some kosher salt and gently add it to the simmering pot of soup. Reduce heat and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until salmon is cooked (it should turn opaque in color and should flake easily). Remove from heat. Step 4: Finish with citrus and more fresh dill Stir in lemon juice and the rest of the fresh dill.
How do I know if salmon is done?
No matter the cooking method you choose for your salmon, the one thing to remember is: do not over cook salmon. Salmon can easily go from raw to over-cooked quickly. Which means you have to keep an eye on it as it cooks. Salmon is ready when it’s flesh turns opaque and flakes easily–meaning, if you take a fork to it, it will easily separate between the white lines. The USDA recommends recommends a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F for salmon, but at this temperature, this will be a very firm, well-done piece of fish. Remember that salmon will continue to cook off heat, so my personal preference is to pull salmon off the heat at 135 degrees F, which would be more of a medium done-ness. It’s not always easy to measure the internal temperature of salmon, particularly in a salmon soup (you’ll have to take out a piece to measure it’s temp using an instant read thermometer). So I look for the flesh to turn color and I use my fork to test for flakiness.
Variations
If salmon is not available to you, you can try another fish such as cod. You can replace fresh dill with 1/3 of the amount listed in dry dill. Or you can use a different fresh herb like parsley, cilantro, or basil.
Storage Instructions
As with most fish and seafood recipes, leftovers can be stored in a tight-lid glass container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Warm through on stovetop. Looking for more fish recipes? Check out our collection here. Soup and stew recipes here. For all recipes, visit us here. JOIN MY FREE E-MAIL LIST HERE. SHOP OUR ONLINE STORE FOR QUALITY OLIVE OILS, ALL-NATURAL SPICES AND MORE. 4.9 from 71 reviews
