Looking for a light and comforting fish soup that comes together in under 30 minutes? This Easy Salmon Soup hits the mark with tender chunks of salmon, soft vegetables, and a bright, herby broth that’s packed with flavor. It’s fresh, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights or when you need something nourishing without the heaviness of cream-based chowders.
Why You’ll Love This Salmon Soup
- Quick and Simple: Ready in just over 20 minutes using pantry staples and fresh ingredients.
- Light Yet Hearty: With potatoes, carrots, and flaky salmon, this soup feels satisfying without being heavy.
- Fresh Mediterranean Flavors: Dill, lemon, garlic, and a hint of warm spice give this soup a vibrant, clean finish.
- Healthy and Gluten-Free: No cream, flour, or dairy—just good-for-you ingredients and natural richness from the salmon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For a flavorful sauté base.
- Green Onions, Garlic & Bell Peppers: The aromatic trio that builds the foundation of the broth.
- Fresh Dill: A key herb in this dish—bright, lemony, and distinctly Mediterranean.
- Chicken or Fish Broth: Use what you have, though fish broth will deepen the seafood flavor.
- Thinly Sliced Potatoes and Carrots: Cook quickly and add body to the soup.
- Spices: Dried oregano, coriander, and a pinch of cumin warm up the flavor without overpowering the fish.
- Salmon Fillets (skinless): Pink salmon works beautifully, but any mild variety will do.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: The final bright finish that ties it all together.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: For seasoning to taste.
How to Make Salmon Soup
Sauté the aromatics:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped green onions, garlic, and diced bell peppers. Cook until softened and fragrant. Stir in a bit of chopped fresh dill.
Add broth, vegetables, and spices:
Pour in the broth, add the thinly sliced potatoes and carrots, and season with oregano, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5–6 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
Add salmon:
Season your salmon pieces with a little salt. Gently add them to the simmering broth. Lower the heat and cook for 3–5 minutes, just until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
Finish with lemon and dill:
Turn off the heat and stir in fresh lemon juice and the remaining dill. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Tips for Perfect Salmon Soup
- Don’t overcook the salmon: Pull it from the heat once it turns opaque and flakes with a fork. Overcooked salmon becomes dry and loses its delicate texture.
- Keep the vegetables thin: Slicing them finely ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
- Balance with lemon: The lemon isn’t optional here—it brightens and balances the soup beautifully.
Variations
- Use a different fish: Cod or halibut also work well in this broth-based soup.
- Swap the herbs: No dill? Try parsley or a touch of basil for a different flavor profile.
- Add leafy greens: A handful of baby spinach or kale stirred in at the end adds color and extra nutrients.
Serving Suggestions
- Crusty Bread or Pita: For dunking in the broth.
- Light Side Salad: Something fresh and green with a lemon vinaigrette pairs well.
- Grain on the Side: Serve with a scoop of quinoa or brown rice if you want to make the meal more filling.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently: Warm over low heat on the stovetop—avoid boiling, which can dry out the salmon.
- Freezing not recommended: Fish soups are best fresh; freezing may change the texture of the salmon.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Salmon Soup is proof that a comforting, flavorful meal doesn’t have to take hours or rely on heavy ingredients. With delicate fish, fresh dill, and citrusy brightness, it’s the kind of soup you’ll crave on cold nights, but love just as much in spring or summer. It’s healthy, satisfying, and oh-so-easy—definitely one to keep on rotation.
Salmon Soup
Looking for a light and comforting fish soup that comes together in under 30 minutes?
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil (I used Private Reserve Greek EVOO)
- 4 green onions, chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 oz fresh dill, divided, chopped
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 lb gold potatoes, thinly sliced into rounds (best to use a mandolin slicer)
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced into rounds (best to use a mandolin slicer)
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- ¾ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 lb salmon fillet, no skin, cut into large chunks
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pot until shimmering but not smoking. Add green onions, bell pepper, and garlic and cook over medium-heat, stirring frequently until fragrant (about 3 minutes or so).
- Add ½ of the fresh dill, and stir for 30 seconds more.
- Now add broth, potatoes and carrots. Add spices and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Bring to a rolling boil then lower heat to medium and cook for 5 to 6 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Season salmon with kosher salt and gently add it to the pot of simmering soup. Lower heat and cook for a few brief minutes until salmon is cooked through about 3 to 5 minutes or until salmon is cooked and flakes easily.
- Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice and remaining dill.
- Transfer salmon soup to serving bowls. Serve with a side of your favorite crusty bread. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cook’s Tip: do not overcook salmon. Salmon is ready when the flesh turns opaque in color and flakes easily–meaning, if you take a fork to it, salmon should separate easily between the white lines.
- At that point, take it off the heat immediately. Do not wait too long to serve this salmon soup as salmon will continue to cook in the hot broth.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 444Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 71mgSodium 264mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 4gSugar 3gProtein 35g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
