Coconut Poached Salmon

Time to boost up those omega-3s 🥥🍣🌿🫚

Salmon. Ginger. Coconut milk. Lemongrass.

These simple ingredients come together to create one of the most nourishing, hormone-supportive meals—especially if you’re thinking about fertility, hormone balance, or just overall well-being.

I pretty much recommend wild-caught salmon for every single client (and eat it myself multiple times a week), but let’s be real—sometimes cooking the same proteins gets boring.

That’s why I love this coconut-poached salmon. It’s easy, deeply nourishing, and makes you feel like you’re eating at a spa (without the price tag).

There are a few dishes I make on repeat each week:

• Kitchari

• Banana Oat Cookies

• Japchae

• Kale Caesar

annnddd

• this salmon

When I first made this, I paired it with my super rice (coming soon!) and ginger-infused bok choy, and I knnnneeewww I had to share it with you all.

It’s light yet satisfying, creamy yet bright, and packed with all the nutrients your hormones love.

The Ingredients:

THE SALMON:

Wild-caught salmon is loaded with omega-3s, which support hormone production, reduce inflammation, and nourish your brain, skin, and reproductive system. Plus, it’s one of the best food sources of DHA, a crucial nutrient for egg and sperm quality.

does wild caught really matter? short answer: yes. long answer: 100% - farmed salmon not only has more pesticides, presence of plastics and lower DHA content, but it is also higher in mercury

THE COCONUT MILK:

A rich, creamy source of healthy fats that help stabilize blood sugar (which, in turn, stabilizes hormones). Coconut also contains lauric acid, known for its antimicrobial benefits—great for gut health, which plays a huge role in hormone balance.

THE GINGER:

Ginger is a powerhouse for digestion and inflammation. It supports circulation (which is key for reproductive health), soothes bloating, and even helps with cramps. Plus, it just adds the perfect warmth and spice to this dish.

THE BROTH (or WATER):

You can use bone broth or even just water for poaching, but if you opt for broth, you’ll be adding extra minerals and gut-supporting collagen, which is never a bad idea for hormone health.

The Nutritional Breakdown:

Per salmon fillet:

- Protein: 30g. (yep, hitting our target gals)

pllluuussss

✔ Supports hormone balance – Omega-3s from salmon help reduce inflammation and support progesterone production.
✔ Gut-friendly – Coconut milk and ginger soothe digestion, while lemongrass supports liver detox.
✔ Blood sugar friendly – Packed with healthy fats and protein to keep energy stable.
✔ A fertility-supportive powerhouse – Rich in DHA, vitamin D, and zinc for reproductive health.

The Recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

Serves 2-4 (depending on how many fillets you use)

• 2-4 salmon fillets (~4-6 oz each)

• Salt and pepper (to taste)

• 1/2 tbsp coconut or avocado oil

• 2 garlic cloves (or as many as your heart desires…which is like 5 for me), finely chopped

• 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated or minced

• 1 shallot, onion or green onion, minced (we’re forgiving here - just use what’s in your kitcheN)

• 1/2-1 stalk lemongrass, smashed and chopped or grated

• Juice of 1 lime

• 1 can (13-14 oz) full-fat coconut milk

  • optional: for a lighter option, do 1/2-3/4 can + 1/2-3/4 cup water or bone broth

• Optional:

  • 1 tsp chili garlic paste (adjust to taste)

  • 1 whole star anise (optional, for depth of flavor)

  • ¼ cup fresh basil or mint, roughly chopped

METHOD:

1️⃣ Sauté the aromatics: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, shallot, and lemongrass. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

2️⃣ Create the coconut broth: Pour in the coconut milk (and broth/water) and optional chili paste + star anise. Stir until combined.

3️⃣ Poach the salmon: Season salmon with salt and pepper. Nestle fillets into the broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 6–8 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

4️⃣ Finish & serve: Remove the star anise. Squeeze in fresh lime juice, sprinkle with basil and mint, and serve over rice + with veggies

Tips & Tricks

🌿Spice it up: Add a pinch of Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes for extra heat.

🍣 Make it high quality: please, choose wild salmon

🍋🌾 How to handle lemongrass: peel reedy outer layers and just use the bottom 5’’ of the stalk (white + pale green). Instead, you could also use 1 Tbsp lemongrass paste.

🥥Coconut milk options: aim to get one without added sugar or ideally guar gum. I recommend full fat, but for a lighter option, you can try a low fat variety

🍚 Don’t toss the sauce: I pour it over my salmon and/or rice for extra flavor
🥬 Bump up the dish: by having it alongside rice, quinoa, veggies or sprinkling with sesame seeds, kimchi etc.

What other recipes do you want to see next? Drop it in the comments!