Salmon and Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot)

This Instant Pot Salmon and Mashed Potatoes recipe gives you a protein and a side dish, in ONE pot, with a three minute cook time. The salmon and potatoes are both perfectly tender but not overcooked, and the whole thing is just a plate of deliciousness.

2 (5-6 oz each) filets salmon, skin-on, center-cut
½ tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. sea salt, divided
¼ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground, divided
nonstick cooking spray
½ lb russet potatoes (2 small potatoes), scrubbed and cut into 1” pieces
¼ cup water
2 Tbsp. butter, divided
2 Tbsp. half-and-half cream

To Serve:
chopped fresh parsley
lemon wedges

Rub tops and sides of salmon fillets with chili powder, ¼ tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper. Spray Instant Pot cooking rack with nonstick spray and place salmon fillets on rack.
Place potatoes, water, 1 Tbsp. butter and remaining ¼ tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper in bowl of 6-qt Instant Pot. Place rack with salmon over potatoes. Secure lid and set Pressure Release to Sealing. Select Pressure Cook or Manual Setting and set cooking time for 3 minutes at high pressure (pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure before cooking time begins).

When cooking time ends, move Pressure Release to Venting to release steam.

Carefully remove rack with salmon and set aside. Add half and half and remaining 1 Tbsp. butter to Instant Pot and select Sauté setting. Use potato masher to mash potatoes until smooth and creamy.

Divide mashed potatoes and salmon between two plates and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.

Cook's Notes: It's kind of hard to get the rack out after the cook time, because the rack is so hot. I used tongs to help lift the rack, and then used a pot holder to grab the hot rack.