19 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Stuffed Salmon

With 19 of my favorite side dish ideas for stuffed salmon, I’ll share with you today. These options provide a nice balance of textures, colors, and flavors. Vegetables, grains, starches, and greens are all mixed together in this dish. It goes well with stuffed salmon fillets or rolls.

Choosing Sides for Stuffed Salmon

When selecting side dishes for stuffed salmon, you’ll want to consider the fillings and preparation method Most stuffed salmon recipes include a creamy mixture of ingredients like cheese, breadcrumbs, herbs, vegetables, or seafood. The salmon is often roasted or baked, resulting in a tender, flaky interior encasing the savory filling

You’ll want sides that complement, rather than compete with the flavors of the stuffed salmon. Here are some tips for choosing delicious pairings:

• Pick bright, fresh sides – The richness of the stuffed salmon filling calls for bright acid and herbal flavors to provide contrast Sides with lemon, herbs, greens, and vegetables are ideal
• Add a starch or whole grain – Pairing the creamy salmon with some fibre from whole grains or starchy vegetables can help balance the meal. Options like rice, pasta, potatoes, and quinoa work nicely.
• Roast vegetables—Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus are all great vegetables to roast with stuffed salmon. The char adds great flavor.
• Keep it light – Heavy, creamy sides like mac and cheese or gratins may be overkill. Lighter pasta tosses, veggie sides, and salads are likely better pairings for this rich dish.

Now let’s look at some of my personal favorite stuffed salmon side dish ideas!

19 Delicious Stuffed Salmon Side Dishes

1. Brown Rice Pilaf

A simple brown rice pilaf flavored with garlic, herbs, and a bit of lemon makes the perfect pairing for stuffed salmon fillets. The nutty whole grain provides a pleasant contrast to the rich stuffed salmon. Boost the flavor by using chicken or vegetable broth instead of water when cooking the rice.

2. Pasta Tossed with Olive Oil and Fresh Herbs

For a fast and easy stuffed salmon side, toss hot pasta with a bit of olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. I like to use short pasta shapes like farfalle or penne. The classic flavors complement stuffed salmon beautifully.

3. Roasted Broccoli or Broccolini

Roasting broccoli or broccolini caramelizes it slightly and adds great depth of flavor. Toss the florets with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F until browned and tender. The charred veggies pair wonderfully with creamy stuffed salmon.

4. Couscous with Lemon and Parsley

Fluffy couscous is one of my favorite pairings for stuffed salmon. Prepare it simply with vegetable broth and then toss with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, parsley, and pepper. The bright, citrusy flavors balance the richness of the salmon.

5. Quinoa Salad

Take your side up a notch by serving stuffed salmon over a protein-packed quinoa salad. Cooked quinoa tossed with chopped cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and feta makes a fantastic pairing.

6. Steamed Green Beans

For a classic and easy veggie pairing, you can’t go wrong with steamed green beans. Blanch fresh green beans briefly in boiling water, then toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice. The fresh flavor complements stuffed salmon beautifully.

7. Grilled Vegetables

If you’re firing up the grill for the salmon, throw some vegetables on as well! Zucchini, bell peppers, red onions, asparagus, and eggplant all taste amazing grilled. Toss the hot veggies with olive oil, balsamic glaze, basil, and feta.

8. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes provide the perfect starchy base for stuffed salmon fillets. For lighter mashed potatoes, use a combo of cauliflower and potatoes. Roast them first to deepen the flavor before mashing with butter, milk, and garlic.

9.Roasted Sweet Potatoes

For a flavorful fall or winter side, roast sweet potato wedges tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary. The natural sweetness balances the rich stuffed salmon beautifully. Add a sqeeze of lemon over the salmon and potatoes to really make the flavors pop.

10. Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild rice makes a delicious, fuller-flavored alternative to brown rice. Cook it pilaf-style with chicken broth, garlic, and herbs. For extra flavor, stir in toasted pecans or walnuts, dried cranberries, and a squeeze of lemon.

11. Pasta Salad

Chilled pasta salads make easy, beginner-friendly sides for stuffed salmon. Toss cooked pasta with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, olives, Italian dressing, and a bit of crumbled feta. Chill before serving alongside hot stuffed salmon.

12. Fresh Green Salad

You can keep your side ultra-simple with a fresh green salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette. Crisp lettuce, shredded carrots, quartered grape tomatoes, and sliced cucumber make a light pairing for rich stuffed salmon. Add avocado or bacon for more substance.

13. Sauteed Spinach

For a quick and easy veggie side, saute baby spinach in olive oil with garlic and lemon. Season with salt and pepper. The tender spinach and bright lemon flavors complement stuffed salmon wonderfully.

14. Sauteed Zucchini

Saute zucchini coins or halves in olive oil over medium-high heat until caramelized. Season with garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. The fresh vegetable side balances the rich salmon filling nicely.

15. Veggie Kebabs

Make quick vegetable kebabs to grill alongside the stuffed salmon. Cherry tomatoes, zucchini rounds, yellow squash, bell pepper chunks, and red onion wedges work well. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper before grilling until charred.

16. Israeli Couscous Salad

This hearty salad turns couscous into a satisfying meal accompaniment. Cook Israeli couscous according to package directions. Toss with cucumbers, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, mint, parsley, feta, and salt.

17. Roasted Cauliflower

For a low-carb veggie pairing, roast cauliflower florets tossed in olive oil at 400°F until browned. Sprinkle with garlic, lemon zest, parsley, and Parmesan before serving. The charred cauliflower caramelizes beautifully and pairs well with stuffed salmon.

18. Steamed Asparagus

For an easy springtime side, steam asparagus until bright green and tender-crisp. Toss the spears with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. I like to shave Parmesan over the asparagus too.

19. Farro Salad

Nutty farro makes a delicious, wheat berry-style salad base. Cook farro according to package directions, then toss with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, parsley, and feta. The Mediterranean flavors pair wonderfully with the salmon.

Complement Your Stuffed Salmon Meal

With so many delicious options, from grains and pastas to roasted veggies and fresh salads, you can always find a scrumptious side to complement your stuffed salmon entree. Experiment with different flavor and texture pairings to keep your meal interesting.

Stuffed salmon sealed and roasted or baked until flaky on the outside and pillowy within, paired with a bright, crisp salad or herby whole grains, makes for a fabulous dinner. With the right sides, it can also be impressive enough for special occasions and guests. However you choose to complement it, stuffed salmon is a real treat.