Hot smoked salmon is a delicious and luxurious treat that deserves an equally tasty accompaniment. The rich, smokey flavor of the salmon pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides that enhance and complement its flavor profile. In this article, I’ll share 13 of my favorite side dish ideas to serve with hot smoked salmon.
Why Serve a Side Dish with Hot Smoked Salmon?
Even though hot smoked salmon tastes great by itself, adding sides that go well with it can make the meal even better. Having a side dish with your hot smoked salmon is helpful in the following ways:
- Adds more nutrients and variety to your meal
- Provides texture contrast to the flaky salmon
- Balances out the richness of the salmon
- Allows you to expand the meal into a full dinner spread
- Lets you highlight seasonal produce or ingredients
- Gives you an opportunity to try new flavor combinations
So don’t be afraid to get creative and try out one of these delicious side dishes with your next hot smoked salmon dinner!
13 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Hot Smoked Salmon
1. Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
A light and refreshing green salad is a classic pairing with smoked salmon. The bright, tangy lemon vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the salmon. Toss the greens with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion for a tasty crunch.
2. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
The natural sweetness of roasted sweet potato wedges or cubes perfectly complements the salty smokiness of salmon. Toss the sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary before roasting to add warm earthy flavors.
3. Quinoa Tabouli Salad
Quinoa is a protein-rich food that is mixed with diced tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, mint, and lemon juice in this fresh Mediterranean salad. The crunchy, light texture goes well with the salmon without taking over.
4. Sauteed Green Beans
To make a quick and easy side dish, cook green beans in olive oil with lemon zest and minced garlic. The bright green beans go well with the salmon and add color to the plate.
5. Creamy Parmesan Polenta
Polenta is cornmeal boiled into a creamy, grits-like dish. The richness plays off the salmon well, while the Parmesan adds a sharp, salty accent. Drizzle with olive oil or butter before serving.
6. Honey Glazed Carrots
Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness, which is echoed by a drizzle of honey over top. It’s a simple but elegant side for special occasions.
7. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
For a lighter alternative to mashed potatoes, try mashed cauliflower. Garlic and olive oil or butter round out the flavors in this easy side dish.
8. Israeli Couscous Salad
Israeli couscous has a chewy, pasta-like texture and makes a satisfying base for a salmon salad. Toss it with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta, and fresh parsley.
9. Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
Sauteed spinach is a quick, healthy side dish that pairs well with salmon. Cook the spinach down with olive oil and garlic until just wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Dill Cucumber Salad
Cool, crunchy cucumbers tossed in a dill vinaigrette put a fresh twist on cucumber salad. The dill’s anise flavor brings out notes in the salmon.
11. Brown Rice Pilaf
Nutty brown rice nicely soaks up any sauce or drippings from the salmon. For a Greek spin, add lemon, garlic, and oregano to the rice.
12. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts caramelize beautifully when roasted, turning sweet and nutty. Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting.
13. Buttered Parsley Potatoes
Simple browned butter potatoes are taken up a notch with the addition of fresh parsley. Boil and smash petite potatoes or dice large ones before sauteeing in butter.
Tips for Serving Hot Smoked Salmon and Sides
Here are some tips to help you beautifully plate your hot smoked salmon meal:
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Allow the salmon to rest for a few minutes after heating so it can absorb any glaze or sauce.
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Fold fresh dill or parsley into your sides just before serving to keep the herbs looking vibrant.
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For parties, serve the salmon and each side in separate dishes for a buffet-style spread.
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To create an elegant plated dinner, fan the salmon out on one side of the plate and spoon your sides on the other side.
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Garnish the salmon with lemon wedges, fresh dill or parsley, capers, or fresh berries like raspberries.
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Offer crusty bread or rolls for sopping up any juices or sauce.
How I Turn Hot Smoked Salmon Into Lazy Summer Dinners
There are countless ways to turn a piece of hot smoked salmon into dinner. Here are just a handful of my favorites:
- Scatter flaked chunks onto a summer salad. It tastes great in a Greek salad or panzanella with juicy tomatoes. Though it wouldn’t look out of place on top of a simple kale salad or even old potato salad.
- Add some mayo, lemon juice, diced red onion, capers, and flaked tuna to a bowl. Mix it all together like you would a tuna salad.
- It would be better to use hot smoked salmon instead of tuna in this patty recipe if you don mind turning on the stove for a short time.
- Flaked salmon, a little sour cream, Dijon mustard, and chopped fresh herbs can be mixed together to make a dip or spread. It goes well with a variety of crackers and vegetables. You could even call it dinner snacks.
- For a different taste, mix the chunks with pesto and chopped fresh tomatoes, or serve them plain with Greek yogurt, good olive oil, lemon juice, and grated or minced garlic.
- Put big pieces on top of tomato toast, avocado toast, or even just scrambled eggs on toast.
What Is Hot Smoked Salmon?
Hot smoked salmon is salmon that is cured and then smoked with heat so that it’s fully cooked. Most likely you’ve heard of cold-smoked salmon, which is cured and smoked without heat so it doesn’t cook. The latter is sliced thin and most often enjoyed on a bagel with cream cheese. But hot smoked salmon looks like a cooked salmon fillet and can be flaked the same way. It’s firm and meaty, with a deeply savory, earthy flavor due to the smoking process.
This firm, meatiness is exactly why I love leaning on hot smoked salmon at mealtime. With this, I can enjoy the taste and texture of cooked salmon without having to heat up the oven or grill. Plus, I think its even more flavorful than regular cooked fillets since it’s smoked. That means it both bulks up and perks up dinner with minimal effort from me.
Hot Smoked Salmon Pasta | Quick & Easy Food | Jamie Oliver
FAQ
What to pair with hot-smoked salmon?
How do you eat hot-smoked salmon?
What cheese goes with hot-smoked salmon?
What can you eat with smoked salmon?
Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with smoked salmon are arugula salad, lemon pasta, homemade bagels, cucumber sandwiches, and white asparagus. For more unique options, try seasoned Japanese rice, Greek quinoa salad, or a tropical mango salsa. You can also use the smoked salmon to make sushi. Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Is smoked salmon good for you?
Salmon is a source of high-quality protein, magnesium, and selenium. In addition, it provides healthy fatty acids for the body. It contains large amounts of omega 3, which prevents cardiovascular diseases, has anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents certain types of Cancer.
What goes well with smoky salmon?
Dill and Lemon: The fresh and herbaceous notes of dill perfectly complement the smoky richness of the salmon, while a squeeze of lemon adds a vibrant burst of citrusy tang. Cream Cheese and Capers: The creamy and slightly tangy cream cheese provides a luscious backdrop for the smoky salmon, while the briny capers add a delightful pop of saltiness.
What side dishes go with smoked salmon?
To make this dish even more special, you can add some fresh herbs like basil or mint. You could also add some crumbled feta cheese or diced avocado. Serve this salad alongside grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. In conclusion, there are many delicious side dishes that go great with smoked salmon.