What Kind of Rice Goes Best with Salmon? A Guide to Pairing Rice and Fish

Salmon is a versatile and healthy fish that can be prepared in endless ways. From poached to grilled to baked, salmon pairs well with all kinds of flavors and ingredients. One classic pairing is salmon with rice The right rice can perfectly complement the fish, absorbing any sauce or seasonings while providing a neutral base. But with so many rice varieties out there, how do you choose what kind of rice goes best with salmon?

In this guide, we’ll go over the rice basics and explain what to consider when picking a rice to serve with salmon We’ll also recommend the best rice varieties to try with simple salmon recipes as well as more complex flavor combinations

An Overview of Rice Types

Different kinds of rice are grouped by their length: long grain, medium grain, and short grain.

Long grain rice has a long, slender kernel. The grains stay separate and dry while they cook, making them light and fluffy. This rice is ideal for dishes like stir-fries or salad.

Medium grain rice kernels are shorter and wider. Once they’re cooked, the short grain grains are a bit more sticky and moist than the long grain grains. Medium grain rice works well in dishes like risotto or paella.

Short grain rice has plump, almost round kernels. It becomes quite soft and sticky when cooked. Short grain rice is used to make sushi and is also ideal for rice pudding.

Beyond those basic categories, you can choose between brown and white rice. Brown rice is a whole grain and contains the fiber-rich outer bran layer. White rice has had this nutritious bran layer removed during processing.

There are also aromatic rice varieties like jasmine, basmati, and Texmati. Aromatic rices have a fragrant, nutty aroma and flavor.

When pairing rice with salmon, any of these varieties can work well. You’ll want to consider the preparation method, other recipe flavors, and your own personal taste preferences.

Simple Salmon Recipes

For easy oven baked or pan seared salmon fillets with minimal seasoning, we recommend sticking with plain white or brown rice. The neutral flavor of the rice won’t compete with the salmon.

Brown rice brings a lovely nutty taste and chewy texture to balance tender salmon. It also adds fiber and whole grain goodness. Look for brown basmati or brown jasmine rice for even more flavor. Brown rice takes a bit longer to cook than white rice, so factor that timing into your meal prep.

White rice complements simply prepared salmon without overpowering it. White basmati or jasmine rice offer a subtle aromatic quality. Regular long grain white rice works as well. Just be careful not to overcook the rice into a mush.

If you want to add a little more flavor to your rice, stir in some chopped fresh herbs before serving. Parsley, dill, basil, or chives are all tasty with salmon. A spritz of lemon or splash of vinegar brightens the rice too.

Salmon with Soy Sauce or Teriyaki

Salmon pairs wonderfully with Asian-inspired flavors like ginger, garlic, sesame, and soy sauce. For these recipes, we suggest serving the salmon with short or medium grain white rice.

The soft, sticky texture of short grain white rice works well with teriyaki glazed or soy sauce seasoned salmon. Rice varieties like sushi rice, calrose rice, or mochi rice hold the sauce beautifully.

Medium grain white rice also absorbs the flavors of an Asian sauce nicely. Opt for jasmine or Texmati rice which have a faint nuttiness and sweet aroma that complements the saltiness of soy or teriyaki.

To boost flavor, mix some chopped scallions, sesame seeds, diced carrots or edamame into the finished rice. Serve with an additional drizzle of teriyaki sauce if desired.

Lemon Herb Salmon

Bright citrus flavors are excellent with salmon. For salmon fillets topped with lemon slices or a lemony pesto, herb sauce, or topping, try serving wild rice or brown rice.

Wild rice has an earthy, nutty flavor and pleasant chewy texture that stands up well to salmon’s richness. The bold grains provide an interesting contrast to the buttery fish. Wild rice also toasts up nicely if you want to cook it in the salmon pan drippings.

Brown rice is another good choice for lemon herb salmon recipes. Nuttier than white rice, it won’t get lost beside zesty lemon and herbs. Brown basmati or brown jasmine rice add even more aroma. Finish the rice with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to tie it to the salmon.

You could also prepare the salmon and rice together in one pan to let the flavors meld. Cook the rice first, then nestle the salmon fillets in the pan to finish cooking. Voila – easy one pan salmon dinner!

Salmon with Warm Latin Flavors

Salmon also pairs deliciously with the warm spices found in Mexican, Spanish or Latin American cuisine. Think flavors like chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, salsa, or chipotle.

Here, we suggest white or brown Texmati rice or brown basmati rice.

Texmati rice is a hybrid of American long grain and basmati rice that absorbs Latin flavors well. It has a light popcorn aroma and fluffy texture when cooked. Use Texmati rice to soak up any sauce from spicy salmon.

Brown basmati rice is exceptionally fragrant, with a sweet, nutty taste. Its tender grains won’t get lost beside bold spiced salmon. Infuse the cooking water with lime juice or throw in some fresh cilantro for even more flavor.

Just take care not to overpower the salmon with too many competing flavors. A simple saute of bell peppers, onions and Latin spices does the trick.

Mediterranean Salmon

Salmon also shines when paired with the bright, fresh flavors of the Mediterranean: olives, tomatoes, basil, feta cheese, lemon, garlic, etc.

For these Mediterranean-inspired salmon dishes, try pearl couscous or Israeli couscous.

The small pasta-like balls have a lovely toothsome texture. Israeli pearl couscous is toasted, adding a subtly nutty flavor. Pair the couscous with roasted veggies, olives, tomatoes, and feta for a delicious and colorful salmon dinner.

Arborio rice also works well here. The short, plump grains become rich and creamy when cooked risotto-style. Just don’t let the rice overpower the salmon.

Coconut Curry Salmon

Lastly, consider coconut rice with salmon in Thai or Indian inspired curries. Sweet and sticky, the coconut rice soaks up the rich curry sauce beautifully.

For the rice, start by sauteeing onions, garlic and ginger in coconut oil for aromatic flavor. Add white basmati or jasmine rice and coconut milk to cook. Serve the creamy coconut rice bedded with salmon in a fragrant red or yellow curry sauce.

Experiment with Different Rice Varieties

The options we’ve covered demonstrate how rice selections can significantly impact the salmon eating experience. Play around with different types of rice to see what you prefer.

Just remember to balance flavors and textures. Keep rice flavors simple with basic salmon preparations to let the fish shine. Then get more creative with bolder rice varieties for spiced or sauced salmon recipes.

At the end of the day, salmon and rice is a classic, foolproof pairing. With so many rice options out there, you could enjoy this combo night after night and never get bored!