Have you thought about what a tasty side dish you could make to go with your salmon? Salmon is one of the easiest fish to cook, which makes it a great healthy weeknight meal. There are many tasty ways to make salmon even better with the right side dishes. Salmon is flaky, juicy, tender, and delicious on its own. You’ve come to the right place if you want to know what to eat with salmon, whether you want to serve it for lunch or dinner. Over 25 of our most popular and best salmon side dishes are shared here. These include vegetable side dishes, pasta side dishes, potato side dishes, the perfect rice, salads, and more.
Salmon is one of the most beloved fish around the world. Rich, fatty and flavorful, a piece of perfectly seared or baked salmon definitely deserves an equally delectable side to go with it.
Though salmon tastes great on its own, the right accompaniments can take your meal from boring to brilliant! The good news is salmon pairs well with a variety of ingredients and cooking methods.
In this article, we will explore 25 delicious side dishes that complement salmon wonderfully. Get ready to plan some drool-worthy salmon dinners with these tasty ideas!
Factors for Picking Salmon Sides
Here are some key considerations when selecting side dishes for salmon:
Flavor – Choose sides that balance the richness of salmon. Acidic herbal and crunchy textures work well.
Color – Vibrant sides add lovely contrast with salmon’s orange-pink hue.
Method – Grilled, roasted or sauteed veggies make great pairings with simply cooked salmon.
Nutrition – Combine salmon with veggie sides for a well-rounded, healthy meal.
Variety – Mix up starchy carbs, leafy greens, roasted veggies for different textures.
Ease: Choose simple sides on weeknights when you’re busy and more complicated ones on weekends.
25 Delicious Side Dishes for Salmon
Here are 25 flavorful, foolproof side dishes to serve with tasty salmon fillets:
1. Grilled Vegetables
A platter of grilled squash, eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers perfectly complements rich salmon. Smoky-charred veggies provide great textural contrast.
2. Greek Lemon-roasted Baby Potatoes
Crispy lemon potatoes seasoned with oregano and garlic make a zesty pairing for salmon. The strong flavors hold up well to the fish.
3. Harvest Salad with Quinoa and Arugula
Nutty quinoa, peppery arugula and seasonal produce like beets and apples create a wholesome, antioxidant-rich salad.
4. Sweet Potato Fries
Crunchy, salty fries offset salmon’s richness. For variation, use purple or orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
5. Broccoli (Bacon/Craisin) Salad
A mayo-based broccoli salad with crispy bacon bits/sweet craisins delivers a tasty crunch factor.
6. Green Beans Almondine
Sauteed green beans with toasted almonds offer great texture with salmon. Browned butter amps up the nutty flavors.
7. Lemon Butter Pasta
Ultra-lemony linguine or spaghetti seasoned with parsley and garlic makes a refreshing partner for salmon.
8. Cabbage Slaw
A sweet-sour cold slaw with red or green cabbage, scallions, peppers and a vinegar dressing cuts salmon’s oiliness.
9. Garlicky Kale
Saute chopped kale with olive oil and garlic for a quick, nutrient-packed accompaniment. Massage the kale first to soften.
10. Roasted Beets and Carrots
Roasting accentuates beets and carrots’ natural sweetness. Toss with thyme, salt and pepper.
11. Quinoa Pilaf
Simple, fluffy quinoa tossed with roasted vegetables makes a hearty, protein-rich side for salmon.
12. Brown or Cauliflower Rice
Nutty, fiber-rich riced cauliflower or brown rice sauteed with garlic makes a gluten-free pairing.
13. Sauteed Spinach
Quick-cooking spinach with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice wilts down for an easy veggie side.
14. Asparagus
Grilled or roasted asparagus spears lend vibrant color and turn extra flavorful.
15. Avocado Cucumber Salad
Chunky cucumber, avocado and tomato salad in a light dressing feels cool and refreshing.
16. Baked Sweet Potato
Fluffy baked sweet potatoes, mashed with butter, cream and spices, balances salmon’s richness.
17. Panzanella Salad
Rustic Italian bread salad with juicy tomatoes, cucumber, basil suits salmon’s bold flavor.
18. Creamed Corn
Sweet corn spiked with cream and parmesan tastes decadent with salmon’s fattiness.
19. Farro Salad
Nutty farro, chickpeas, tomatoes and spinach make a protein-loaded Mediterranean salad.
20. Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets roasted until caramelized and crispy make a hearty low-carb side.
21. Caprese Salad
Heirloom tomatoes with creamy mozzarella, basil and a balsamic glaze are a classic choice.
22. Greek Orzo Salad
Briny feta, olives, tomatoes, spinach and lemony orzo is a refreshing Greek-style salad.
23. Potato Gratin
Creamy au gratin potatoes enriched with cheese and cream complement salmon perfectly.
24. Baked Beans
Smokey baked beans, boosted with molasses and bacon, provide sweet and salty flavors.
25. Coleslaw
Cool, crunchy coleslaw with a tangy dressing cuts through salmon’s richness.
So go ahead and pair your perfectly cooked salmon with one or more of these easy, appetizing sides for well-balanced meals. Vary between creamy pastas, cool salads, crispy fries and roasted veggies for endless delicious iterations.
Best Salmon Side Dishes
Greek lemon roasted baby potatoes are easy to make and taste great with a mix of Greek herbs, garlic, and lemon. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Lemon butter pasta is quick and easy to make, light yet filling, and loaded with flavor. A delicious twist on classic buttered noodles ready in 15 minutes.
Easy coconut rice is light, fluffy, delicious, and flavorful. Its a quick and easy side dish that compliments all Thai, South Asian, and tropical dishes.
Buttery sautéed garlic green beans is a simple side dish that is quick, easy and delicious. Make these vibrant, crispy and tender green beans in 10 minutes.
This lemon kale salad is easy, tasty, and good for you. It only takes minutes to make with fresh ingredients. The perfect quick lunch or dinner.
Asparagus cooked in an air fryer in just 6 minutes gets crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is tossed in a small amount of olive oil with garlic and seasonings.
Mashed red potatoes are a simple and easy side dish with elegant flavor and plenty of nutrition. They are creamy, comforting, and have the best texture.
Cacio e pepe is a simple, authentic Italian pasta dish made with just four ingredients in 20 minutes. Its delicious, flavourful and easy to make.
A tasty homemade dijon vinaigrette is added to a roasted brussels sprouts salad that has creamy potatoes, crunchy string beans, and soft brussels sprouts.
Fresh, bright, and lively cilantro lime rice is a side dish that will make any meal taste better. Its a quick, easy, one pot recipe.
Baked Sweet Potato Wedges are crispy, delicious, flavorful. Serve as an appetizer or side dish. They are salty, savory, and sweet, with a hint of spice.
A quick and easy 5-minute tomato, cucumber, and avocado salad with a tasty lemon vinaigrette is a light and refreshing salad.
Creamy Parmesan (No Wine) Risotto is a classic Italian dish that is rich, creamy, and comforting. It may look hard to make, but it’s actually quick and easy.
Buttery sautéed garlic mushrooms are silky smooth with an incredible caramelization and earthy rich flavour. A simple side dish in under 15 minutes.
Five simple ingredients are all you need to make this quick and easy pesto penne pasta dish in less than 15 minutes. The easiest dinner.
Easy garlic and herb roasted carrots are sweet and tasty, and they’re the perfect side dish for any dinner, whether it’s a holiday dinner or a weeknight dinner.
A cold vegan soba noodle salad with fresh vegetables and a tasty saucy dressing is the best thing to eat on a hot day.
Quick and easy roasted garlic Parmesan baby potatoes are crispy on the edges and tender inside. They are delicious, flavourful and bakes in just 30 minutes.
This creamy cucumber salad is the easy, refreshing snack and side dish your summer cookouts have been missing. Make it ahead with just 5 minutes prep. Another one of the classic Memorial Day recipes.
This carrot rice pilaf is quick and easy to make in one pot. It gets a lot of flavor from sautéed carrots, onion, garlic, herbs, and stock.
There is garlic butter in Hasselback Potatoes, and they are cut in special ways that make the outside crispy and the inside soft.
Lemon Parmesan Green Beans are the perfect side to any entree dinner meal — buttery, lemony, and cheesy. This quick side dish is easy to make in 20 minutes.
Corn on the cob baked in the oven with homemade garlic butter is buttery, juicy, crunchy, and the outside is perfectly charred, and you don’t even need a grill.
These crispy smashed potatoes are the perfect side dish. They’re easy to make, crispy on the outside, tender and fluffy on the inside, and so flavorful.
More Side Dish Recipes
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7 Ways To Make Your Salmon Dinner Better
What to serve with salmon?
Basics like rice, vegetables, or salad work well with salmon, but we have much more too. Here are 55 side dishes to serve with salmon, no matter how you plan on cooking it. We especially love any kind of roasted potato side or a bright potato salad showered with lots of fresh herbs. Melted Parmesan takes these roasted potatoes to a whole new level.
Is eating salmon beneficial?
Salmon is beneficial for health and is part of a healthy and balanced diet. Salmon has vitamin D, healthy fats, calcium, selenium, iodine, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and protein.
What are the best side dishes for salmon?
The best side dishes for salmon should be simple enough to make while the salmon cooks, and deliver plenty of flavor without outshining the beautiful fish. Basics like rice, vegetables, or salad work well with salmon, but we have much more too. Here are 55 side dishes to serve with salmon, no matter how you plan on cooking it.
What salad goes with salmon?
Here’s a delicious salad that pairs perfectly with salmon: Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula and Apples! It’s simple and comes together quickly, but my does it deliver on flavor! The crunch of the apples, creamy goat cheese, and fluffy arugula are the ideal pair for the tangy sweet dressing. Total time: 15 minutes