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.
As a seafood lover, fried salmon is one of my absolute favorite meals. When breadcrumbs or batter are used to coat salmon fillets and they are pan-fried, the outside gets a beautiful sear while the inside stays moist and flaky. It’s a quick and easy dinner option that feels indulgent.
However, while fried salmon makes a stellar entree, coming up with vegetable side dish ideas to complement it can be tricky. You want sides that balance the fried texture with fresh flavors and colors
If you’re wondering what to serve alongside fried salmon fillets or cutlets, here are 19 of my top savory and sweet side dish recipes to consider
Savory Vegetable Side Dishes
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Roasted asparagus – Toss spears in olive oil, salt, and pepper then roast until caramelized and tender.
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Garlic green beans – Saute chopped green beans in olive oil with garlic, salt, and pepper.
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Broccoli florets: To roast broccoli florets, mix white wine, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes with olive oil.
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Sautéed zucchini: Add zucchini coins to olive oil with fresh herbs and minced garlic.
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Glazed carrots – Simmer peeled baby carrots in butter, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon.
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Creamy creamed spinach – Cook spinach in cream, garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
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Sauteed mushrooms – Saute sliced mushrooms in butter with shallots thyme Madeira wine, and parsley.
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Roasted brussels sprouts – Toss halved brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper then roast.
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Scalloped potatoes – Slice potatoes thin, layer with cream and cheese, then bake until tender.
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Sweet potato fries – Coat sweet potato wedges in oil then bake until crispy.
Cool and Crunchy Side Salads
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Cucumber tomato salad – Toss cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta, and balsamic vinaigrette.
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Apple waldorf salad – Mix apples, celery, walnuts, raisins, lemon juice, mayo, salt, and pepper.
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Greek salad – Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, olives, and feta. Dress with lemon vinaigrette.
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Citrus arugula salad – Toss peppery arugula with orange and grapefruit segments, shaved parmesan, and lemon vinaigrette.
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Kale Caesar salad – Massage kale with classic Caesar dressing, parmesan, and croutons.
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Watermelon feta salad – Mix watermelon, feta, mint, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar.
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Creamy coleslaw – Shred cabbage and carrots then toss in a creamy mayo-based dressing.
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Broccoli bacon salad – Mix raw broccoli florets, crispy bacon, raisins, and creamy dressing.
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Potato salad – Boil then cube potatoes. Toss with mayo, mustard, celery, onion, eggs, and herbs.
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Panzanella salad – Combine tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, basil, stale bread cubes, and red wine vinaigrette.
Perfectly Paired Carbs
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Garlic Parmesan orzo – Cook orzo pasta then toss with olive oil, garlic, and shaved Parmesan.
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Rice pilaf – Saute rice with olive oil, garlic, and seasonings for a flavorful pilaf.
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Buttery mashed potatoes – Boil and mash russet potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper.
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Honey glazed carrots – Roast peeled, halved carrots in honey, brown sugar, oil, and seasonings until caramelized.
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Quinoa tabbouleh – Mix cooked quinoa with tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, mint, lemon, and olive oil.
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Corn on the cob – Boil or grill corn cobs then slather with butter, salt, and pepper.
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Cheddar drop biscuits – Stir together self-rising flour, milk, cheese, and baking powder then bake into biscuits.
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Sauteed bell peppers & onions – Saute sliced bell peppers and onions in olive oil with Cajun seasoning.
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Sauteed green beans – Quickly saute fresh green beans in olive oil with garlic and red pepper flakes.
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Refried beans – Fry pinto beans with onion and garlic then mash lightly.
With so many easy vegetable, salad, and starch side dishes to choose from, you can enjoy fried salmon for dinner all week long without getting bored! Round out the meal with a bright, fresh side to complement the crispy salmon fillets.
Recipe Recommendations
Here are some top-rated side dish recipes I recommend trying with your next batch of crispy pan-fried salmon:
Lemon Garlic Asparagus – Oven-roasted asparagus with lemon and garlic
The Best Broccoli Salad – Creamy broccoli bacon salad
World’s Best Potato Salad – Creamy mayo-based potato salad
Greek Lemon Potatoes – Roasted lemon-herb red potatoes
Green Beans Amandine – Sauteed green beans with toasted almonds
Quinoa Tabouli – Fresh tabbouleh salad made with quinoa
Creamy Parmesan Orzo – Cheesy garlic orzo
Honey Glazed Carrots – Sweet glazed roasted carrots
FAQs About Side Dishes for Fried Salmon
Here are quick answers to some common questions about pairing sides with fried salmon:
What are the best low carb sides for fried salmon?
Great low carb options include roasted non-starchy veggies like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini. Salad greens with vinaigrette are also low carb.
What kind of potatoes go well with fried fish?
Fried salmon pairs nicely with roasted garlic or lemon potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, crispy roasted potato wedges, or quick sautéed potato cubes.
What are good keto side dishes with salmon?
On a keto diet, opt for roasted or sautéed low carb veggies like green beans, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower rice, or cucumber salad dressed in oil and vinegar.
Which veggies pair best flavor-wise with salmon?
Salmon loves veggies with some acidity. Options like lemon-roasted broccoli or asparagus, tangy Greek salad, lemony kale slaw or spinach salad complement salmon well.
What kind of salad goes with fish for dinner?
Tasty salad options include Greek salad, spinach salads with citrus or berries, watermelon feta salad, apple Waldorf salad, and broccoli bacon salad. Vinaigrettes dress salads nicely.
What should you not eat with salmon?
Avoid heavy cream or cheese-based sides, greasy fried foods, or rich comfort foods like mac and cheese or potato gratin. These overwhelm the flavor of salmon.
What bread goes with fried fish?
Fried fish sandwiches are great on toasted brioche, slider buns, ciabatta rolls, or sourdough bread. Lightly toasted pita or naan work well on the side.
Enjoy Delicious Meals with Fried Salmon and Sides
Fried salmon fillets make for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. With flavorful vegetable side dishes, bright salads, and a variety of carbs
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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