You may remember my blackened seasoning recipe and this pineapple salsa. This recipe uses both the seasoning blend and the salsa to make a tasty blackened salmon dish that is served over rice.
Also, did I say that this meal is super easy to make and only takes 20 minutes if you have pineapple salsa, blackened seasoning, and rice ready? Yes, it is. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Want to know a secret (not so secret) way I save time? I always have cooked frozen rice from Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods on hand for meals like this. It tastes great and takes only 3 minutes to heat up in the microwave. Easy peasy!.
Blackened salmon is a popular dish that features salmon filets that are liberally coated with a spicy, flavorful cajun or blackened seasoning blend The salmon is then seared in a cast iron skillet which gives it a delicious charred exterior while keeping the interior moist and flaky.
Blackened salmon with its strong Cajun flavors stands out on its own, but it’s best served with side dishes that can balance out and go well with the spices and heat. The right sides will take this meal to the next level!.
This article will show you 7 tasty side dish ideas that go great with blackened salmon, so you can make a restaurant-quality dinner at home.
Why Blackened Salmon Needs the Right Side Dishes
Blackened salmon is intensely flavored from spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and black pepper While this seasoning blend results in big, bold flavor, it can be a bit overpowering on its own
That’s why it’s key to choose side dishes that provide contrasting flavors, textures, creaminess, and brightness. The ideal sides will balance out the heat while also enhancing the best qualities of the blackened salmon.
7 Perfect Side Dishes for Blackened Salmon
Here are 7 side dish ideas that are sure to impress when served alongside blackened salmon:
1. Simple Butter Lettuce Salad
A simple green salad made with tender butter lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and a lemony vinaigrette will give your meal freshness and bright, tangy flavors. The creaminess from the salad’s dressing helps balance the salmon’s spice.
2. Lemon Rice
To make lemon rice, all you need to do is mix cooked white or brown rice with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. The tart, citrusy lemon flavors pair beautifully with salmon. Garlic lemon rice is another great option.
3. Cilantro-Lime Rice
For a fresh, Mexican-inspired twist, try making cilantro-lime rice. Just add a big handful of chopped cilantro and the juice from one lime to cooked rice with a bit of olive oil. The lime cuts through the salmon’s richness.
4. The Kale Salad
Lacinato kale, also called Tuscan kale, adds nutrition and texture alongside healthy ingredients like avocado, chopped hard boiled eggs, bacon, blue cheese, and an apple cider vinaigrette. Creamy and crunchy, this salad complements the salmon well.
5. Skillet Cornbread
A wedge of freshly baked, warm cornbread served alongside the salmon makes for serious comfort food. The cornbread acts as a sponge for the spices and juices from the salmon. Sweet honey butter takes it over the top.
6. Coconut Rice
For a delicious Thai-inspired twist, whip up some coconut rice featuring light coconut milk, ginger, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice over jasmine rice. The coconut milk tames the heat of the salmon seasoning.
7. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Quartered sweet potatoes roasted with olive oil, garlic, and rosemary are a flavorful, colorful, and healthy pairing with salmon. The natural sweetness balances the salmon’s spice.
Tips for Serving Blackened Salmon and Sides
-
Cook your sides first so they are ready when the salmon finishes cooking since the fish cooks quickly once added to the hot skillet.
-
Allow the salmon to rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking before serving. This allows the juices to reabsorb into the fish.
-
Add a sauce on the side like lemon garlic aioli, yogurt dill sauce, or creme fraiche to balance the heat even more.
-
Don’t forget drinks! Iced tea, lemonade, or a crisp white wine make great beverage pairings.
-
Garnish your plate with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro, or green onion. This adds a final pop of color and freshness.
Satisfying and Well-Balanced Meals
Blackened salmon sizzles with intense, robust flavors from the cajun-inspired spice blend used to coat it before searing. Serving it with lighter, brighter side dishes provides the necessary balance that allows all the components of the meal to shine.
The seven side dish ideas in this article will perfectly complement the flavors of blackened salmon, from fresh salads to flavorful rice dishes to creamy, starchy sides like mashed potatoes or cornbread. With the right sides, you can create a restaurant-caliber salmon dinner at home.
What to Serve with Blackened Salmon
This salmon tastes great with rice and my pineapple salsa. The rice and salsa cool down the heat from the blackened seasoning and make the meal so refreshing. That said, this recipe pairs well with so many different sides. Here are some ideas:
What is Blackened Seasoning?
If you’ve never had blackened chicken, shrimp, or anything really, I highly recommend it. Each bite of what could be bland protein tastes great thanks to this trick, and it doesn’t add a lot of fat or calories. It’s just a simple spice mixture that takes the dish up 20+ notches.
And there’s no need to marinate in advance, so you can make this meal on the fly. A lot of the time, I plan to make lunch or dinner and find out an hour before hand that the recipe calls for marinating for 8 hours. Don’t have time for that on the regular!.
With just a few simple spices, I made my own blackened seasoning at home. You can also buy a mix like this Old Bay Blackened Seasoning and use it instead.
- salmon filets: Add salmon to your diet; it’s a great food. It has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids that our bodies can’t make on their own, so we have to eat them. Salmon is also high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and research has shown that it lowers inflammation all over the body. You should get individual filets from your grocery store, but don’t be afraid of frozen filets either. Fish that has been flash-frozen can be just as healthy. If you use frozen salmon filets, just make sure they aren’t frozen.
- olive oil or butter – to sauté the salmon in.
- It’s a tasty mix of paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, sea salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and olive oil.
- pineapple salsa—I love putting my pineapple salsa on top of this salmon. Apple and pineapple go well together because the pineapple is sweet and the blackened seasoning is spicy.
- rice – for serving. White, brown or cauliflower rice all make for great options.
Do you feel ready? If your blackened seasoning isn’t already mixed, put the spices in a small bowl and mix them together. Liberally rub the seasoning on the flesh side of each salmon filet.
Heat oil or butter in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Place the salmon fillets skin-side up in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes. You know the salmon is ready to flip when the meat releases from the pan easily. Turn the salmon over so the skin is now on the pan. Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the salmon is almost done. Just be sure not to overcook the salmon! Overcooked salmon is super dry and not very tasty.
Easy Blackened Salmon Recipe » With Homemade Blackened Seasoning
FAQ
What is a good side dish for blackened fish?
What is a good side dish for Cajun salmon?
Is blackened salmon healthy to eat?