Poached salmon is a delicate and light dish that needs side dishes that are just as flavorful and go well with it. Poached salmon goes well with many things because it is mild and has a smooth, flaky texture. You can make poached salmon the star of a filling meal with a lot of different foods, from fresh vegetables to hearty grains.
In this article, we’ll explore 21 of the tastiest side dishes to serve with poached salmon. With the right sides you can turn poached salmon from basic to beautiful. Let’s get cooking some delicious meals!
Bright, Fresh Salads
Salads make excellent pairings for poached salmon. Along with the soft salmon, the tangy dressing and crunchy vegetables make a great contrast.
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Kale salad: kale that has been massaged and mixed with fruits like apples or blueberries makes a healthy side dish. Toss with a lemony vinaigrette.
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Broccoli slaw – The crispy broccoli florets and shredded carrots in broccoli slaw add great texture Dress it with a creamy, acidic dressing.
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Caesar salad – This classic pairs so well with salmon. The creamy, eggy dressing and salty Parmesan echo the richness of the fish.
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Spinach salad – Baby spinach, tangy feta and olives, toasted nuts, and a red wine vinaigrette create a delicious salad.
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Greek salad – The briny feta, olives, tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers in a Greek salad make it a fantastic pairing for poached salmon.
Hot Vegetables and Grains
Warm vegetable dishes and grains perfectly complement poached salmon’s smooth delicacy with their hearty textures.
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Quinoa – Fluffy quinoa tossed with herbs, garlic, and lemon zest makes a nutritious bed for the salmon.
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Brown rice – Nutty brown rice is delicious with sautéed veggies like peas, carrots, peppers, and onions.
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Roasted vegetables – Roasting brings out delicious sweetness in vegetables like Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and cauliflower.
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Sautéed greens – Quick-cooking greens like spinach, kale, Swiss chard, or bok choy sautéed with garlic and olive oil.
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Roasted potatoes – Crispy roasted potatoes seasoned with rosemary and garlic are a tasty, starchy side.
Crisp, Fresh Vegetables
For contrast in texture, try poached salmon with fresh, crunchy vegetables prepared simply.
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Asparagus – Quickly sautéed or roasted asparagus spears make an elegant accompaniment.
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Green beans – Blanch green beans until just tender-crisp and dress with olive oil and lemon.
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Sugar snap peas – A bowlful of raw snap peas adds a refreshing crunch and pop of color.
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Cucumber salad – Thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in a light vinaigrette provide a cool contrast.
Crowd-Pleasing Carbs
Heartier carb sides fill out the meal and complement poached salmon’s richness.
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Risotto – Creamy Parmesan risotto is a classic pairing for salmon. It beautifully absorbs any sauce or pan juices.
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Pasta – Toss roasted veggies with whole wheat pasta. The salmon can be served over top for a one-pot meal.
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Mashed potatoes – Creamy, buttery potatoes are hard to resist with poached salmon.
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Couscous – Pearl couscous or Israeli couscous cooked in broth makes a more interesting side.
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Polenta – Creamy, cheesy polenta is substantial yet delicate enough for poached salmon.
Simple Sauces and Condiments
Poached salmon needs little enhancement, but sauces can provide a burst of extra flavor.
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Yogurt dill sauce – Mix Greek yogurt, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper for an easy creamy sauce.
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Hollandaise – Buttery hollandaise is a classic accent for poached salmon.
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Chimichurri – This fresh Argentinean green sauce with parsley, garlic, and olive oil adds lots of flavor.
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Pesto – Swirl pesto into Greek yogurt for an easy sauce pairing.
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Mustard – Grainy Dijon or whole seed mustards can provide a tangy accent.
What to Drink with Poached Salmon
Picking wines, cocktails, or other beverages to go with poached salmon completes your dining experience. Here are tasty choices:
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Pinot Grigio – This light, crisp white has citrus notes that match the salmon well.
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Sauvignon Blanc – The grassy, herbal flavors and zippy acidity of Sauvignon Blanc complement the fish.
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Rosé – Dry rosés offer nice middle ground between whites and reds. Their berry flavors pair beautifully.
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Light reds – Lighter style Pinot Noir, Grenache, or Sangiovese reds work with the richness of salmon.
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Sparkling wine – Bubbly wines like Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne make fantastic pairings. Their acidity cuts through the richness.
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Cucumber cocktails – Drinks like Pimm’s Cup or cucumber gimlets offer refreshing, herbaceous notes.
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Iced tea – Unsweetened tea, green tea, mint tea, and fruit teas make thirst-quenching matches.
With poached salmon’s universally appealing flavor, you have lots of options for fantastic side dishes. Use seasonal produce and whole foods to create meals that nourish as well as satisfy. With these tasty pairing ideas, your poached salmon dinners will be memorable.
Garlicky Greens
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Try salmon with some garlicky braised or broiled greens and you may never go back. I can’t remember how many times I’ve served it with just charred asparagus spears grilled with lemon and cheese, or with their softer braised cousins.
While asparagus is often served with salmon, this dish of bacon-braised string beans or some spicier Sichuan-style dry-fried green beans can also be really tasty. Or keep things ultra-simple and give some braised long beans with tomato and garlic a shot. I also like a quick sauté of bitter greens like collards, broccoli rabe, or swiss chard. All you need is some olive oil, garlic, and lemon juice to make a side dish that goes well with salmon.
The Best Side Dishes for Salmon
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There is no wrong answer when it comes to salmon and salads. For a simple dish, serve it on a bed of arugula and avocado. But if you want to try something new, forget the saying that says you shouldn’t mix fish and cheese. Salmon actually goes really well with dairy, as long as it’s tart or tangy and served in moderation. Think a blue cheese and bacon-smattered iceberg salad or some salty curls of Parmesan in a classic Caesar. It’s summer, so there are lots of vegetables to choose from. For a sweet and sour dish, try quinoa and vegetables mixed in olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Theres also a lot to be said for salmon and corn. It’s fine to eat regular grilled corn, but I find it too sweet. You can use elotes (Mexican street corn) instead because it has a sour cream and mayo layer on top of it, along with chili powder and Cotija cheese. But I often prefer to slice the corn off the cob entirely and give it a punchy dressing. You can grill it and toss it with herbs, feta, and tomatoes, or you can eat it raw with shiso, radishes, and cucumber.
Another great side dish for salmon is panzanella and pasta salad (but not mayonnaise-based, please). The bread or noodles give the salad more substance and stick to the dressing for a bright and filling side dish that combines almost all of your food groups in one simple bowl.
Easy Poached Salmon
FAQ
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