What Vegetables Go Best with Salmon? 19 Tasty Options

One Pan Salmon and Vegetables is a great recipe for cooking a lot at once or making meals ahead of time for a busy workweek or a big family.

This carb-conscious meal is packed with protein and vitamins and is paleo, keto, and whole30 compliant. Turn it into a sheet pan dinner recipe if you don’t have a casserole dish!.

Picture this: a big casserole dish, a lot of vegetables, and two pounds of salmon. That’s enough food for the whole family (or the whole week).

I mentioned a few months ago I batch cook for myself, typically on Mondays. Cooking once and eating 5 or 6 times is my lazy yet macro-minded approach to food. No fuss, no over-romanizations…just clean, easy meals to keep life simple.

My opinion is that the best way to stick to a healthy eating plan is to choose easy, nutrient-dense meals that you can eat without much thought or work.

I choose a range of vegetables, some of which are high in starch (for carbs and fiber), leaner meats like chicken or turkey, or seafood for an omega-3 boost.

With this simple formula, I get a low-to-moderate carbohydrate diet with a lot of protein and not too much fat.

Even though fat is necessary for good digestion, hormone health, and many other body functions, I try not to eat too much of it because it makes digestion harder after a while. Not to mention, the calories add up quickly.

All of this said, this big batch of salmon and vegetables is my ideal meal prep recipe. It fits all of my macros perfectly (as long as I add brown or white rice on days when I work out hard), tastes great, and is full of vitamins.

Salmon is a versatile and healthy protein that can be paired with a variety of vegetables. Choosing the right sides can enhance the flavor of the salmon while also adding color, texture, and nutrients to your plate. As a seafood lover and home cook I often think about what vegetables go best with salmon.

These are 19 of my favorite vegetable side dishes that go well with salmon. I’ll also give you tips on how to cook and season them. These vegetable sides go great with salmon fillets, salmon cakes, and other salmon recipes, whether you’re making a quick dinner during the week or having people over for a special event.

Why Vegetables Are Great with Salmon

Before we get to the list, let’s take a look at why vegetables go so well with salmon:

Nutrition Salmon is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Pairing it with fiber- and nutrient-dense vegetables makes for a well-rounded healthy meal.
Colors and textures: The pink color of the salmon contrasts beautifully with green veggies. Crunchy or creamy vegetables also provide texture contrast to the soft, flaky salmon.
Salmon has a mild, meaty taste that goes well with a lot of different sauces and seasonings. Vegetables add layers of bright, fresh flavor.
Variety: There are so many ways to cook vegetables! Roasting, sautéing, steaming – the possibilities are endless. Veggie sides provide variety to your salmon dinner.
Satiety: The fiber in vegetables helps you feel fuller compared to eating salmon alone. This can prevent overeating and lead to better portion control.

Next, let’s look at 19 of the best options for vegetarian sides with salmon.

19 Tasty Vegetables to Serve with Salmon

1. Asparagus

Delicate, crisp asparagus is one of the most classic pairings with salmon. To prepare:

Roast or grill spears brushed with olive oil, salt, and pepper
Blanch or steam briefly to retain the crunch
Shave raw over salad with smoked salmon

The elegant look of asparagus also dresses up a special occasion meal.

2. Green Beans

Buttery, versatile green beans go with just about any protein. To cook:

Roast with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper
Sauté in butter or oil with slivered almonds
Steam and top with creamy lemon dressing

Canned or frozen green beans are an easy shortcut, too.

3. Brussels Sprouts

While often roasted, Brussels sprouts can also be:

Shredded and sautéed with shallots and bacon
Thinly sliced and quick-cooked in a skillet
Halved and grilled for a nice char

Brussels sprouts add nutrition and a satisfying crunch.

4. Broccoli

A salmon dinner staple, broccoli can be steamed, roasted, or sautéed. Toppings like lemon, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or tahini dressing add extra flavor.

5. Cauliflower

The mild, nutty taste of cauliflower makes it a comforting pairing for salmon. Try it:

Roasted with garlic, salt and pepper
Riced and cooked like a grain pilaf
Pureed into a silky mashed cauliflower side

6. Carrots

Both starchy roasted carrots and fresh raw carrots complement salmon’s richness.

Roast carrot sticks or coins with honey, thyme, and butter
Shred or ribbon raw carrots for a salad or slaw

7. Kale or Spinach

Leafy greens add color and nutrition. Quick-cook them:

Sauté kale or spinach with garlic and lemon
Wilt into pastas or grain bowls
Add to roasted sheet pan meals

Massaged kale salads are also excellent salmon partners.

8. Zucchini

The mild flavor and soft texture of zucchini allow the salmon to shine. Ideas:

Roast with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan
Grill planks or spears
Saute ribbons or cubes with summer herbs

9. Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potato rounds or wedges pair wonderfully with salmon’s richness. Toss with oil, spices like cumin or curry, and finish with fresh herbs.

10. Eggplant

Meaty eggplant soaks up surrounding flavors. It can be:

Roasted with garlic, tomatoes, herbs
Grilled as planks or in baba ghanoush
Breaded and pan fried into crisp eggplant “steaks”

11. Mushrooms

Earthy, meaty mushrooms add hearty flavor and texture.

Roast whole mushrooms in the oven
Pan fry or sauté sliced mushrooms
Add to risotto or pasta

12. Potatoes

Creamy mashed or crispy roasted potatoes are homey sides for salmon. Or try:

Hasselback potatoes
Fingerlings or new potatoes
Home fries or roasted wedges

13. Beets

Vibrant beets contrast beautifully with salmon. Roast them to bring out their natural sweetness. Or shred them raw onto salads.

14. Red Bell Peppers

The sweet crunch of bell peppers balances salmon’s fattiness.

Roast or grill for smoky flavor
Thinly slice raw and add to greens
Stuff with hearty grains like farro

15. Corn

In summer, cook fresh corn on the cob by grilling, roasting or steaming. The natural sweet corn flavor pairs perfectly with salmon.

16. Green Peas

Another classic salmon side, fresh or frozen peas round out the plate. Dress them up with:

Fresh mint and lemon zest
Crispy pancetta or bacon
Grated parmesan cheese

17. Tomatoes

Cherry or grape tomatoes add a pop of sweetness, color, and texture. Roast them whole or add to salads and salsas.

18. Cucumber

Cool, crisp cucumber balances the salmon’s richness.

Make cucumber salad with Greek yogurt dressing
Mix with dill as a sauce or garnish
Add sliced cucumber to leafy greens

19. Cabbage

Don’t overlook humble cabbage as a salmon side. Give it flavor and crunch by:

Sautéing shredded cabbage with onion
Tossing shredded raw cabbage with lemon dressing
Roasting wedges for caramelized edges

Now that you’ve seen 19 of the best vegetable pairings with salmon, let’s go over some serving tips.

Tips for Serving Salmon with Vegetables

Cook method: Roast vegetables in the oven while broiling or baking the salmon for hands-off ease. Or grill or sauté everything outside on the stovetop.
Seasonings: Lemon, herbs like dill and basil, garlic, shallots all enhance both the salmon and veggies.
Add crunch: Toast nuts or seeds like pine nuts, almonds, or sesame seeds and sprinkle over the finished dish for texture.
Pick a sauce: Yogurt dill sauce, chimichurri, romesco, and tahini sauce all bring salmon and veggies together.
Get creative with sides: In addition to standalone vegetables, try veggie-based sides like risotto, polenta, slaws, or sautéed greens.
Colorful plates: Bright vegetables next to the pink salmon fillet makes for an appetizing, Instagram-worthy meal presentation.

Sample Weekly Meal Plan with Salmon and Vegetable Pairings

Here is a sample week of dinners featuring salmon with creative vegetable pairings:

Monday: Salmon tacos with cabbage slaw and sliced radishes

Tuesday: Broiled salmon with peas, lemon asparagus, and parmesan orzo

Wednesday: Blackened salmon with sautéed zucchini, corn on the cob, and cucumber salad

Thursday: Baked salmon cakes with roasted cauliflower and carrots

Friday: Salmon and vegetable kebabs with bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and pesto dressing

Saturday: Smoked salmon and hash brown breakfast skillet with kale

Sunday: Seared salmon over massaged kale salad with avocado and green goddess dressing

what vegetables with salmon

How to Make One Pan Salmon and Vegetables:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Chop the vegetables and place them in a large casserole dish. Drizzle them liberally with avocado oil (about 3 tablespoons). Sprinkle with sea salt, lemon pepper, dried parsley, and ground ginger. Use your hands to toss everything together until the vegetables are well coated in oil and seasonings.

Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven 25 minutes. Stir the vegetables well and continue baking another 10 minutes.

While the vegetables are baking, slice the salmon into portion size fillets (if they aren’t already). Coat with avocado oil and sprinkle with sea salt, lemon pepper, dried parsley, and ground ginger.

Remove vegetables from the oven after the 35 minutes is up and stir well. Make small wells in the vegetables to make room for the salmon. Put the vegetables and salmon fillets in the casserole dish. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are done to your liking and the salmon is cooked through.

Serve with any additional sides (I suggest Coconut Rice!) and enjoy.

what vegetables with salmon

Swap any of the vegetables. Add vegetables like zucchini, bok choy, cauliflower, yellow squash, butternut squash, and more.
You can use your favorite dried herbs and spices instead of the ones that are listed. Ground cumin, curry powder, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and other spices come to mind.

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FAQ

What does Gordon Ramsay serve with salmon?

Gordon Ramsay’s Fit Food: Grilled Salmon, Garlic Mushrooms & Lentil Salad.

What vegetables go well with salmon?

Some of the best vegetables to pair with salmon are asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, artichokes, peas, and green beans. For a quick side dish, you can make a quick vegetable soup that will go well with salmon. Salmon is a delicious fish that is often paired with other foods. For example, salmon can go well with broccoli, asparagus, and avocado.

What vegetables go well with celery?

Celery is a vegetable with several therapeutic properties and can be used in salads, soups or even eaten on its own. It can be prepared alone or accompanied by onions, nettles, parsley or cabbage.

How do you cook salmon & vegetables together?

Salmon and vegetables baked together in one pan for an easy, healthy and quick dinner. Salmon fillets and fresh veggies rubbed with olive oil, herbs and spices and, baked to perfection. Preheat oven to 400F. In a small bowl mix Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cut zucchini, peppers, and onion into ½″ cubes.

What goes with salmon?

The traditional steak fry you’ll find in a restaurant is deep fried, but they’re easy to make at home baked in an oven. They’re even more delicious, in our opinion! Enjoy them as an easy side dish to go with salmon. Total time: 45 minutes Now that you know what goes with salmon, you might need some more salmon recipes!