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If you’re wondering what to serve with salmon this evening, you’ve come to the right place. From the easy and quick to the impressive, here are 15 salmon side dishes.
Vegetable Side Dishes for Salmon
If you’ve found yourself mulling over what vegetables go with salmon, you’re not alone. Many home cooks, when at a loss for a side dish, fall back on the easy staple — potatoes. But don’t reach for that potato peeler just yet. Potatoes are a bit too heavy a side dish for salmon. Instead, go with something light, fresh and full of flavor.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a good place to start. If you’ve yet to try sprouts, don’t turn up your nose. While, yes, the veggies are quite smelly and unappetizing when boiled, when roasted, they’re an absolute delight. Isabella, the founder and CEO of Fanatically Food, agrees that roasted is the way to go. She shared her thoughts on why roasted brussels sprouts are the perfect side dish for salmon. “They pair well with salmon due to their nutty and earthy tones, it complements the slightly sweet nature of fresh or cooked salmon as the sprouts are surprisingly sweet also.” Top your roasted sprouts with two other great ingredients — parmesan cheese and garlic — and you’ll never wonder what to serve with salmon again.
While you’re roasting things, give this Roasted Asparagus recipe a try. Brought to you by the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten, and the pros at The Food Network, all you need are two pounds of fresh asparagus, oil, salt and pepper.
If you’ve leveled up and think your cooking skills can handle more than single vegetable side dishes, then try this Shaved Vegetable Salad. The lemony dressing perfectly complements any salmon dish, and it’s filled with fresh veggies like beets, carrots, radishes, fennel and bok choy, for a truly healthy side dish that tastes just as good as it looks.
If you’re looking for something different from the traditional vegetable staples, shake up your routine with this Baby Bok Choy recipe. Loaded with fiber and nutrients, this Chinese cabbage is also super simple to prepare. With a little garlic, ginger and soy sauce, you can wake up your taste buds and feel good about what you’re eating!
If you love pasta but are trying to cut back on carbs, it’s time you tried some zucchini noodles or “zoodles” as they’re called these days. The creamy pesto sauce in this Zucchini Noodle recipe will give you a taste of Italy, without feeling weighed down by extra calories and pasta guilt. All we can say is viva zucchini!
Roasted Cauliflower is not only easy, but it makes the perfect choice for a go-to side dish. In this cauliflower recipe, Paprika and garlic powder transform its blank canvas into a mouthwatering, caramelized morsel. And if you want to go the extra flavor mile, add some parmesan cheese!
For a little something different, do a twist on the classic caesar salad and use kale instead. With a little massaging, some lemon, parmesan and croutons, this cruciferous powerhouse may turn into your favorite new side dish!
If you love risotto but are living a low-carb life, you have to try this keto-friendly Cauliflower Risotto recipe. Switching out the rice for cauliflower not only makes it lighter, but it’s also much faster to prepare. And it’s just as creamy and delicious as traditional risotto!
Related: Banza and Other Traditional Pasta Alternatives
Rice and Other Grain Side Dishes for Salmon
Looking for a complementary rice dish for salmon?
While rice and grain-based side dishes can sometimes be too filling to properly work with a salmon dinner, if prepared correctly, rice and other grains can become fluffy, fragrant dishes worthy of any dinner table.
This Lemon Rice, for one, is refreshingly simple and easy to prepare, and lemon is one of the easiest flavors to pair with salmon. Cook this rice recipe in half an hour as you bake some salmon in the oven and you have a delicious and tasty dinner in a snap.
Herbed Couscous is another option. Combined with more lemon, parsley, red pepper and chicken broth, this versatile grain is simple and savory.
For something a bit more out of the ordinary, you could pair this Farro Salad with your salmon. Farro (an ancient and super-healthy grain) combines with shallots, apple cider vinegar, mustard, honey, arugula, apple, parmesan and pecans just to start, for a salad that’s filled with diverse flavors and textures.
Serving your salmon with a superfood on the side makes for a winning and healthy combination. This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad is packed with refreshing and tasty ingredients like Persian cucumber, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes and a variety of herbs. And, of course, the feta cheese and Italian dressing tie it all together and make your tastebuds say “yum!”
Grilled Salmon Side Dishes
One of the most popular ways to cook salmon is on the grill. Why not make some grilled salmon sides, too? You’ll thank yourself later when the kitchen is clean and there’s nary a pot or pan to clean in sight.
During the summer months, take advantage of fresh corn on the cob and make some Cilantro Lime Grilled Corn. This recipe incorporates two types of peppers, cilantro and lime for a zesty, Mexican-inspired flavor.
If you’ve never grilled broccoli before, you’re certainly missing out. Grilled Broccoli is a great grilled salmon side and all it takes is some broccoli (fresh or frozen), non-stick spray, aluminum foil, butter and the seasoning of your choice. After combining all your ingredients, you wrap up the broccoli in a foil packet and then pop it on the grill where it cooks with no mess.
Similarly, Grilled and Glazed Carrots are a fun way to liven up a sometimes otherwise boring vegetable. Once you’ve had grilled carrots, you likely won’t want to go back to eating them any other way. The caramelization of the sugars as the carrots cook and develop grill marks makes the veggie extra scrumptious.
Green beans almondine is a classic side dish, but have you ever thought of grilling them instead? If you’re going to fire up your BBQ to cook your salmon, just use a piece of heavy-duty foil to cook up these Grilled Green Beans. With flavorful ingredients like chili garlic paste, soy sauce, honey and sesame seeds it will take this classic vegetable to a whole new tasty level.
Easy Salmon Side Dishes
Cooking salmon doesn’t have to be difficult (season, cook in a skillet on medium heat, five minutes per side — voila!), so cooking your salmon side dishes shouldn’t be either. These recipes are 100 percent foolproof.
Pair the light freshness of this Easy Cucumber Salad with salmon and you have a springtime meal that can’t be beaten. You don’t even have to turn on the stove to make the salad and it can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
If you have fresh green beans on hand, some Simple Skillet Green Beans is an easy salmon side dish to have in your recipe repertoire. Within minutes, you can capture the flavors of fresh garden produce, with just one pan and six ingredients.
And, if a tasty salad is calling your name, this Simple Green Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette will satisfy your cravings. Even making the homemade dressing is a breeze!
It’s amazing how a little bit of lemon, garlic and a few other ingredients can turn a simple pasta into a date-worthy side dish. Instead of heavy cream, this Lemon Pasta recipe uses olive oil and a bit of butter for a creamy flavor that won’t overwhelm the bright taste of lemon. We think you’ll love this zingy side dish!
This Cilantro Lime Slaw recipe takes just 10 minutes and can be used as a side dish or thrown on top of a salmon taco for a complete meal! Greek yogurt, lime and fresh cilantro make it extra refreshing and tangy. And if you like a bit of spice, you can also add serrano or jalapeño peppers for an extra kick.
Quick Salmon Side Dishes
Salmon itself cooks rather quickly on the stovetop and these salmon side dishes will cook in about the same matter of time.
With these three recipes in your arsenal and some fresh salmon in your fridge, you really don’t have any excuse not to get a yummy, healthy dinner on the table after a long day of work.
For example, take this 15-Minute Parmesan Orzo. While orzo doesn’t necessarily sound like an easy, quick side dish, this recipe pulls everything together in a matter of minutes. Since it’s a little on the heavier side, it’s also a good choice if you’re putting together a fall or winter meal with salmon as the star.
This 10-Minute Corn Salad is equally addictive. You might even find that it steals the show away from your salmon! It combines everyone’s favorite flavors of bacon, ranch, cheese and garlic for a summery, delicious salad that can be made in 10 minutes and then stored ahead of time. All it takes is one bowl — you could even make this salad right in your serving bowl, for even less clean-up!
So you don’t have 15 or 10 minutes? What about five? Because that’s all it takes to whip up this 5-Minute Parmesan Zucchini. There are only four ingredients and you can even make it in the microwave if it’s simply too warm outside to turn on the stove.
Broccolini may not be as well known as its cousin broccoli, but the great thing about this hybrid is that it cooks a lot more quickly and needs very little prep. Plus, the thin stalks are a lot easier to chew! In this 10-minute Lemon Garlic Sauteed Broccolini recipe, all you need is a saute pan and a few simple ingredients to turn out a healthy and very tasty veggie.
Salmon Side Dishes with Extra Flair
Want to shake up your side dish with a little bit of international flair? These recipes will get you out of your traditional cooking rut and add some welcome and unexpected flavors to your life.
If you’re looking for something a bit exotic, why not bring a taste of Asia to your side dish? The Thai peanut sauce in this Vegan Thai Noodle Salad is to live for! Yes, you’ll have to do a bit of chopping, but the good news is that this crispy salad will hold up in the refrigerator for days. Plus it’s full of healthy veggies like cabbage, carrots and bell peppers. It’s packed with a flavorful punch and a crunch!
We love basmati rice, but when you add a few intriguing ingredients like cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric and dried fruit, it turns into an aromatic side dish with international pizzaz! This Basmati Rice Pilaf with Dried Fruit and Almonds will make you happy that you decided to spice up your life!
Ever thought about serving your salmon with baked feta? We didn’t! But this super simple and tasty Mediterranean style recipe went viral on TikTok for a reason. Cherry tomatoes, garlic and feta cheese make this tangy side dish a great accompaniment to grilled salmon and a way to surprise your dinner guests with something different!
Butter and acorn squash are staples in the US, but this recipe using Japanese pumpkin will help you expand your vegetable horizons. And the addition of maple syrup and ginger gives it a special and flavorful twist.
If you want to shake things up a bit, switch out your classic green salad for this Mexican Street Corn Salad. This lightly creamy and zesty dish utilizes lime juice, smoked paprika, jalapeño and cotija cheese for an authentic south-of-the-border flavor. And to make it extra healthy, you can switch out the mayo for vegan mayo!
Salmon Side Dishes Don’t Have to be Hard
No matter your level of cooking skills or the amount of time you have on your hands, you can put together some delicious side dishes to perfectly complement and round out your salmon dinner.
Still Wondering What to Serve with Salmon?
Remember, salmon side dishes should be light and complement the flavor of the fish. You don’t want anything overly heavy or overpowering. Think crisp, fresh vegetables; light citrus flavors; and mild cheeses. Don’t feel like you have to do something elaborate because you’re cooking a seafood dinner; simple flavors are often best.
You might also be interested in: 36 Easy Recipes To Make-Ahead & Freeze For Busy [Or Lazy] Nights
Best Salmon Side Dishes
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Asparagus
- Shaved Vegetable Salad
- Baby Bok Choy
- Zucchini Noodle
- Roasted Cauliflower
- classic caesar salad
- Cauliflower Risotto
- Lemon Rice
- Herbed Couscous
- Farro Salad
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Cilantro Lime Grilled Corn
- Grilled Broccoli
- Grilled and Glazed Carrots
- Grilled Green Beans
- Easy Cucumber Salad
- Simple Skillet Green Beans
- Simple Green Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette
- Lemon Pasta
- Cilantro Lime Slaw
- 15-Minute Parmesan Orzo
- 10-Minute Corn Salad
- 5-Minute Parmesan Zucchini
- Lemon Garlic Sauteed Broccolini
- Vegan Thai Noodle Salad
- Basmati Rice Pilaf with Dried Fruit and Almonds
- Baked Feta Cheese
- Roasted Kabocha with Maple Syrup and Ginger
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
Sherry De Alba
view postSherry De Alba
Sherry is a freelance writer who worked as an actor before transitioning to an award-winner career in advertising. During a vacation to Mexico, she fell in love and never left. Sherry (aka Cherita) now spends her time bouncing between the US and Mexico writing, running, cooking, meditating and exploring lots of cool stuff on the other side of the wall.
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