When salmon is on the menu and you’re not sure what to serve with it, check out my hand-selected list of 16 sides for salmon. We’ll go over the best flavors to go with this favorite protein. Whether it’s creamy risotto, snappy asparagus, or sheet pan veggies that call to you, we’ve got it all!
Our goal at Healthy Seasonal Recipes is to help you get a healthy dinner on the table, even on busy weeknights! Salmon is a favorite protein around here because it is healthy and fast! Start planning your menu for this week by checking out our salmon recipes and choosing your favorite (this is arguably our best salmon recipe, but the choice is yours!) and then cuise our line-up below of 16 side dishes for salmon.
Chef’s Picks: What Tastes Good With Salmon?
- In culinary school we learned that pairing richer fish with rich tasting sauces and side dishes is an easy win. Salmon loves dairy!! Try it with our healthier versions of classic buttery and creamy sauces like hollandaise , garlic yogurt aioli or our dill cream sauce for salmon.
- Salmon is a higher fat fish with a moderate amount of fresh fish flavor. So it is great with strong tastes like citrusy lemon and salty capers.
- Healthy pairings that go with salmon are fresh herbs, smoky spice and and naturally earthy flavors.
- Soy sauce and umami Asian-inspired sides are super yummy with salmon.
- Lentils are particularly delicious with this fatty fish! Our Lentils with Bacon is our top pick if you don’t have time to look over the below list.
Healthy Tip: Not only is salmon delicious – it’s also known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol because omega-3 fatty acids are good for the heart!
Seasonal Note: Salmon is great year round! We love Fresh Alaskan King Salmon during the summer months, just in time to fire up our grills! Try our Cedar Plank Salmon on the grill. You can find sustainably sourced salmon by checking out the Monterey Bay Aquarian Seafood Watchwhich publishes up-to-date recommendations for sustainable seafood in your area.
Side Dishes For Salmon
This mouthwatering lentil dish is made with French green lentils and a simple vinaigrette tossed with succulent bacon. The sour dressing and smoky bacon taste incredible alongside a fatty salmon fillet!
This steamed broccoli is one of the easiest ways to jazz up a simple vegetable side dish! Garlic and lemon flavors make the broccoli truly pop! This naturally gluten-free and low-carb side dish is beloved by adults and children alike.
Photo Credit:
www.foodiecrush.com
This fresh take on Nicoise salad omits the tomatoes and tuna to let the potatoes truly shine! Enjoy this easy-to-make potato salad that’s both nourishing and bursting with flavor.
These Asian-inspired green beans are steamed green beans that are quickly stir-fried in an umami mixture of garlic, finely chopped shiitake mushrooms and fermented black beans (which are fermented and salted black soybeans). The bold salty and slightly pungent flavors are matched perfectly with the rich flavors of salmon. Try it with our Maple Glazed Salmon for a flavor party!
This Black Lentil Salad is so easy to whip together and it’s full of fresh Mediterranean flavors! Just toss the lentils with dressing, cucumbers, spinach, and feta for a bright summer side dish to enjoy alongside your salmon.
This is about to be your new go-to way to cook Swiss chard! This post will explain how to cook the leaves and stems, as well as how to flavor them to complement your main course. Don’t avoid this colorful veggie because it’s unfamiliar – it’s too good to pass up!
Photo Credit:
diethood.com
One pass through your lips and this risotto will steal your heart! The lemon and parmesan flavors combine with shallot, garlic, and fresh green asparagus to create the creamy risotto of your dreams. Serve this alongside your main dish for a truly gourmet meal.
Who doesn’t love a good Salmon Caesar when you go out to eat. No need to wait for your next date night! This super easy Caesar salad dressing recipe will be ready in as little as 5 minutes! Drizzle it over your greens and top with crispy seared salmon filet for a restaurant-worthy Salmon Caesar salad!
In only 15 minutes you’ll be able to enjoy the perfectly crisp-tender texture that makes asparagus oh-so-good. Throw it on the grill for a little charred flavor alongside your salmon!
This tasty quinoa salad is the summer dish you’ve been waiting for! It’s healthy, easy, and popping with flavor. Enjoy quinoa tossed with cucumbers, feta, and olives for a side dish full of Mediterranean flavor and texture.
Photo Credit:
www.spicesinmydna.com
This orzo salad is hearty and full of texture! The whole wheat orzo is mixed with maple-roasted butternut squash, kale, feta, dried cherries, toasted almonds, and so much more! Make it ahead of time for an easy weeknight dish!
There are few recipes as simple as this sauteed spinach! In the blink of an eye, you’ll have a simple – yet elegantly flavored – leafy green on your table to complement your meal.
Roasted veggies are such an easy and nutritious side dish for any meal. This post will teach you the appropriate temperatures to roast certain veggies – and how long they take to roast to perfection!
A hot summer day calls for a cool and delicious Greek cucumber salad! You can throw together the cucumber, feta, olives, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with a simple homemade dressing. In under 15 minutes, you’ll have a crunchy and summery side dish!
Photo Credit:
littleferrarokitchen.com
This simple Israeli couscous salad is full of vibrant colors and flavors! The roasted veggies are warm and satisfying when paired with the couscous, and it makes a fulfilling side dish.
This shaved Brussels spouts salad with lacinato kale, lemony dressing and crisp apple is a delicious change of pace from a traditional lettuce salad. The bright acidity of the lemon and garlic dressing pair great with the buttery salmon.
More For Salmon Lovers
Whether you’d like some tips on how to prepare salmon, or you want to dress it with some creamy sauce, we’ve got you covered! Here you’ll learn how professionals remove salmon skin before cooking, and all the equipment you may need in the process! Plus, don’t forget to read about how to make both dill and hollandaise sauce so you can take your fish to the next level.
At Healthy Seasonal Recipes, we specialize in cooking with fresh veggies and creating weeknight meals. Sign up HERE to get more produce-forward dinner ideas for FREE! If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought! Happy Cooking! ~Katie
About the Author
Katie Webster
Katie Webster studied art and photography at Skidmore College and is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute. She has been a professional recipe developer since 2001 when she first started working in the test kitchen at EatingWell magazine. Her recipes have been featured in numerous magazines including Shape, Fitness, Parents and several Edible Communities publications among others. Her cookbook, Maple {Quirk Books} was published in 2015. She launched Healthy Seasonal Recipes in 2009. She lives in Vermont with her husband, two teenage daughters and two yellow labs. In her free time, you can find her at the gym, cooking, stacking firewood, making maple syrup, and tending to her overgrown perennial garden.
