Salmon is a versatile and delicious fish that can be the star of any meal. Whether you’re planning a fancy dinner or a casual family meal, pairing your salmon with the right sides, drinks, and desserts can elevate the dining experience. Here’s a guide on what to serve with salmon to help you create a well-rounded and delightful meal.
When I have ordered salmon at restaurants, it is almost always served with vegetable side dishes like broccolini, zucchini, or carrots, It also usually comes with a starchy side of rice or roasted potatoes. While these are always good choices, you are not limited to that.
A nutritious meal at home can be made with a vegetable or side salad, an easy side dish like rice or pasta, a drink, and a dessert or fruit salad.
What are the best side dishes to serve with salmon fillets?
Any of your favorite side dishes will probably pair well with your cooked salmon. If serving a meal to kids or picky adults, you likely want to choose a few different sides to appeal to the whole family. It is all about balance. If a side of macaroni and cheese will help your child try salmon, then that is what is important. If someone in your party has specific dietary needs or food allergies, you should keep that in mind, as well.
Some popular side dishes include sweet potatoes, fingerling potatoes, brussels sprouts, green beans almnondine, or a salad with fresh cucumber slices. All of these are pretty basic ideas, however, so that is why I have collected a few recipe ideas that you can click and read.
What are some delicious ways to cook salmon at home?
Making salmon at home is pretty easy. You can make an impressive dish with air fryer salmon bites, pan-seared salmon, or grilled salmon. There are many delicious salmon recipes that are quick and easy.
What kind of salmon is best to cook at home?
When preparing salmon at home, the type of salmon you choose can greatly impact the flavor, texture, and overall quality of your dish. Here are some of the best types of salmon for home cooking and a few different ways to cook them.
Types of Salmon:
- King (Chinook) Salmon is the one that tends to be more expensive. It has a rich and buttery flavor and high fat content. It is best for grilling, baking, and broiling.
- Sockeye Salmon is strong and flavorful. It is firm with a deep red flesh and best for grilling, smoking, and roasting.
- Coho (Silver) Salmon is mild, but still rich. It is firm and delicate and best for grilling, baking, or pan-searing.
- Atlantic Salmon is mild and slightly sweet with a medium-fat content. It is very versatile, and suitable for grilling, baking, broiling, and poaching.
- Pink Salmon is mild and delicate with a low-fat content. It is used in canned salmon, and baking things like salmon patties.
- Chum (Keta) Salmon is mild and somewhat bland compared to other types of salmon. It is firm with a lower fat content, and best for smoking, canning, and used in dishes like salmon burgers.
Tips for Choosing Salmon:
- Freshness: Look for bright, moist, and firm flesh with no strong fishy odor. Fresh salmon should have a mild sea smell.
- Sustainability: Opt for wild-caught salmon when possible, as it is generally considered more sustainable and has a richer flavor.
- Fillets vs. Steaks: Fillets are more versatile and easier to cook evenly, while steaks are thicker and can be more substantial for grilling.
- Skin-On vs. Skinless: Cooking with the skin on helps retain moisture and adds flavor. The skin can be easily removed after cooking if desired.
Popular Cooking Methods:
- Grilling: Best for King, Sockeye, and Coho. Brush with oil and season before grilling.
- Baking: Suitable for all types. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Pan-Searing: Ideal for Atlantic and Coho. Cook skin-side down for crispy skin.
- Poaching: Best for Atlantic and Pink. Simmer in a flavorful broth until just cooked through.
- Smoking: Great for Sockeye, Coho, and Chum. Use a smoker or grill with indirect heat.
By selecting the right type of salmon and using appropriate cooking methods, you can enjoy delicious and nutritious meals at home. Add a few of these side dishes, a great drink and dessert, and you have a great meal !
What to Serve with Salmon
Sides, breads, drinks, and desserts to serve with salmon
Serve this delicious Instant Pot Roasted Tomato Soup for dinner!
This delicious cilantro lime rice recipe is ready in 15 minutes and is the perfect side dish!
Instant Pot Garlic Knots are so delicious and easy to make! Proof in the IP and bake for a side dish or appetizer for your Italian meals, or a great snack!
Instant Pot Jalapeño Risotto is a decious, easy main meal or side dish, made extra special with extra virgin olive oil!
This healthy side dish features caramelized, tender zucchini and mushrooms brightened with a splash of balsamic vinegar.
Roasted tomatoes are a quick and easy way to add extra flavor into a delicious side dish for salmon.
These crispy smashed fingerling potatoes are creamy and buttery soft with a perfectly crisp exterior.
This salad combines tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese in a summery salad tossed with a red wine vinaigrette.
This simple and healthy steamed zucchini recipe will have you falling in love with this versatile vegetable all over again.
If you’ve never tried a baked Japanese sweet potato before, this simple recipe for sweet, starchy baked potatoes slathered with a simple compound butter and topped with herbs is sure to become a favorite.
Classic garlic butter green beans to serve up as a perfect side dish. These can be prepared in one-pot.
This side dish comes together in 25 minutes and is great next to salmon.
This delicious raw kale salad is full of flavor with a tangy lemon and a bite of cheese.
These Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots are a fabulously delicious side dish perfect for every occasion from a simple weeknight to a fancy holiday dinner.
Quick and easy side dish that accompany salmon well.
A delicious, herbed, cheesy mashed potato casserole.
This is a simple and healthy dish that is perfect as a side dish.
This easy air fryer asparagus recipe is a great healthy side dish to add to any meal.
These tasty root vegetables are an easy side dish that go with really any meal.
Once roasted, the goat cheese and balsamic vinegar (or glaze) take the flavor right over the top!
This mango slaw is perfect for salmon tacos!
Try this zesty Mexican Avocado Salad - creamy avocados, crisp veggies, and a burst of lime. No cooking required!
This Asian carrot salad with oranges and coriander makes an Asian-inspired and easy-to-prepare perfect side dish.
Sautéed rapini is a simple side dish of Italian style broccoli.
Colorful medley of Oven Roasted Vegetables are simple to make, but bursting with flavor.
This light yet comforting and flavorful recipe is a healthier take on classic broccoli salad and is the perfect side dish to any meal.
This is a vibrant lemon rice side dish that goes well with salmon!
Made with zesty lime juice, and spicy ginger, and sweetened with pineapple and honey. This ginger beer mocktail is perfect!
With this Mango Mojito Mocktail Recipe, you can still have all the flavor of a mojito without all the alcohol.
Just like a lemon mint mojito mocktail, this drink is made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, mint leaves, simple syrup, honey and topped with club soda for some fizz.
This homemade cranberry soda is not hard to make and it's a great way to make dinner special.
This Brazilian Grilled Pineapple recipe is great for a dessert or side dish. Juicy fresh pineapple slices sweetened with brown sugar and cinnamon.
This Shirley Temple cake with grenadine glaze is so easy to make! Made with boxed cake mix, it's a treat for all!
Meringue cookies are a sweet, crunchy dessert that is fun to make and to eat!
Samoa Brownies are gooey, sweet, rich brownies topped with caramel and coconut that taste like Samoa Girl Scout cookies!