Salmon Stir Fry (Easy, Healthy, Weeknight Dinner)

Name: Salmon Stir Fry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ½ lb salmon (cut in bite-size pieces); 1 Tbsp olive oil; 2 Tbsp chopped shallots (chopped small); 2 garlic cloves (sliced thin); 2 Tbsp fresh ginger (chopped small); 1.5 cup broccoli (cut in bite-size pieces); 1 cup carrots (cut in half and sliced thin); 1.5 cup zucchini (cut in half-moons 1/4 inch thick); ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro (loosely packed); 4 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice; 3 Tbsp fish sauce; 1 tsp sugar; red chili flakes (optional); lime wedges (optional)

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If you’re looking for a quick weeknight salmon recipe, try this healthy salmon stir fry that's all done in just 20 minutes. Made with lots of veggies for a lighter stir fry with subtle flavors and a fresh touch from lime juice & fresh cilantro. A complete meal on its own, or serve with a side of rice or noodles.

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Why you will love this recipe
What you need to make it
How to make it
Tips & tricks
Recipe FAQ
What to serve with Salmon Stir Fry
More quick & easy salmon dinner recipes
Recipe

A stir fry is a great way to quickly get dinner on the table. For this version we take healthy salmon, marinate it with fish sauce & lime juice, load it up with veggies, and cook it all with ginger & garlic.

The end result is lighter and subtler in flavor, and the combination of fresh herbs and lime juice gives it a light, fresh, delicious taste.

Why you will love this recipe

It's quick and all done in 20 minutes
It's easy with just a few simple steps
Lighter & less salty than many stir fries...
... but still full of flavor
A meal on its own thanks to all those veggies
Super healthy with just salmon, veggies & fresh herbs

What you need to make it

Ingredient notes & substitutions

Shallots can be swapped for red onion or yellow onion
Olive oil can be swapped for a neutral cooking oil or avocado oil
Cilantro is best fresh but can be swapped for frozen
Lime juice needs to be fresh squeezed
Sugar: I used white sugar; brown sugar & palm sugar are also great
To make it gluten free make sure the fish sauce is gluten free

What salmon can I use?

You can use any type of salmon, wild caught or farmed.

I like to buy a big piece of salmon fillet as its cheaper than individual fillets, use what I need, and then freeze the rest in individual portions.

Possible variations

Make it spicy! Add red pepper flakes just at the end.
Change up the protein! This dish is delicious with chicken as well.
Use different vegetables (bell peppers, sugar snap peas, cauliflower...) - but make sure at least one of them is crunchy!
Add nuts for extra crunch. Peanuts or macademia nuts are great choices.

How to make it

Collage showing how to make salmon stir fry.

Mix together fish sauce, lime juice & sugar in a small bowl and marinate the salmon cubes in half of it. Chill for 15 minutes.
Sauté shallots in olive oil for 2 minutes, then add garlic & ginger. Sauté until fragrant!
Add broccoli & carrots, cook 5 minutes
Add marinated salmon and sear on all sides

Mix in the salmon with the veggies and add zucchini. Stir fry 1 minute.
Add the rest of the sauce
Add cilantro
Mix well, then serve!

Tips & tricks

Cut the veggies small to allow for a quick cook
Cut the salmon in larger pieces to avoid it falling apart too much
Don't marinate the salmon too long or it will fall apart
Keep the temperature low to avoid the shallots & garlic burning
Don't mix too much after adding the salmon, or it will fall apart
This dish is best eaten straight away - but if you want to store leftovers they are good for up to 3 days
Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave
Do not freeze leftovers - they don't turn out well

Recipe FAQ

How do you prevent the salmon from falling apart when cooking?

I don't mind my salmon falling apart a bit while cooking, but I don't want it to fall apart completely. To achieve this, make sure you don't marinate the salmon too long (15 minutes tops!) and stir gently while cooking.

If you want the salmon chunks to stay in one piece entirely you can cook it separately and mix in gently just at the end.

Is this stir fry healthy?

Yes, this stir fry is super healthy since it has basically only salmon, veggies, lime juice & fresh herbs.

What to serve with Salmon Stir Fry

This Salmon Stir Fry is delicious as a meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of rice, noodles, cauliflower rice, or even bread. For more options, check out my complete guide to what to serve with salmon.

More quick & easy salmon dinner recipes

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Salmon Stir Fry (Easy, Healthy, Weeknight Dinner)

Why you will love this recipe