Salmon is such a great, healthy & versatile protein. Easy to make in so many different ways - no wonder it's a staple for many of us. Here you'll find over 35 ideas for what to serve with salmon - no matter how you cook it.
Jump to:
- What flavors go well with salmon?
- What to serve with grilled salmon
- What to serve with Pan Seared Salmon
- What to serve with Oven Baked Salmon
- What to serve with Smoked Salmon
- What to serve with Spicy Salmon
- What to serve with Teriyaki & Asian Flavored Salmon
- What to serve with Fresh & Lemony Salmon
- What to serve with Salmon Tacos
- What to serve with Salmon Burgers
- More guides like this
- Reviews
I love salmon for any occasion: be it a quick weeknight meal or fancy dinner party. And you can probably tell... from Smoked Salmon Pasta to Salmon Risotto, Salmon Tartare and Salmon Pâté - this blog is loaded with salmon recipes!
Salmon can both carry its own with heavier, more flavorful sides and allow lighter, more delicate flavors to shine. I recommend going one of 3 routes:
- The Steak Route: Creamy sauces and starchy sides
- The Veggie Route: Grilled or roasted veggies, or a salad, and maybe a salsa on the side
- The Asian Route: Salty, umami rich flavors, perhaps punctuated by something pickled & high in acidity
Below you will find the best sides for all three.
What flavors go well with salmon?
Salmon goes great with lots of flavors, and you can either add to the heaviness with creaminess or cut through it with acidity. It all depends on your taste!
Below you will find some of the best flavors to combine with salmon.
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Green Beans
- Kale
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Red Onion
- Sweet Potatos
Dried or Fresh Herbs
- Basil
- Dill
- Fennel
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
- Thyme
Seasonings
- Asian flavors such as Teriyaki sauce, sesame oil and soy sauce
- Creamy sauces
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Lemon, lime and other acidic flavors
- Cheese - parmesan cheese, pecorino cheese and ricotta are all delicious with salmon
- Salty flavors such as soy sauce, miso and capers
- Sweet flavors such as brown sugar, honey and maple syrup
- White wine
What to serve with grilled salmon
Grilled salmon loves summery flavors like asparagus, lemon and roasted potatoes. But really it all comes down to how you're seasoning your salmon.
Matching the flavors of the seasoning with the sides is always a good idea, but especially important if you are using a very flavorful seasoning.
What to serve with Pan Seared Salmon
Pan Seared Salmon fillets are a bit heavier than grilled salmon, which you can either play into with heavy "steak type" sides or lighten up with acidic components. Or why not do both at the same time?!
What to serve with Oven Baked Salmon
Just as for grilled and pan seared salmon, what's best to serve with baked salmon depends on the seasoning.
These options go great with most flavors, but I've also included some specific tips for Lemony Salmon like Lemon Pepper Salmon and Asian Style Salmon like Teriyaki Salmon (click link to go straight to those options).
What to serve with Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon is salty and delicious. You can have it as it is on a bagel or a piece of toast, or serve with one of the options below for a full meal. The saltiness of smoked salmon goes great with acidic flavors.
What to serve with Spicy Salmon
For spicy salmon think creamy flavors to soothe the spiciness, or flavor packed side dishes that can hold their own against the spice. A dose of sweetness and/or acidity is also great to balance the spiciness.
What to serve with Teriyaki & Asian Flavored Salmon
For Asian flavored salmon like Furikake Salmon, think Asian flavored side dishes. If your salmon is seasoned with a lot of salt (for example, if you're making Teriyaki Salmon) a side high in sweetness and/or acidity will pair beautifully.
What to serve with Fresh & Lemony Salmon
Fresh & lemony salmon dishes like Lemon Pepper Salmon love fresh & lemony sides.
What to serve with Salmon Tacos
Salmon Tacos can be made in a million different ways - I recommend always having one salad or slaw type component and one sauce or salsa. Below are a few great additions for your next taco night!
What to serve with Salmon Burgers
Salmon burgers are a great way to mix it up, and delicious when served with classic burger toppings and sides or sauces and sides you'd more commonly see with fish.
Shelley
I make salmon several times a month, in all different ways - this is such a wonderfully idea-packed guide for new inspiration! So many great recipe ideas!!!
Alison @foodbymars
This roundup has me drooling!! Can’t wait to try so many sides with my next salmon dish. Thanks for including my Greek lemon potatoes♥️
Gavin
Wow - this has to be the most comprehensive list for what to serve with salmon on the interweb!! So many amazing options. Pinned and bookmarked for future salmon cooks. It’s everything I need and more to make the perfect meal for the family