Salmon is a true superfood, loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, protein and tons of other nutrients. While there are tons of different ways to prepare this fish, it’s not always easy to find things to serve with it. Here’s the good news: I have 15+ amazing side dishes for salmon that you’ll want to make every time.
1. Lemon Orzo
Lemon is a natural pair for salmon, and orzo is the perfect type of pasta to serve with this fish. But here’s the best part: this side dish takes only 20 minutes total to prepare.
It’s a quick and easy option that you can easily make on a weeknight.
The orzo is cooked in vegetable broth for an extra kick of flavor, while garlic, butter, lemon and spices round out the flavors.
2. Garlic and Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Cheesy. Buttery. Crunchy. These scalloped potatoes are divine, and they’re one of my favorite side dishes for salmon.
You’ll love how versatile the recipe is. You can add whatever type of cheese you want: Gruyere, mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan – go wild.
The recipe itself is super simple, only requiring some sweet potatoes, garlic, heavy cream, milk, spices, cheese and fresh herbs.
But do plan ahead for this recipe, as it takes about 45 minutes to cook.
3. Crispy Greek Lemon Potatoes
These crispy, lemony potatoes will steal the show at the dinner table. And the flavors complement salmon so well.
I like to make these extra crispy and lemony, but feel free to make them whichever way you prefer.
There are so many varieties of potatoes you can use for this dish, but Yukon Gold is our favorite.
Be sure to use fresh lemon juice for this dish. It really makes a difference.
While the recipe calls for roasting in the oven, you can easily use an air fryer to make your potatoes.
4. Creamy Corn Salad
The perfect summer side dish to serve with salmon. The flavors are so fresh, and you won’t have to spend hours hovering over a stove to make it.
All you need is some frozen corn and fresh veggies: red bell pepper, purple onion and jalapeno pepper.
The dressing is easy to prepare, too. You’ll mix Greek yogurt with mayo, spices and fresh cilantro.
Mix it all together, and you’re ready to eat. If you have time, let it chill in the fridge for an hour or so first. This allows the flavors to really blend together.
5. Lemon and Feta Grilled Asparagus
A side dish that’s perfect for spring. The Mediterranean-inspired flavors of this dish will make you want to serve it with salmon every time.
The best part? You only need a few ingredients: asparagus, olive oil, salt and pepper, and a homemade lemon and feta dressing.
Grill the asparagus with olive oil and spices. Then, top with the dressing just before serving. I like to serve this with some lemon wedges on the side, just in case someone wants an extra squeeze of it.
6. Easy Lemon Rice
Bright and zesty, this rice dish is simple yet satisfying. It pairs your favorite long-grain white rice with onion, garlic, lemon zest and fresh herbs.
The whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes, so it’s a quick and light side you can prepare even on a busy weeknight.
The extra lemony freshness will pair well with your salmon, no matter how you prepare it.
Normally, I would suggest that you use any type of rice you prefer, but this dish really does call for white long-grain rice. It cooks faster, too.
Not confident in your rice cooking skills? Try using a rice cooker.
7. Miso Roasted Carrots
One of my favorite side dishes for salmon. These carrots are so easy to make, and the miso gives them an umami flavor that you’ll adore.
I recommend white miso instead of red because it has a milder flavor.
You’ll also need maple syrup, garlic, cayenne pepper, olive oil and salt.
Roast your carrots for about 20-30 minutes before adding your miso glaze. Sprinkle with fresh chives and serve warm.
These carrots are especially tasty if you cook your salmon in teriyaki sauce. We like to add just a small serving of rice to round out our meal.
8. Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
These Brussels sprouts are spicy and sweet – which makes them perfect for serving with salmon.
You’ll love that it only takes 35 minutes to prepare.
This recipe roasts the sprouts to give them a rich and delicious flavor. You can use an air fryer if you want them extra crispy.
Want to add an extra kick of spice? Try adding red pepper flakes or a dash of chili.
These sprouts also pair well with quinoa or rice if you want a more filling meal.
9. Easy Ranch Crack Salad
This salad really is addictive, and the flavors pair so well with salmon. You’ll need lots of ingredients for this dish, but it’s worth the effort to prepare.
The base mixes cucumbers with red onion, bacon, cherry tomatoes, dill, cheddar cheese and chives. The dressing blends buttermilk with sour cream, mayo, lemon juice and a slew of spices.
I recommend preparing this salad ahead of time and allowing the flavors to blend together. If you’re pressed for time, you can chop the veggies and cook the bacon ahead of time.
10. Avocado Corn Salad with Lime Dressing
I love this side dish in the summer when we grill our salmon. It’s such a simple dish, but it’s one that is so rich in flavor.
I highly recommend that you use fresh corn on the cob, but if you can’t find any, canned works just as well.
You’ll also need avocado, fresh cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic and other spices.
The lime juice, garlic and olive oil will be used to make a tasty dressing for your salad. Feel free to add or swap out ingredients as you see fit. This recipe is highly versatile.
11. Savory Lemon Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the more traditional side dishes for salmon. I love this variation because the garlic and lemon are so flavorful.
And this recipe really goes hard on the garlic (4 cloves).
You’ll also need the juice and zest of one large lemon.
Roasting really brings out the flavor of the broccoli, but be careful not to overdo it and char this veggie.
Just before serving, try sprinkling on some Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is best!
12. Crispy Lemon Greek Potatoes
These tasty potatoes are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Lemon adds a zesty flavor, while garlic and fresh herbs make this dish so refreshing.
Remember to use fresh lemon juice. You can even add some zest if you really love the flavor.
I recommend boiling your potatoes first for about 20 minutes. This will get them nice and soft, which helps make that crispy crust on the outside when they roast.
Make sure that you use a large baking sheet so that you can spread your potatoes out evenly.
13. Autumn Pearl Couscous Salad
A tasty salad that’s perfect for cooler weather and pairs perfectly with salmon. For the salad itself, you’ll need pecans, pearl couscous, kale leaves, butternut squash, cranberries and red onion.
The homemade dressing blends olive oil with fresh garlic, honey, pepper, lemon juice, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, mustard and spices.
Feel free to use whatever variety of nuts you prefer. If you don’t like butternut squash, you can use any other type of squash you want: acorn, spaghetti, pumpkin, etc.
14. Crispy Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
A simple recipe that comes together in no time. This dish pairs broccoli with olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and lemon zest.
Quick, easy and delicious.
The recipe calls for frozen florets, but you can use fresh if you prefer.
If you’re dairy-free or vegan, you can use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese or whatever vegan cheese you prefer.
I’ve also roasted a whole head of garlic and squeezed it onto the broccoli. This variation is absolutely delicious.
15. Easy Garlic Marinated Tomatoes
An excellent side dish to serve with salmon because it’s so versatile. I recommend using the freshest tomatoes you can get your hands on for this recipe.
Along with tomatoes, you’ll need garlic cloves, white onion, dill, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and spices.
Mix all of the marinade ingredients together and pour over your tomato slices. Allow them to marinate for at least an hour before serving.
16. The Ultimate Crab Salad
Crab salad and salmon? Why not? They actually pair really well together. And you don’t need many ingredients to make this dish:
- Fresh crab meat
- Veggies – bell pepper and celery
- Mayo
- Lemon juice
- Fresh herbs – dill or parsley
Chop and mix your ingredients together. Whisk the dressing, and pour it over your salad base.
I like to give this salad time to marinate before serving.
17. Easy Pineapple Cucumber Salad
One of the more unique side dishes for salmon, but it’s one that everyone will love. Fresh pineapple chunks, medium cucumbers, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, honey and spices.
That’s all it takes to bring this salad together.
Mix all of your ingredients together and let the salad marinate for about 30 minutes before serving it with your salmon.
