What To Serve With Salmon

What to serve with salmon; look no further, as all of the best side dishes that you could pair with your fish are right here! With everything from simple veggie sides to rice or pasta dishes, as well as potatoes and more you're sure to find what you need! The possibilities are endless so mix and match to create your custom dinner menu!

Ideas For What To Have With Salmon

Salmon is a mild (depending on who you talk to) fish that can be cooked 50 ways - each as good as the last! Whether you like your salmon pan-seared, grilled, oven-baked, or smoked salmon, the perfect side dish is important. And I can help you out with that!

This list is as varied as the ways to serve salmon. I’ve even included some dessert options to round out your meals!

Tender, flaky, and ridiculously delicious salmon can be served up with as many different side dishes as there are methods for cooking your fish!

Jump to:

• Ideas For What To Have With Salmon
• 1. Lemon Orzo Pasta
• 2. Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• 3. Roasted Green Beans
• 4. Parmesan Risotto
• 5. Buttered Noodles
• 6. Roasted Potatoes
• 7. Garlic Green Beans
• 8. Broccolini Salad
• 9. Saffron Rice
• 10. Turmeric Rice
• 11. Vermicelli Rice
• 12. Boiled Baby Potatoes
• 13. Herb-Roasted Carrots
• 14. Sauteed Asparagus
• 15. Steamed Broccoli
• 16. Zucchini Squash Casserole
• 17. Air Fryer Cauliflower
• 18. Rice Pilaf
• 19. Pan Fried Asparagus
• 20. Parmesan Orzo
• 21. Instant Pot Artichokes
• 22. Cheesy Baked Asparagus
• 23. Broccoli & Cheese
• 24. Candied Carrots
• 25. Baked Cauliflower With Cheese
• 26. Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice
• 27. Mashed Potato Casserole
• 28. Instant Pot Acorn Squash
• 29. Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Onions
• 30. Cherry Clafoutis
• 31. Pineapple Bars
• 📖 Recipe Card
• What To Serve With Salmon: Green Salad (31+ of the Best Side Dishes To Make!)
• 💬 Comments & Reviews

You might choose a different option depending on how you’re making your fish. For example, you likely wouldn't serve an Asian-inspired, soy-based marinaded salmon with a Parmesan risotto.

But it would be amazing with my boiled potatoes. Use your judgment, or check out my recommendations below.

1. Lemon Orzo Pasta

This lemon orzo pasta couldn’t be full of more complimentary flavors! Fresh lemon juice and garlic are made for pairing with salmon.

Toss in a little flavorful asparagus, finish it with some cracked black pepper and Parmesan cheese, and you have a memorable meal.

You could highlight any of these by adding extra lemon and pepper to your fish. Or by slicing up your salmon and mixing it in the pasta.

2. Roasted Brussel Sprouts

There’s nothing like the rich, savory taste of roasted brussel sprouts. The beauty is in simplicity.

A little olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a lot of high-temp cooking result in something spectacular.

They’re a perfect side to a simple, buttery lemon pepper or a brown sugar-soy marinated salmon.

3. Roasted Green Beans

Fish cooks fast. Why not pick a side dish that can keep up and taste amazing with your salmon? Roasted green beans take 5 minutes to prep and 25 minutes in the oven.

Few people tend to roast this garden grub, so it makes a unique, garlicky crowd-pleaser. Why not try something new with something familiar?

4. Parmesan Risotto

It’s easy to forget how much flavor a splash of wine can add. A decent white is the not-so-secret ingredient of this mouth-watering risotto.

Mix in an aged Parmesan and throw a little pepper on top, and you have a show-stopping complement to a Parmesan and basil-encrusted salmon.

You might even want to slice up your salmon fillet on top of your risotto for a complete meal.

5. Buttered Noodles

Buttered noodles are amazing comfort food. Tender egg noodles coated in butter and seasoned with salt, pepper, and parsley.

It’s a family favorite that is amazing with salmon, any way you make it. It's a staple side dish in my family, as everyone loves it!

6. Roasted Potatoes

Roasted potatoes are almost universally liked. Garlic, onion, salt, and pepper go well with practically anything. That’s what makes this an excellent go-to side for most main dishes you can come up with.

Try seasoning these tasty spuds with some cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic, and paprika for a powerful flavor you’ll love!

7. Garlic Green Beans

Green beans? Delicious. Garlic? Absolutely. Bacon? No question. All of those things together? A scrumptious side dish to serve with salmon!

Bacon may sound like an unusual pairing with this fish, but the saltiness actually makes it a delicious choice. And, of course, combined with the garlic in the green beans, it creates a flavor that is out of this world!

8. Broccolini Salad

If you’re looking for a lighter option, this fresh broccolini salad is just the thing! It’s a quick and easy raw vegetable base of broccolini, mushrooms, carrots, and green onion with a sesame-soy dressing with notes of honey, chili paste, and ginger. Yum!

As a bonus, it only takes 10 minutes to pull it together! Try this with an Asian-inspired marinade on your salmon.

9. Saffron Rice

It takes a lot of effort to harvest saffron, and it has to be done by hand. I’ve always found this spice to be very special, albeit a bit pricey (but worth every penny)!

Its distinctive flavor might be new for the people you’re serving, as it’s not something we often cook with in the US unless making a celebratory dish from a foreign cuisine.

Try making your salmon with Middle Eastern-inspired flavors to best blend with this dish, perhaps with a drizzle of pistachio oil. As an extra perk, saffron turns anything it’s cooked with yellow so that this rice will be vibrant, colorful, and flavorful.

10. Turmeric Rice

Turmeric also gives the rice a beautiful yellow hue, adding a pop of color to your table. Many chefs say we eat with our eyes first, so why not brighten your pink salmon with gold-tone rice?

It not only tastes great, but turmeric has a lot of good health properties. And the aromatic spices in this recipe will make your whole house smell good.

11. Vermicelli Rice

This vermicelli rice is another neutral side dish with a subtle nutty flavor due to the addition of pine nuts and Basmati rice.

It’s full of flavor, but it won’t clash with anything. However you decide to season your salmon fillets, this rice side dish will blend seamlessly.

12. Boiled Baby Potatoes

The flavorings added to the water you boil potatoes in will seep through the skin and spread flavor throughout.

I use salt, a bay leaf, peppercorns, and whole garlic cloves in this recipe to create outstanding potatoes!

All you have to do is pull them out of the water and add a little butter for a great side dish to serve with salmon.

13. Herb-Roasted Carrots

I’m a big fan of serving vegetables with fish as part of a light lunch or dinner. These herb-roasted carrots will be a hit with anyone who likes to mix up the sweet and savory.

Carrots are a bit sweet, but add some honey, rosemary, or thyme, and you have a winning combination!

14. Sauteed Asparagus

Asparagus goes especially well with fish. It’s always the first thing I think about fixing with salmon.

The buttery taste of the fish works with the grassiness of this vegetable. My recipe goes a step further, adding sweet cherry tomatoes into the mix. The garlic, Parmesan, and herbs are perfect flavorings for the salmon!

15. Steamed Broccoli

Broccoli has a delicious green taste that also balances any salmon dish. If your fish is complex, basic broccoli is exactly what you need.

If you’re keeping it simple, you can amp up the flavor of the broccoli by adding a bit of feta or Parmesan cheese! And the best thing about this recipe is that all it takes is a quick zap in the microwave.

16. Zucchini Squash Casserole

To go all-out, there has to be cheese involved! Zucchini squash casserole fits the bill with beautiful slices of zucchini and yellow squash covered in a garlicky cheese sauce and topped with Italian herbs and panko.

It’s indulgent and full of all the best flavors, perfectly balancing a simple piece of salmon. This is a recipe you’ll want to make over and over again.

17. Air Fryer Cauliflower

This tasty air fryer cauliflower recipe is seasoned to perfection and a wonderful side for any salmon dinner! You'll love how easy it is to make!

18. Rice Pilaf

Another great rice and pasta combo dish that makes a super side dish for lighter fare like salmon! It's a dish your family will want on a regular rotation!

19. Pan Fried Asparagus

Asparagus is still one of my top picks to serve with salmon, and this pan-fried asparagus is just as simple as can be! The minimal ingredients mean the asparagus flavor is highlighted, not overwhelmed!

20. Parmesan Orzo

Tender, tiny pasta cooked to al dente perfection and served in a tasty Parmesan sauce is just what you need to round out any salmon meal!

21. Instant Pot Artichokes

These perfectly cooked steamed artichokes are a family favorite after-dinner snack, but they're amazing whenever you want to serve them!

22. Cheesy Baked Asparagus

If you have picky eaters who avoid veggies at all costs, this simple side dish recipe will be a lifesaver! Cooked in cheese until tender, the asparagus is delicious!!

23. Broccoli & Cheese

This is a well-loved family favorite side dish for practically any meal! My tasty cheese sauce makes tender broccoli florets so good that even the kids will ask for more!

24. Candied Carrots

Simple candied carrots are a recipe that everyone enjoys, and that is super quick and easy to make! The tender carrot slices are a wonderfully tasty side to your salmon dinner!

25. Baked Cauliflower With Cheese

When in doubt, make it cheesy! Just add cheese and bake these cauliflower florets up to tender perfection that the whole family will rave about!

26. Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice

This staple rice side dish goes with literally everything! Cooking up your rice while making your salmon is a snap with this easy pressure cooker method!

27. Mashed Potato Casserole

Mashed potatoes may not be the first side dish you think of with salmon, but hear me out on this. If you cook up your salmon fillets with a heavenly cream sauce, this is the best base for serving the meal!

28. Instant Pot Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is one of my go-to starchy sides for meals, whether I serve it with savory herb and butter or a sweeter filling. This will complement your salmon like you wouldn't believe!

29. Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Onions

Another great side with a hint of sweetness that will pair perfectly with your salmon dish is this roasted sweet potato dish!

30. Cherry Clafoutis

Cherries aren’t necessarily considered complementary to salmon, but this is a family-favorite combo I thought I’d share. Finishing a great meal with an equally tasty dessert is always good; this won’t disappoint you!

Sweet or sour cherries are covered in an eggy custard batter to make an irresistible treat for your sweet tooth.

31. Pineapple Bars

These pineapple bars are a tropical way to end a seafood meal. They’re packed full of fruit and buried under a generous layer of coconut icing.

If you’re not feeling the sand beneath your feet after this, you should really book a vacation!

I certainly hope that you've found some great recipes to make with your salmon dinner here! Be sure to let me know what you loved and what your must-have sides are to be included!

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