Did you know that salmon is one of the easiest fishes to cook?
Due to its low fat contents, and the fact that most filets are roughly the same size, salmon doesn’t require a lot of effort to prepare and cooks very fast.
This is what makes it such a great evening meal, especially on those days when you are tired from work and need a quick and easy dinner.
But what to have with it? Thanks to its fast cooking time, and unique flavor, there are lots of excellent side dishes that you can prepare to go with a healthy plate of salmon.
Today, we will be showing you some of the best side dishes that go beautifully with a filet of salmon.
1. Roasted Parmesan Rosemary Potatoes
Roast potatoes go well with nearly anything, and salmon is no exception.
These potatoes are flavored with rosemary and Parmesan cheese, for a herby taste that goes perfectly with fish.
The outside is deliciously crispy and cheesy, while the middles are fluffy and soft.
Since they only take about 45 minutes to cook, if you put these potatoes in the oven before you start preparing your salmon, they should both be done at the same time.
We recommend adding salt to the potatoes after they have cooked to make the outsides as crispy as possible.
2. Cilantro Lime Rice
Rice is another great, simple side that goes wonderfully with salmon.
Flavored rice is even better, especially if you use seasonings that go well alongside fish.
This cilantro lime rice is delightfully piquant with a refreshing citrus edge (see also ‘25 Lime Recipes That Are Full of Flavor‘).
It is completely vegan and will work well with a variety of other dishes as well as salmon.
Since it only takes about 25 minutes to make, it should be done just in time for you to enjoy a delicious salmon dinner.
3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts have a bit of a bad rep when compared to other vegetables.
However, this is often because they are boiled, and cooked for way too long until they become soft and mushy.
When prepared properly, these little miniature cabbages are very tasty with a satisfying crunch in every bite.
This recipe teaches you how to roast brussels sprouts in olive oil until they are just right.
With a generous sprinkling of black cracked pepper and table salt, these sprouts make a great companion for a salmon filet.
They taste even better with a splash of lemon juice added after they have finished cooking.
4. Air Fried Asparagus
Air fryers (see also ‘34 Best Ninja Air Fryer Recipes‘) are a great way to enjoy fried food, while making them much healthier.
These devices work by blasting hot air around your food, which is covered beforehand in a very thin film of oil.
Since these fryers are so effective, this asparagus will be done in a matter of minutes, making it a quick and easy side dish for eating alongside salmon.
It is seasoned with garlic and classic Italian herbs including basil, parsley and rosemary.
These asparagus tips are tender and beautifully crunchy, with all of their natural goodness preserved by the air frying process.
5. Thai Noodle Salad With Peanut Sauce
If you are looking for something a bit more exotic, why not add an Asian twist to your salmon dinner with this noodle salad.
It is packed with delicious veg including red cabbage, radish and carrots for plenty of nutrition and flavor.
To complement the seafood theme of your meal there are also chopped scallops (see also ‘30 Best Scallop Recipes‘)mixed in seasoned with cilantro, basil and finely chopped jalapeños.
As well as crushed peanuts mixed in with the salad, this recipe also teaches you how to make a traditional Thai peanut sauce.
Containing ginger, soy sauce and garlic, this sauce has a unique sweet and sour taste that goes great with salmon.
6. Furikake And Lemon Shishito Peppers
These are a special Japanese type of pepper (see also ‘22 Different Peppers To Include In Your Meals‘) that offer a brilliant spicy kick that makes them excellent as a side dish.
They are lightly shallow fried in diced garlic and furikake for an even stronger taste that goes great with fish.
Furikake is a type of seaweed that is known for a sweet and nutty flavor.
This makes it a great companion for the peppers, which are beautifully juicy when lightly fried.
To finish them off, these peppers are covered in a splash of lemon juice for a citrus edge that marries the sweet with the spicy.
7. Buttery Garlic Green Beans
The best side dish for a salmon dinner is something green that helps to balance out the rich flavors of the fish.
These garlic butter green beans are an excellent choice since they are very simple to make and absolutely delicious.
Toss the beans in melted butter, minced garlic and lightly fry or sauté them until they are nice and tender.
In a matter of minutes, you will have a succulent side dish that will perfectly compliment your salmon.
Add a sprinkling of lemon juice at the end for that extra citrus zing if you want to really take these beans to the next level.
8. Lemon Kale Salad
Kale is a super food that is packed with vitamin C and selenium, both of which have been proven to boost your immune system.
It can also help to support bone growth and combat the risk of several types of cancer, making it an excellent addition to your diet.
If you have tried kale before and don’t know how to make it taste good, then this is the recipe for you.
This recipe requires shredded kale and halved cherry tomatoes for the main body of the salad.
These are doused in a generous helping of lemon dressing that contains Parmesan cheese, olive oil and black cracked pepper.
9. Garlic Bok Choy
Bok choy is a type of loose-leaf Chinese cabbage that is very rich in nutrients and flavor.
Its strong taste makes it a great dish for serving alongside fish, especially since it takes flavor very well.
In this recipe, the bok choy is lightly fried in a large wok along with Soy sauce, crushed garlic, and shallots.
Alternatively, if you don’t have a wok, you can steam your bok choy for roughly three minutes until it is tender.
Afterwards, simply add the spices separately, and you will have a sumptuous side dish.
10. Pan Fried Potatoes With Herbs
These pan fried potatoes are very easy to make, and it is likely you already have most of the ingredients for them in your kitchen.
This recipe is an excellent choice if you have a lot of those small, waxy baby potatoes, that are just too small for roasting.
All you need to do is toss your potatoes in the oil, salt and herbs before pan frying them in a large skillet.
You want to keep the lid on your skillet while you cook your potatoes for roughly 15 minutes.
After this, you should take the lid off to let any excess moisture escape and lightly press your potatoes into the skillet with your spatula.
This will create nice, crispy outer skins that are infused with the flavor of the rosemary, pepper and salt.
11. Creamy Mushroom Risotto
Risotto makes a great side for accompanying salmon since it has a nice creamy texture.
This mushroom risotto is perfectly creamy and isn’t too sloppy like other risotto recipes.
The rice has a great texture and there are thin slices of chestnut mushroom mixed in for the added bite.
This recipe takes a fair bit of prep and cooking time, but if you start it before you begin prepping your salmon, they should both be done at the same time.
Chicken broth and parmesan cheese are used to flavor the rice and add to the beautiful texture of this dish.
12. Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
If you are looking for a side that takes minutes to make and is very healthy, then look no further.
This simple salad can be ready to eat in just ten minutes, and it is packed with nutritional goodness.
You can cut the veg as large or as fine as you want, and there is nothing stopping you adding other veggies such as red bell pepper, spinach or onions.
The chopped avocado is deliciously smooth and takes on the flavor of the cilantro and lemon juice beautifully.
Finally, the whole salad is sprinkled with black cracked pepper to give it a nice punch that will go great with the salmon.
13. Sugar Snap Peas
Just like green beans, sugar snap peas are a tasty, crunchy and nutritious side that goes great with a large variety of meals.
Just like salmon, they don’t take long to cook and can make a great addition to a lazy dinner if you aren’t in the mood to cook.
For this recipe you will need to saute your green beans in butter to bring out their sweetness and make them extra crunchy.
Once they are nice and tender, the beans are tossed in a mixture of spices and olive oil.
The recipe recommends using cayenne pepper, black cracked pepper and salt for a pleasant spicy kick.
14. Maple Roasted Kabocha Squash
This is a great, autumnal side dish that goes beautifully with a lot of different meals, including salmon.
However, in order to make it, you will need to visit your local Asian food store and see if they have any Kabocha squash, or Japanese pumpkin, available.
All you need to do is slice the squash into thin strips and toss them in maple syrup, olive oil, salt and pepper.
After this, you roast the squash for 35 minutes, during which time you can prepare your salmon.
15. Zucchini Noodles With Pesto
Noodles and pasta make a great choice for accompanying salmon, and these noodles are even better because they are healthy.
Made from sliced zucchini strips, these noodles are bathed in homemade pesto.
It will help to have a food processor for making the homemade pesto, however if you have enough patience you can probably still make it with a handheld blender.
The noodles themselves only need to be cooked for 15 minutes before they are ready to serve alongside your salmon.
16. Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
The carrots offer a great combination of sweet and sour flavors that will go beautifully with salmon.
They also only take 25 minutes to cook, so you get your timings right they should be done at the same time as your fish.
All you need to do is chop the ends of the carrots and peel them before lightly sautéing them in honey and butter.
Once the carrots are tender, you can throw them in the oven with a sprinkling of garlic and pepper as the final touches.
17. Harvest Salad With Quinoa And Arugula
Quinoa is another super food that was known as the ‘Mother Grain’ by the ancient Incan’s.
It can help with lowering blood cholesterol levels, and contains lots of fiber for good digestion.
In this recipe, quinoa is combined with shredded goat’s cheese, baby arugula, dried cranberries (see also ‘Can You Freeze Cranberries?‘) and chopped walnuts.
This creates a flavorful, and healthy side dish that will make a great piquant side dish for salmon.
18. Lemon Garlic Pasta
As we said above, pasta can make a great neutral side dish to go alongside salmon, although you don’t want it to be drenched in a sauce that is too rich.
This lemon garlic pasta is beautifully piquant, and the citrus element it brings to your meal is a great companion for fish.
This spaghetti side dish is very easy to make and seasoned with all kinds of exciting herbs and spices.
These include red pepper flakes, chopped parsley, minced garlic and of course a healthy sprinkling of lemon juice.
19. Miso Butter Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes already make a simple, and tasty side dish for salmon, but these miso butter mashed potatoes take things to a whole new level.
The recipe recommends using Yukon gold potatoes for a buttery, smooth taste and texture that is unlike any other mashed potatoes you have tried.
A single teaspoon of miso paste is all you need to give these potatoes a new dimension that is salty and very savory.
There is also sage, garlic and ground pepper added for extra seasoning and to bring out the flavor of the miso paste.
20. Lemon Butter Broccolini
These broccolini stalks take less than half an hour to prepare and cook, which makes it a great side for a quick and easy dinner.
You can also try this recipe with florets of regular broccoli as well, just make sure to cut them small enough that they will roast quickly.
This side dish is rich in vitamin C and calcium, both of which are very good for bone development.
The combination of crushed garlic and lemon juice provide a strong flavor that pair very well with salmon and other types of fish.
21. Oven Roasted Corn On The Cob
Corn on the cob is a great side dish for any large meal, especially because it requires basically no prep work.
For this recipe, the corn is smothered in homemade garlic butter and black cracked pepper before being placed in the oven to roast.
In order to get the corn extra juicy, it will help to have an oven that has a broiling function.
This will help to make your corn deliciously tender and full of all the flavor from the garlic butter.
Serve with a small pat of butter on top of the hot corn for a tantalizing side dish.
22. Asian Coleslaw
This Asian style coleslaw is nutritious, tasty and unlike other coleslaw recipes isn’t drenched in mayonnaise.
Instead, it incorporates a homemade sesame sauce that tastes way better than mayo, and is better for your health as well.
The salad part of this dish is made up of green and red cabbage, along with julienned carrots and red bell peppers.
Meanwhile, the sesame sauce only requires a handful of specialized ingredients and adds a rich, nutty flavor to the coleslaw.
This is a great healthy side dish for going alongside salmon that takes a matter of minutes to throw together.
23. Vegetable Wild Rice
With onions, celery, carrots, mushrooms and much more, this vegetable rice makes a great side dish for any kind of meal.
It is simple to put together once you have prepped the vegetable and can sit cooking on your hob while you work on your salmon.
The recipe recommends adding rosemary and sage to your rice, but you can easily incorporate other herbs and spices should you want to.
Other seasonings that work well include basil, thyme and cayenne pepper if you are looking to add a bit of spicy kick to your meal.
24. Lemon Herb Couscous Salad
Couscous is an alternative to rice that is exceptionally easy to cook and very tasty when prepared properly.
It has a very neutral flavor that means you can add all sorts of exciting ingredients to go with it.
This couscous salad includes chopped cucumber and tomatoes as well as a large selection of herbs.
Parsley, cilantro, mint and dill all combine with lemon juice and toasted walnuts to create a delicious side that is sure to impress your friends and family.
25. Creamy Cucumber Salad
This is another incredible simple side dish that you can prepare in a matter of seconds.
However, you do need to leave it in the fridge for an hour to let the flavors infuse, so bear that in mind while you are planning out your meal.
Thankfully, the prep work only requires slicing up a cucumber and drenching the slices in sour cream, mayonnaise and white vinegar.
Other seasonings such as crushed garlic, red onion and black pepper are also added to make a delicious cucumber salad that is perfect for hot days.
26. Sautéed Mushrooms With Garlic And White Wine
Mushrooms are full of protein and can be seasoned any way you want for a simple and versatile side dish.
These decadent mushrooms are lightly sautéed in garlic butter, and white wine for a rich flavor that is perfect for accompanying seafood.
Since they are sautéed, a lot of the natural goodness in the mushrooms is preserved, and they are deliciously tender with plenty of bite.
Once they are done you can add salt and pepper to taste along with a dash of cayenne pepper if you are a fan of spice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Health Benefits Of Eating Salmon?
Salmon is high in protein and mono-unsaturated fats, which are one of the healthy types of fat that your body can easily process.
It also contains various vitamins and minerals, including Omega-3, which is great for lowering blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart disease.
Why Does Wild Salmon Cook So Fast?
Wild salmon contains far less fat than salmon that has come from a farm, and as such requires far less cooking time.
This makes it a very quick and easy fish to prepare, which is great for those nights when you just want to eat and not spend ages in the kitchen.
Can I Reheat Cooked Salmon?
Yes, provided you do so properly it is perfectly safe to reheat cooked salmon, and it can be even more delicious on the second day.
The best way to reheat salmon is in the oven, and you should aim to slow cook it until it is 145°F in the center.
Use a meat thermometer to tell when your salmon has reached this temperature and is ready to eat.
Conclusion
Salmon makes a great meal because it is healthy, tasty and very easy to make at a moment’s notice.
With any of these sumptuous side dishes alongside your filet, you will have a delicious meal full of everything you need to see you through the day.
If you liked this list, try reading some of our other recipe recommendations and find out what exciting sides you can make in your kitchen today.
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