Salmon is a classic, delicious, and healthy dinner option that’s very easy to make. Check out these 20 great sides for salmon that compliment this suppertime staple. Fish is super versatile and goes well with vegetables, pasta or grains. Salmon is no different! All you have to do is decide between a healthy side dish and a hearty side dish!

Salmon has many health benefits and is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Poor joint health? Bad eyesight? Or need to repair muscles? Well you will be happy to know that salmon is also loaded with Vitamins A, D, and E.

If you’d like to eat salmon more often, below you will find some side dish ideas from easy veggie dishes to creamy pasta dishes that will have your mouth watering and your stomach begging for more!

What Goes Good with Salmon?

Whether you are looking for something light or something more indulgent, there are plenty of options available that go well with salmon.

To keep things on the healthy side, you will want to choose a side dish such as avocado salad, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and apple salad. These sides will also add a pop of color to your dish!  However, if you’re looking for something a bit heavier and will fill you up, you will want to opt for a mac and cheese dish, BLT salad, or mashed potatoes.

Salmon Dinner Ideas

Sometimes cooking fish can create fear and deter people from wanting to even try it! However, with the right recipe, you will find it’s quite easy to prepare a salmon dinner! If you’re new to cooking salmon, try a simple recipe of placing it in aluminum foil with some lemon and herbs, or even mix some garlic, herbs, and butter. Then quickly bake it in the oven. Or, if you’re looking to impress and step it up a notch or two, try some honey garlic salmon, or cook it sous vide!

20 Best Sides for Salmon

Vegetable Sides to Serve with Salmon

1. Air Fryer Asparagus

Vegan, low-carb, and keto?! What more could you ask for? Air Fryer asparagus is a delectable side dish that provides a crisp bite after just about 7 minutes in the air fryer. To top that all off the recipe is quite simple – all you need is to season with some salt and pepper and sprinkle with parmesan to garnish! Like they say, once you try it, you’ll never go back!

2. Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts

Staying on the healthy side of things, roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts are the perfect option.  Using fresh Brussels sprouts for this recipe provides a great texture and has more nutrition compared to frozen ones. Keep in mind that you will want to cook these at a higher temperature in order to bring out that sweetness and crisp taste.

3. Roasted Parsnips

A delicious and simple side dish that, once prepared, will provide a sweet and tender taste. Said to be a close cross of a potato and a carrot, parsnips are a good source of vitamin c and fiber. However, if it is the taste that you’re focusing on, remember to choose the smaller parsnips as they are sweeter, tender, and less woody.

4. Steamed Broccoli

Another side dish that is chalked full of vitamin c but also low-carb, keto-friendly, steamed broccoli is the ideal side dish for salmon.  When you steam broccoli, it rids of the acidic taste and brings out that natural sweetness that you crave for your dinner. The best part is that it only takes 10 minutes to steam!

5. Garlic Bok Choy Stir Fry

4 ingredients and 10 minutes are all you need to prepare garlic bok choy stir fry, and about ⅓ of that time to devour it. It cooks quickly, so it’s wise to cook everything else first before you toss this on the wok. To get the best taste, grab the ones that have wilted leaves at the bottom and but still overall crunchy. The trick to the perfect garlic taste is to add in the garlic while the oil is still cold in the wok.

Pasta Side Dishes

6. Avocado Pasta

Avocados, basil, garlic, lemon, and olive oil are all you need for this dish. The creamy taste and texture may make you think there is butter or cream in this dish, but don’t be fooled the avocados provide a creamy texture that is packed full of antioxidants. The best thing is, this dish is completely vegetarian.

7. Creamy and Cheesy Cavatappi Pasta

Said to be the grown-up version of mac and cheese, this dish has kids and adults alike coming back for more. Tips to make this dish that talk of your dinner, buy block cheese and shred it yourself, cook your cavatappi just a bit less than al dente, and make sure your butter is cold for the perfect roux!

8. Pesto Pasta

Looking to incorporate more protein into your diet? Even if you’re not, pesto pasta is a must-try! It is gluten-free pasta, tossed in a creamy, vegan pea pesto sauce that is topped with sun-dried tomatoes – delicious and nutritious in 30 minutes flat!

Potato & Rice Sides

9. Microwave Mashed Potatoes

Microwaved mashed potatoes? Is this true? You bet!! In just 15 minutes, you can have smooth, creamy mashed potatoes. All you have to do is choose starchy potatoes, cut into cubes, and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Add in milk and butter and you’ll never want to mash potatoes the hard way again.

10. Potato Salad

You may think of your mom’s recipe or your grandma’s recipe when trying your hands at this dish, but this recipe will have you making your own potato salad that may just become the new family recipe.  For the best flavor, make your salad a day ahead of time.

11. Boiled Potatoes

Time on your hands or strapped for time, either way, there are options to make boiled potatoes to add to your salmon dish. Boil them in the microwave for 6-8 minutes or on the stove for just about double that time. After boiling just add some butter and fresh herbs and you have a simple side dish that has people thinking that you slaved over the stove all day.

12. Cauliflower Fried Rice

Managing your carb intake? Try your hand at making cauliflower fried rice and your mouth won’t be disappointed. Shred the cauliflower with a grater or a food processor and combine it with salt and pepper on the stove with oil and you have yourself a scrumptious side dish that you won’t feel guilty about.

Salad Sides

13. Fruit Salsa

Is there anything better than a bright and colorful side dish to compliment your salmon? Fruit salsa not only provides a fresh taste but sweet and tart as well. Simply dice up your favorite fruits, add some sugar and lemon juice and you are on your way to a juicy treat. If you want to step it up a notch, add in some cinnamon-covered tortilla chips.

14. Broccoli Salad

Easy and delicious! Two of the best words used together! This broccoli salad recipe is loaded with flavor and calls for broccoli, bacon, red onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and goat cheese. All that deliciousness topped with a creamy mayonnaise yogurt dressing. Be sure to save room for this dish!

15. BLT Salad

Looking for a dish to impress and have your guests asking for more? Then BLT salad is your answer.  All the appetizing ingredients from a blt while skipping the bun, and in just 15 minutes you’ll not only be able to enjoy this dish but share it with others too!

16. Apple Salad

If you’re a pro at making a yogurt or mayonnaise dressing then you will want to include this side dish into your meal. Chop up some apples and celery, add in some walnuts and raisins with that yogurt dressing and you will have a salad that is both healthy and heavenly.

Good Side Dishes for Salmon Cakes

17. Cucumber Salad

Cucumber salad is the answer to those looking for a salad that is fresh and cold for those hot summer days. Cucumbers soak up any dressing you use but still come out with a nice light flavor. So be sure to use a nice herb-vinegar dressing that will allow each bite into your cucumber salad to come out flavorful. Plus, when paired with salmon cakes they can provide a lighter taste to your heavier cakes.

18. Creamy Mac and Cheese

Rich, creamy, and easy to make! Nothing beats a classic like creamy mac and cheese! It proves to be the perfect pairing for salmon cakes because you can dip, scoop or wipe up any of the leftover cheese with your salmon cake.  Piece of advice, in order to get that strong, robust flavor choose a sharp cheddar!

19. Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles are vegetables with a twist, or a spiral in this case. Grab your spiralizer, and your zucchini and you will be on pace for creating your own noodles. The fun spirals will have you forgetting that you’re eating a vegetable!  To turn those noodles into a dish, simply heat olive oil in a skillet and toss the zucchini noodles in it for 2-3minutes.

20. Easy Moroccan Couscous

An easy, flavorful, and vegan dish, Moroccan couscous is a no-brainer to pair with your salmon cakes. Be sure not to overpower the taste and overdo it with seasonings, keep it simple with a little bit of cumin and cinnamon.

What Can You Eat with Salmon on a Diet?

When you’re on a diet, salmon is one of the best options due to the low calorie, high protein content. To compliment that best, you will want to choose any vegetable dish. This includes steamed broccoli, asparagus, sugar snap peas, roasted parsnips and even cauliflower rice.