Do you have beautifully cooked salmon and looking for a fool-proof side to serve with? From bread to salad, and rice dishes, there are so many side dishes that pair perfectly with salmon.
Salmon is a renowned people pleaser due to its great taste that blends well with almost everything. To select the right side dish for salmon, know how the salmon is prepared to match a side dish that goes well together.
What side dishes to serve with salmon? Whether the salmon is baked, panfried, grilled, or poached, it is easy to pair with veggies, grains, pasta and more. Focus on a balance of veggies and carbs on your plate, grilled vegetables such as asparagus, roasted brussels sprouts, sautéed snap peas or steamed broccoli.
Simply pan frying classic veggies such as potatoes will never disappoint. If you would like to add carbs to a salmon dish, consider cheesy baked pasta, scalloped potatoes, seasoned fried rice or herbed grains on the side.
Salmon pairs well with sweet, salty, spicy, and savory sides or sauces. Regardless of the seasonings or ingredients, side dishes for salmon help to make the meal whole and nutritious.
When salmon is served with these classic side dishes, the taste is delicious and complete.
This article answers frequently asked questions regarding the best side dishes for salmon. Read through to learn more about what side dishes to pair with cooked salmon!
What is salmon usually served with?
Typically, salmon is served best with grilled or steamed vegetables, potatoes that are either fried, roasted, or mashed, pasta, and whole grains. A great side dish complements the flavors of the main dish, thus taking salmon to a whole new level.
Here are classic ingredients that salmon is usually served with:
- Fruits: apples, grapefruit, lemon, lime, oranges, pineapple
- Vegetables: artichoke hearts, arugula, asparagus, beets, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, cucumbers, fennel, garlic, ginger, lettuce, potatoes, zucchini
- Legumes: fava, flageolets, white beans
- Grains: lentils, quinoa
- Rice: basmati, sushi, wild, white, brown rice
- Spices: cardamom, cayenne, chile peppers, coriander, nutmeg, tarragon
- Herbs: basil, bay leaf, mint, parsley, thyme, dill, cilantro
- Dairy: unsalted butter, heavy cream, créme frâiche
- Oil: canola, corn, grapeseed, peanut, sesame, vegetable, olive
- Condiments: barbecue sauce, horseradish, mayonnaise, miso, mustard, Tabasco sauce, vinegar
- Wine: dry white or red Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir
What are popular salmon side dishes?
The basics that go well with salmon include vegetables, salads, or rice. Also, mango fruit can be eaten with salmon because the fruit suits salmon well with its sweetness and fleshly texture.
The classic side dishes for salmon are relatively straightforward to prepare. They deliver plenty of flavor without having to outshine or overpower the complex salmon taste.
If you are looking for popular and classic salmon side dishes, here are some you should try:
- pan fried broccolini with garlic and lemon
- roasted potatoes with rosemary and parmesan cheese
- sautéed green beans with butter and lemon
- roasted brussels sprouts
- lime cilantro or garlic rice
- pesto pasta
- mushroom risotto
Pasta side dishes for salmon
Salmon pairs wonderfully with many pasta side dishes whether it is creamy or citrusy flavor, however the choice of side pasta is dependent on preference.
Pasta is a good option for go-to weeknight meals because it works well as a side dish and is quite filling. Highly recommended pasta side dishes for salmon include:
- lemon parsley pasta
- lemon garlic spaghetti
- garlic cream sauce
- campanelle pasta
- alfredo pasta
- parmesan orzo pasta
- pesto pasta
Rice side dish for salmon
Seasoned rice side dish for salmon are a great choice to pair because its a perfect balance of flavor.
Lemon basmati rice is a good rice side because of its sweet aroma and taste, and plain basmati rice has a beautiful setup because of its natural floral essence. Salmon with herbed rice also makes a tasty lunch or dinner.
In general, basmati rice pairs beautifully with grilled salmon. Depending on how the salmon is prepared, rice can be served plain or flavored no matter if it’s wild rice or brown rice.
- wild rice pilaf
- lemon white rice
- herbed brown rice
- fried rice
- risotto
- garlic rice
- dijon butter jasmine rice
- black rice
Vegetable side dishes to serve with salmon
Whether sautéed or oven roasted, a large number of vegetables pair well with salmon. Slicing some garlic and a sprinkle of lemon zest can make simple veggies taste so exquisite.
Vegetables offer fiber and minerals, and also add a splash of color to the plate when serving. The dark green buttered kale, cabbage, broccoli, spinach, green beans, tender stem broccoli, and asparagus add something vibrant for your eyes to consume on the plate.
- old-fashioned green beans
- lemon butter broccolini
- roasted brussels sprouts
- pan fried potatoes
- creamy baked asparagus
- sautéed spinach with white beans
- glazed baby carrots
- creamy dill sauce zucchini
- garlic steamed broccoli
Side Dishes to Serve With Salmon: Conclusion
Salmon can be served with different side dishes such as vegetables, potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, and fruit. No one should feel bored eating the same thing everyday when salmon is available for lunch or dinner.
Vegetables also give a bright flavor and vibrant color when serving. There’s no need to worry about pairing salmon with any vegetable since it blends pretty well with any leafy greens or crunchy but less overpowering vegetables.
In classic cuisine, salmon also blends well with citrus fruits such as lemon, grapefruit or lime zest. As well as slices of mango or pineapple to give tropical sweetness to the mix.
The most popular side dishes to serve with salmon are roasted or pan-fried vegetables, seasoned rice, and creamy or citrusy pasta. They not only taste delicious together, but provide a wholesome meal that is packed with color and nutrients in every bite.
Whether you are looking for a light or fulfilling side dishes to serve with cooked salmon, use these staple classic ingredients to make a quick side dishes to enjoy with the fish.