Best Side Dishes for Salmon

Salmon is one of the most straightforward healthy supper ideas available, making it excellent for evening meals. However, it can be challenging to locate a quick side dish that can compete with the rapidity of salmon. Of course, if you’re serving salmon for a dinner party, you may have a bit of additional time on your hands. Salmon is a versatile ingredient that goes well with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But what do you serve it with? The most extraordinary salmon side dishes should be easy to prepare while the fish is cooking and give enough flavor without overwhelming or outshining the lovely fish.

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We eat salmon every week because we adore it. It’s not only healthful and delicious, but it also pairs well with a variety of sides. We’ve compiled a list of great salmon-friendly dishes, so you’ll know precisely what to prepare the next time you’re craving salmon. There’s only one thing that can trump salmon by itself: knowing how to prepare the best salmon side dishes. It may be made in various ways, making it simple to incorporate into your weekly food plan.

Salmon Nutrition Facts

salmon nutrition facts

What is Salmon?

Salmon is classified as an oily fish because of its high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content. In Norway, a major producer of farmed and wild Salmon, the differences in food quality and safety are minor, with farmed fish having lower environmental pollutants and wild salmon having higher omega-3 fatty acids. Farmed Salmon are fed fish oil and smaller fish pellets, ground-up chicken feathers, poultry litter (yes, that’s dung), genetically modified yeast, soybeans, and chicken fat.

Salmon is abundant in potassium and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). When combined with potassium, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids promote heart health by reducing arterial inflammation, lowering cholesterol, and regulating blood pressure.

Salmon has a moderate flavor and a creamy, slightly oily texture. Salmon that has been baked, grilled, or poached will have a lemony, buttery flavor and whatever other flavors have been added to the dish. Smoked salmon has a mild fishy flavor, whereas canned salmon is often bland and oily.

Best Side Dishes for Salmon

Here are some of the best side dishes for salmon:

Cider-Glazed Carrots

They become even sweeter when adding fresh apple cider and maple syrup to carrots. Carrots can be roasted or steamed ahead of time. Melt some butter or oil in a sauté pan when ready to serve. Reheat the carrots in the pan once it’s hot. Then drizzle with maple syrup and a little bit of apple cider. Cook for a few minutes, or until the cider evaporates and makes a glaze, tossing to coat all carrots.

Black Bean and Mango Salad

This salad is fantastic as a side dish for salmon in the summer, but it’s also delicious in the winter. Fresh or canned vegetables are both acceptable options. Black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, mango, fresh chopped cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper should all be mixed. To make the salad spicy, dice up a tiny jalapeno and add it to the mix. It’s preferable if you can refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving it.

Spaghetti Squash with Basil

Spaghetti squash is a fantastic pasta substitute. Roast an entire spaghetti squash for 45-60 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the size of the squash. Please make sure you probe it a couple of times with a fork first. Scrape out the seeds, then scrape out the squash with a fork. Toss the squash with roasted tomatoes (canned or fresh) and fresh basil in a large mixing bowl while it’s still hot. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Steamed Green Beans

Sometimes the best salmon side dish is a simple one. Get some fresh green beans and make sure they’re clean before boiling them. In a steamer or a saucepan of boiling water, steam them. Toss them with salt and pepper after they’re done. Fresh lemon zest can be added for extra taste.

Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes

Fresh fish goes well with thick, creamy mashed potatoes. Make mashed potatoes, then gently whisk in fresh garlic and herbs when they’re done. Herbs like thyme, parsley, and oregano are excellent choices. Add a couple of dollops of sour cream or full-fat plain Greek yogurt for added creaminess.

Broccoli with Almonds

Another healthy salmon side dish is steamed broccoli. Drain any extra water after steaming fresh broccoli pieces. In a large sauté pan, heat the oil or butter. Allow the slivered almonds to toast until they are aromatic and slightly brown. After that, add the broccoli and remove it from the heat. Toss everything together gently and serve.

Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes

Roasting red potatoes is a terrific way to use them up. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh rosemary before putting them in the oven. If fresh rosemary is unavailable, dried rosemary can suffice. Roast until they are crispy and golden in the oven. If you have an air fryer, you may also make roasted potatoes in it. They’re delicious!

Parmesan Noodles

Tomato sauce isn’t always required for spaghetti, and this side dish is straightforward to make and suitable for children. Instead of a tomato sauce, brush the noodles with melted butter and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Don’t forget to add some freshly cracked pepper to the mix!

Brussels Sprout and Apple Slaw

Fresh Brussels sprouts are also delicious, and they’re a fantastic addition to salads and slaws. Slice them very thinly to make them easier to chew without cooking them. The best tool for thinly slicing Brussels sprouts is a mandolin, and a sharp knife will suffice if you don’t have one.

Shred the Brussels sprouts with a fork. Apply the same technique to some fresh apples. This dish works best with granny smith apples. Toss with slaw dressing of your choice or make your own. Fresh almonds and dried cherries are other beautiful additions to this slaw.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are sweet and tasty, and they make a fantastic salmon side dish. You don’t need many more ingredients to make a tasty side dish. Before baking the sweet potatoes, poke them with a fork. After they’ve finished cooking, split them in half and serve with butter, salt, and pepper.

What Herbs go with Fish?

Try fresh flavors like dill, parsley, sage, garlic, and chives, which are incredibly delicious with fish, to stick to traditional herbs and spices. Fresh dill and chives go well with seafood, especially salmon, and give your dishes a delicate, crisp flavor. Dried dill also works well.

When you combine it with paprika, your fish will have a deliciously lemony and spicy zing. You’ll get the best results when using dried rosemary, basil, and tarragon. If you enjoy herbs with your spices, we propose Australian Bush Herbs, including Australian coriander, pumpkin, lemon myrtle, bush tomato, sea salt, onion, native thyme, aniseed myrtle, and chives, among other herbs.

What Spices go Best with Fish?

Spices like citrus ginger, the earthy combination of cumin, coriander, cardamom, and smokey paprika are all-natural complements to fish. We’ve created a fantastic spice blend that Fish Spice (of course!). We recommend diluting it at 1:3 with olive oil and coating the fish thickly when using Fish Spice. Cut slits in the flesh of your fish and squeeze this olive-spice marinade into the gaps for a richer, penetrating flavor. Use it as a dry rub and pan fry or grill it over medium heat to keep it from burning.

How do you Make Fish Taste Better?

Versatile flavor-packed ingredients can make simple fish dishes taste deceptively complex. Here are some best things to make your fish taste better:

Clam juice: It adds substance to quick fish stews.
Dry vermouth: Use it instead of dry white wine in sauces for fish; it keeps much longer.
Lemons: Bright, acidic lemon zest and juice pair well with fish.
Mayonnaise: Use it in creamy glazes.
Good-quality olives: Chop them to make a stuffing or topping.
Mustard: Its spice is the perfect foil for mild fish.
Capers: They add zing to sauces.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Sometimes, a good, fragrant olive oil drizzle is all fish needs.
Parmigiano Reggiano: Sprinkle it, freshly grated, on broiled fish.
Anchovies: Wrap a mild fillet around a salty little anchovy to taste the sea.

Conclusion

Salmon is one of the most simple fish to prepare, making it an ideal healthy weekday meal. On its own, it’s flaky, juicy, sensitive, and delectable, but there are so many great ways to elevate it with the perfect salmon side dishes. It’s a worldwide favorite for lunch and dinner any day of the week because of its high protein and omega-3 content. While cooking salmon is one thing, there’s also the question of what goes well with salmon. The simplest ways to serve it (grilled salmon, pan-fried salmon, baked salmon) are frequently the best, and the same goes for the sides!