18 Must-Try Side Dishes for a Perfect Salmon Dinner

Cooking salmon for dinner is always a great idea, but what really makes the meal special are the side dishes that go along with it. Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with the same old sides, so I’ve put together a list of tasty and diverse side dishes that pair perfectly with salmon. From roasted vegetables to refreshing salads and creamy sauces, these sides will not only complement your salmon but elevate the entire meal.

Garlic Roasted Potatoes

Garlic roasted potatoes are a simple yet delicious side dish that pairs perfectly with salmon. Toss baby potatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Roast them in the oven at 400°F for about 30-35 minutes until they are golden and crispy. The garlic and rosemary infuse the potatoes with aromatic flavors, complementing the rich taste of the salmon. They offer a crispy exterior with a soft and fluffy interior, providing a delightful contrast in texture.

Lemon Asparagus

Lemon asparagus is a fresh and tangy side that brightens up any salmon dish. Trim the asparagus and toss it with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven at 400°F for about 10-15 minutes until tender. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the asparagus before serving. The zesty lemon enhances the earthy flavor of the asparagus, creating a refreshing taste that balances the richness of the salmon. The asparagus remains slightly crisp, adding a satisfying crunch.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad is a nutritious and vibrant side dish that pairs well with salmon. Cook quinoa according to package instructions and let it cool. Mix with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, parsley, and feta cheese. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The quinoa provides a nutty flavor and fluffy texture, while the vegetables add crunch and freshness. Feta cheese adds a creamy and tangy element, making the salad well-rounded and flavorful.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels sprouts are a savory and slightly sweet side dish. Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Roast in the oven at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until caramelized and crispy. The roasting process brings out the natural sweetness of the Brussels sprouts, and the balsamic vinegar adds a tangy glaze. These sprouts offer a deliciously crisp exterior with a tender interior, complementing the salmon’s richness.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed sweet potatoes are a comforting and slightly sweet side dish. Peel and boil sweet potatoes until tender. Mash with butter, a splash of milk, salt, and a pinch of cinnamon. The sweet potatoes’ natural sweetness pairs well with the savory salmon, and the cinnamon adds a warm, aromatic note. The mash is creamy and smooth, providing a comforting contrast to the flaky salmon.

Cucumber Dill Salad

Cucumber dill salad is a light and refreshing side dish. Slice cucumbers thinly and mix with sliced red onions, fresh dill, and a dressing of sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. This salad offers a cool, crisp texture and a tangy, herbaceous flavor. The cucumbers are crunchy, and the dill adds a burst of freshness, making it a perfect palate cleanser alongside the rich salmon.

Wild Rice Pilaf

Wild rice pilaf is a hearty and flavorful side dish. Cook wild rice according to package instructions and mix with sautéed onions, celery, carrots, and garlic. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. The wild rice has a nutty flavor and chewy texture, which pairs well with the tender salmon. The vegetables add a savory depth, making the pilaf a wholesome and satisfying side.

Roasted Carrots with Honey and Thyme

Roasted carrots with honey and thyme are a sweet and savory side dish. Toss whole carrots with olive oil, honey, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized. The honey enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots, while the thyme adds an earthy, aromatic flavor. These roasted carrots are soft and flavorful, providing a delicious contrast to the salmon.

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Mushrooms

Spinach and feta stuffed mushrooms are a savory and flavorful side dish. Remove the stems from large mushrooms and fill them with a mixture of sautéed spinach, crumbled feta cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bake in the oven at 375°F for about 20 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. The spinach and feta mixture is creamy and tangy, while the mushrooms add an earthy, umami flavor. These stuffed mushrooms are a delicious complement to the rich salmon.

Greek Orzo Salad

Greek orzo salad is a bright and tangy side dish. Cook orzo according to package instructions and mix with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Dress with olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. The orzo provides a tender, pasta-like texture, while the vegetables add crunch and freshness. The olives and feta cheese add a briny, tangy flavor, making the salad a refreshing side for salmon.

Green Beans Almondine

Green beans almondine is a classic and elegant side dish. Blanch green beans until tender-crisp and toss with toasted almonds, melted butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The green beans are crisp and fresh, while the almonds add a nutty crunch. The lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavor, making this dish a perfect complement to the rich salmon.

Caprese Salad

Caprese salad is a simple and fresh side dish. Layer slices of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper. The tomatoes are juicy and sweet, the mozzarella is creamy and mild, and the basil adds a fresh, herbaceous note. The balsamic glaze adds a tangy sweetness, making this salad a refreshing and flavorful side for salmon.

Mango Avocado Salsa

Mango avocado salsa is a sweet and tangy side dish. Dice ripe mangoes and avocados and mix with diced red onions, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. This salsa is fresh and vibrant, with the mango adding a sweet, juicy flavor and the avocado adding a creamy texture. The lime juice adds a bright, tangy note, making this salsa a perfect complement to the rich salmon.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Baked sweet potato fries are a crispy and slightly sweet side dish. Cut sweet potatoes into thin fries and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Bake in the oven at 425°F for about 25-30 minutes until crispy and golden. The sweet potatoes’ natural sweetness pairs well with the savory salmon, and the paprika adds a subtle, smoky flavor. These fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, providing a delightful contrast in texture.

Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a classic and flavorful side dish. Toss romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese. The lettuce is crisp and fresh, the dressing is creamy and tangy, and the croutons add a crunchy texture. The Parmesan cheese adds a salty, umami flavor, making this salad a delicious complement to the rich salmon.

Herbed Couscous

Herbed couscous is a light and fluffy side dish. Cook couscous according to package instructions and mix with chopped parsley, mint, green onions, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The couscous has a light, fluffy texture, while the herbs add a fresh, aromatic flavor. The lemon juice adds a bright, tangy note, making this couscous a refreshing side for salmon.

Tomato Basil Bruschetta

Tomato basil bruschetta is a fresh and flavorful side dish. Toast slices of baguette and top with a mixture of diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The tomatoes are juicy and sweet, the basil adds a fresh, herbaceous note, and the garlic adds a savory, pungent flavor. The toasted baguette is crispy and provides a perfect base for the fresh topping.

Roasted Beet Salad

Roasted beet salad is a colorful and earthy side dish. Roast beets in the oven at 400°F for about 45 minutes until tender. Peel and slice the beets and mix with goat cheese, arugula, walnuts, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. The beets are sweet and earthy, the goat cheese is creamy and tangy, and the arugula adds a peppery note. The walnuts add a crunchy texture, making this salad a delicious and well-balanced side for salmon.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout

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