Whether you’re serving salmon at a dinner party, or just having it for yourself, there are a lot of things that can make your meal taste better. While we love salmon, it’s not always the most exciting dish on its own. But with the right side dish, it’s sure to be anything but boring.
A side dish to serve with salmon is any kind of starch or vegetable you like—from mashed potatoes and broccoli to rice and asparagus—but we think that these three options are especially delicious.
22 best side dishes to serve with salmon
1. Roasted garlic mashed potatoes
Just roast some garlic cloves in olive oil until they’re nice and soft, mash them up with some butter and milk or cream, then add them to your mashed potatoes. You won’t believe how much flavor these will add!
2. Herbed roasted vegetables
Just slice up some bell peppers and onions into chunks; toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper; then roast them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes until they’re tender but not mushy. Top those babies with some herbs like basil and thyme (or whatever else looks good!), then serve alongside your salmon fillet for an amazing flavor combination that will blow everyone away!
3. Green beans
Green beans are a great side dish to serve with salmon because they’re rich in nutrients, like vitamin K and folate. They also pair well with the flavor of fish.
4. Carrots
Carrots are another vegetable that pairs well with fish, especially when they’re roasted or sautéed. They’re also high in vitamin A and fiber—two nutrients that help support healthy digestion.
5. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable that pairs well with fish because they have an earthy flavor that complements seafood nicely. You can bake them or roast them whole in their skins (instead of cutting them into wedges), or toss them into your favorite stir-fry recipe if you’d prefer not to bake them separately from the rest of your meal.
6. Salad
Salads are always good options because they’re healthy, but they also provide plenty of moisture without being too heavy on your stomach after eating them all day long! Choose one that has lots of vegetables in it like lettuce or cucumber slices along with some fruit like apples for sweetness (or even better yet—both!). You can also add nuts or seeds into your salad if you want to add some protein to your meal since salmon is so lean. Just make sure that the nuts you choose are raw!
7. Pita Bread
While pita bread is typically served alongside gyros, it also serves as a great vessel for holding up a salmon fillet without letting it fall apart on you. You can also serve pita bread with hummus, which can add a special flavor and extra moisture to your meal.
8. Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary
These potatoes are so delicious and easy to make. All you need is some potatoes, rosemary, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Simply toss the ingredients together in a bowl and bake them until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. These potatoes go great with any kind of fish.
9. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This recipe only requires five ingredients: sweet potatoes, butter, milk or cream (or half-and-half), salt, and pepper (to taste). The sweet potatoes should be peeled first then cut into chunks and boiled until soft enough to mash easily with a fork (about 15 minutes). Add butter, milk, or cream as well as salt and pepper to taste before serving hot alongside your favorite fish dish!
10. Orzo Salad
This orzo salad recipe makes a delicious side dish for any meal – it’s especially good with salmon, grilled chicken, or steak. Just toss pasta, veggies, and Greek dressing together and you’re done!
11. Lemon Butter Pasta
This simple recipe calls for lemon zest, butter, olive oil, and garlic. The refreshing zest compliments the buttery sauce, while the garlic adds a hint of spice to this dish.
12. Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is a simple side dish that complements salmon beautifully. Its sweet flavor will go well with this fish — especially if you use coconut milk in place of water when cooking the rice.
13. Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower
Broccoli and cauliflower are both light, mild-flavored vegetables that go well with salmon. Broccoli is particularly delicious with coconut milk and garlic — try stir-frying it with soy sauce, vinegar, ginger and sesame oil for a tasty new side dish.
14. Sesame Potatoes
Sesame potatoes take a little more effort to make than our other side dishes but they’re worth the time. Using roasted sesame seeds in place of flour makes them extra special. These potatoes will taste great with salmon and a steamed vegetable.
15. Asparagus and Radicchio Salad
This simple salad is made with asparagus, radicchio, tomatoes, basil, and pine nuts. It’s a good light side dish to serve with salmon.
16. Ginger Carrot Slaw With Raisins
Try pairing this awesome salad with your fish to add some variety to your side dishes. The flavors of the ginger and raisins complement each other beautifully.
17. Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
Garlic green beans are an excellent side dish to serve with salmon. The green beans are cooked in olive oil and garlic until they are tender. This is a great way to enjoy fresh green beans. If you like garlic, this recipe is for you!
18. Lemon Kale Salad
This salad is a delicious blend of kale, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan cheese that makes a wonderful side dish for salmon. Kale is easy to grow at home and can be harvested throughout the growing season. It makes an attractive addition to any meal since it has beautiful dark green leaves that look great on the plate. This salad may seem like something that would taste bitter, but it actually has a sweet flavor from the lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. The Parmesan cheese adds just enough saltiness without overpowering the other flavors in the dish.
19. Air Fryer Asparagus
Asparagus is a spring vegetable, but it’s also one of the easiest things to cook. You can boil or sauté it, but roasting it in the oven is easier and often produces better results. Just toss the spears in olive oil and season them with salt and pepper, then roast them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes until they’re tender-crisp.
This easy side dish takes just minutes to make and can be served with any meal. Asparagus is loaded with nutrients like vitamins A and K, folate, fiber, and more.
20. Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe is a Roman dish made from pasta, cheese, and black pepper. This simple recipe calls for spaghetti, pecorino Romano cheese, olive oil, and freshly cracked black pepper — that’s it! This recipe is Paleo friendly if you use a gluten-free spaghetti noodle as your base instead of traditional pasta noodles.
This simple pasta dish is made with just three ingredients: spaghetti, Pecorino Romano cheese, and black pepper. Cook the spaghetti al dente (about two minutes shy of al dente), then drain and toss it with olive oil and butter. Return the noodles to the pot along with plenty of freshly grated cheese (about a quarter cup per person) and plenty of black pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon per person). Serve immediately.
21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad
One of the best ways to prepare Brussels sprouts is by roasting them. It brings out a nutty, sweet flavor that makes them taste like candy! This dish is an easy side dish option. Simply toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper before roasting at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until browned on the outside.
22. Cilantro Lime Rice
Serving rice alongside fish can be boring, so try making this cilantro lime rice instead! The fresh flavors of lime juice and cilantro make this dish so delicious!
Cilantro lime rice is the perfect accompaniment to any Mexican-inspired meal. It’s also great as a side dish for grilled salmon or chicken.
Conclusion
To conclude, we think the best side dish to serve with salmon is any kind of potato. We like to go for something simple and classic, like mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes (which are also delicious when served with this dish). Other options include sliced sweet potatoes—although you should make sure they’re cooked thoroughly before serving them to guests—or boiled red-skinned potatoes.