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23 Best Side Dishes For Salmon

The sides are the best part of the meal, right?

By and Camille Lowder
honey balsamic glazed brussels sprouts
Parker Feierbach

Whether you're baking, grilling, or poaching salmon, you can't forget about the sides. Luckily, super-versatile salmon is easy to pair with veggies, grains, pasta and more. These are some of our favorites— they're easy to make and add a nice balance of veggies and carbs to your plate so you can enjoy salmon year-round.

To start, figure out the way you’re going to cook and flavor your salmon. If you find the pink, flaky fish intimidating, don’t stress: check out our guide to the best, foolproof salmon cooking methods that will make you feel like a pro. If you’re interested in pairing with veggies, look for what’s in season. We love hitting a farmer’s market and roasting whatever we find that looks good, even (especially) if it’s new to us. Is the weather nice out? Take your salmon out to your BBQ grill, and cook your veggies right alongside. Planning to bake your salmon? Roast some potato coins or feta pasta too, and your meal will come together without you having to be stuck over the stovetop. Having an Asian-inspired meal? Pair your (teriyaki, maybe?) salmon with spicy chili cucumbers or miso-glazed carrots to keep with the theme. Salmon makes a nice pairing with comfort food in colder months too. Your whole family will love it with cheesy broccoli pasta or mashed potatoes (even mashed “faux”-tatoes, like our parsnip puree). Salmon can really go with anything, so invigorate this weeknight dinner staple by switching up its accompaniments and you'll fall in love with this healthy fish all over again.

Looking for more salmon ideas? Try our grilled salmon recipes, smoked salmon recipes, or easy ideas for using canned salmon.

1

Grilled Asparagus

grilled asparagus
Ethan Calabrese

Celebrate spring with the classic pairing of asparagus and salmon.

Get the recipe from Delish.

2

One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Pasta

cheesy broccoli pasta garnished with red pepper flakes in a blue dutch oven
Andrew Bui

This grown-up take on Mac & cheese will please everyone in the family.

Get the recipe from Delish.

3

Miso Roasted Carrots

maple roasted carrots topped with black and white sesame seeds and pistachios on a teal plate
ERIK BERNSTEIN

These sweet and savory carrots go perfectly with Asian salmon dishes.

Get the recipe from Delish.

4

Perfect Pan Fried Potatoes

pan fried potatoes
PARKER FEIERBACH

Little slivers of goodness.

Get the recipe from Delish.

5

Baked Feta Pasta

baked feta pasta
ANDREW BUI

Oven roasted tomatoes and feta are the perfect pairing for salmon.

Get the recipe from Delish.

6

Mashed Potatoes

mashed potatoes topped with butter pats and chopped herbs
Bryce Johnson

A classic!

Get the recipe from Delish.

7

Lemony Herb Couscous

lemony herb couscous
Parker Feierbach

We're bringing couscous back—starting with this Mediterranean-inspired recipe.

Get the recipe from Delish.

8

Honey Balsamic-Glazed Brussels Sprouts

honey balsamic glazed brussels sprouts
PARKER FEIERBACH

Tender, crispy Brussels are the perfect salmon side.

Get the recipe from Delish.

9

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

mediterranean chickpea salad
Parker feierbach

Pairing this salad with salmon is the perfect easy lunch.

Get the recipe from Delish.

10

Fried Rice

fried rice
Parker Feierbach

The best way to use leftover rice.

Get the recipe from Delish.

11

Sugar Snap Peas

vegetable, food, plant, legume, produce, ingredient, cuisine, vegetarian food, leaf vegetable, dish,
Parker Feierbach

They only take 5 minutes to sauté into crispy perfection.

Get the recipe from Delish.

12

Sesame Noodles

sesame noodles
Lucy schaeffer

For these sesame noodles, you can use any noodle in a pinch, and the nutty dressing comes together in under 10 minutes.

Get the recipe from Delish.

13

Chili Oil Smashed Cucumbers

chili oil smashed cucumbers
Joel Goldberg

These are cool and crisp and refreshingly addictive.

Get the recipe from Delish.

14

Roasted Cauliflower

closeup of roasted cauliflower
ANDREW BUI

Cauliflower is the perfect blank canvas to pair with salmon, whether you're roasting, grilling, or steaming it.

Get the recipe from Delish.

15

Best-Ever Farro Salad

farro salad
Park Feierbach

Feel free to tweak it as you see fit—it's easy to throw in different veggies and nuts.

Get the recipe from Delish.

16

Herb Roasted Potatoes

herb roasted potatoes
PARKER FEIERBACH

This might just be the perfect roasted potato.

Get the recipe from Delish.

17

Best Risotto

spoonful of risotto
PARKER FEIERBACH

risotto + salmon = romance.

Get the recipe from Delish.

18

Grilled Green Beans

grilled green beans topped with hazelnuts, black and white sesame seeds, and green onions on a white plate
Parker Feierbach

Already grilling some salmon? Pair with these green beans for the perfect outdoor meal.

Get the recipe from Delish.

19

Roasted Garlic-Parsnip Puree

parsnip puree
Parker feierbach

Move aside, taters.

Get the recipe from Delish.

20

Bacon Pea Salad

pea salad
PARKER FEIERBACH

Between this and the salmon, your plate will be bursting with flavor.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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