Side Dishes that Go Well with Salmon – 40+ Flavor-Packed Combos and Pairings
Need some inspiration for a flavor-packed salmon dish the whole family will love? My favorite side dishes to pair with salmon include potatoes in all forms (mashed, roasted, air-fried) couscous, rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, roasted or air-fryer broccoli, salads, quinoa, and of course, lemon! Keep reading for side ideas (including recipes, additional pairing tips, and a printable).
Salmon Sides Printable
I’ve put all my suggestions into one easy-to-follow printable. This list includes starches, veggies, salads, sauces, and flavor boosters. With this list, you’ll always be able to come up with a delicious salmon dish, and tailor it to the time of the day, or whether you want something hearty or lighter.
I would love to know in the comments which of these combinations you enjoyed the most. With the right pairing, salmon can make for an incredibly tasty weeknight dinner or even a fancy dinner party show-stopper.
Side Dishes for Salmon List (Including Some Recipes)
Starches
Some of my favorite starches to pair with grilled, pan-fried, or air-fryer salmon fillets are pesto orzo, lemon pasta, quinoa, couscous, and lemon-parmesan potato bites. For a salmon burger, I usually go with fries or potato wedges.
Generally, starches that pair well with salmon, include the following:
- Mashed Potatoes
- Fries
- Roasted Potatoes
- Potato Gnocchi
- Lemon Rice
- Risotto
- Couscous
- Quinoa
- Lemon Pasta
- Polenta
Veggies
Roasted vegetables make for a wonderful pairing for both salmon fillets and salmon burgers. When I’m pressed for time, I use an air fryer for quicker veggie recipes like crispy air-fryer broccoli, air-fryer peppers, air-fryer carrot fries, or air-fryer baby potatoes. One-tray salmon and veggies dinners are also great for weeknights when you’re looking for more low-effort dishes.
Generally, veggies that make for great salmon pairings also include:
- Grilled Asparagus
- Braised Artichokes
- Steamed Broccoli
- Sautéed Spinach
- Charred Brussel Sprouts
- Grilled Corn
- Roasted Carrots
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Grilled Zucchini
- Roasted Tomatoes
- Sautéed Mushrooms
- Crispy Fennel
- Creamy Leeks
- Mashed Peas
- Roasted Peppers
Salads
A warm roasted vegetable salad makes for a wonderful side to fully round out a salmon dish. If you’re looking for a cold salad recipe, one of my favorites is this arugula avocado tomato salad with a lemon-garlic-Dijon vinaigrette.
- Warm Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Arugula or Mixed Greens Salad
- Avocado Salad
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad
- Tomato and Pineapple Salad
I also have this smoked salmon salad that’s a no-cook 10-minute recipe and you’ll probably love it if you’re a fan of salmon!
Condiments/Sauces/More
Some of my favorite condiments and sauces for salmon include the following:
- Capers Lemon Butter Sauce
- Dijon Mustard Sauce
- Honey Soy Sauce
- Basil Pesto
- Mango Salsa
Flavor Boosters
No matter what side dish you pick, try to use some of the ingredients below either in the side or with the salmon and they will greatly enhance the flavors of your salmon dish!
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Fresh Herbs (Dill, Parsley, Thyme, Chives, Chervil, Basil)
- Bacon
- Chili Peppers
And finally, if you’re a fan of salmon, be sure to check out these salmon recipes and these smoked salmon recipes.
I’m confident there will be a magical combo (hopefully more) on this list that gets you excited. Have fun with it, and enjoy!
Oh, and if you enjoy cooking with salmon, don’t forget to save this sides list to one of your recipe planning boards. You’ll never be stuck for ideas when you fancy getting some salmon fillets from the supermarket.
