These sides are salmon’s best friend.
It's salmon night! But what goes with it? Whether you have a standard salmon recipe on your weeknight rotation or are eager to work through that freezer full of sustainable wild salmon you stocked up on, finding the best side dishes for your salmon dinner can be intimidating. That is, in part, because so much goes well with salmon that the options can feel unlimited and overwhelming.
Salmon is mild in flavor, lending itself well to savory, sweet, smoky, and spicy preparations for all types of worldly cuisines. It's a fatty fish, but goes well with lean accoutrements, like greens and fresh produce, as well as heartier, heavier sides, such as pastas and risottos. Being stumped by salmon is only a good thing, though, because the side dish choices are (nearly) endless with a nice cut of fish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are a few of our favorite side dishes to eat with salmon.
RELATED: How to Cook Salmon
Amp up a frozen batch of fries with this recipe that elevates them to side dish quality. They’ll go perfectly with salmon, accompanied by a yogurt sauce or anything else creamy.
Stick to a Mediterranean-style diet with this crisp and zesty salad that goes well with so many types of salmon—poached, broiled, grilled… even leftover and cold!
RELATED: 37 Easy Salmon Recipes
The acidic vinegar on these crisp potatoes cuts through the fattiness of salmon so well, you’ll want to add this side dish to all your salmon nights! Fingerlings are, truly, always a good idea, especially if fish is also involved.
This spinach only takes minutes to make, so you can whip it up while your salmon cools or is nearly done cooking. Pair it with teriyaki salmon or any salmon dressed in soy sauce or mild flavors to let the sesame shine.
A decadent but still healthy way to enjoy a salmon dinner, this cauliflower decked out with sharp cheese and pepper complements salmon’s rich flavors. Try these flavors on your fish, too, for a cohesive and tasty dish.
RELATED: 10 Easy Holiday Side Dishes
Oh hey, chef! This hearty yet elevated dish looks and tastes great under a salmon filet. Better yet, it takes only one pot to make and is a complete meal with fiber, plenty of nutrients, and protein, thanks to your salmon.
Simple, neutral in flavor, and ready to pair up with any salmon dish, roasted broccoli always hits the spot. Throw in some caulini or even romanesco to switch up this classic preparation.
We know you didn’t forget that pasta is an excellent side to salmon, especially if it’s whole grain and full of nuttiness and fiber to fill you up. This spaghetti dish is beyond tasty, packed with texture, and works well in any portion size with chunks or a full serving of fish.
RELATED: 42 Perfect Pasta Recipes You’ll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight (and Every Night)
This Mediterranean salad gets an extra oomph with spinach and can easily be prepared in advance for a busy weeknight or even a dinner party.
Fennel and salmon are a natural duo. And better yet, the raw, plucked fronds add a beautiful garnish and fresh flavor to any salmon plate. This fennel recipe is very easy to master and the paprika can also be used on salmon to give the pair a similar flavor profile.
Literally designed to go with salmon, this potato and cabbage-based hash cooks while you roast your salmon, and is an expensive yet delicious side to serve to a crowd.
RELATED: Cabbage Is the Most Underrated Winter Vegetable: Learn How to Braise It, Roast It, and More
Prep and broil this asparagus at the same time as your salmon, and you can have dinner on the table in less time than it takes to rewatch an episode of your favorite sitcom.
Indulgent yet packed with nutrients, this one-skillet dish takes just minutes to cook, and you can even cook the salmon in the same pan! It’s a weeknight savior.
Pumpkin may not be the first pairing that comes to mind for salmon, but its lush texture and neutral flavor are the perfect fish accompaniment. Beans and crisp bacon add even more toothsomeness to this side that can go with a wide variety of salmon dishes.
RELATED: 60 Canned Pumpkin Recipes That Are Incredibly Easy to Make
These blanched, crisp green beans cook in minutes, and get a bath of flavor with a miso-mustard vinaigrette. Double the sauce recipe to marinate your salmon in it too.
