When serving pesto salmon, complement it with delicious and diverse side dishes. Roasted vegetables like zucchini, squash, and broccoli bring out natural sweetness, while quinoa salad offers a nutritious, protein-rich option. Garlic mashed potatoes, made with roasted garlic, butter, and milk, provide comfort and creamy texture. For a rejuvenating touch, try a Caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Grilled asparagus, drizzled with balsamic glaze, adds a tender yet crisp flavor. Experiment with other tasty choices such as roasted carrots, air-fryer zucchini chips, lemon bean salad, or broccoli grape pasta for a complete, satisfying meal. There's much more to discover!
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables serve as a versatile and nutritious side dish that perfectly complements pesto salmon. Simply season a variety of vegetables like zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Spread them on a sheet pan and roast to enhance their natural sweetness and caramelization. This easy preparation adds depth and a satisfying crunch, balancing the moist, flaky pesto salmon.
Quinoa Salad
Complementing the roasted vegetables, a quinoa salad offers a nutritious and protein-rich side dish that pairs beautifully with pesto salmon. This salad is easy to customize with fresh herbs and favorite ingredients, making it versatile and flexible.
Rich in nutrients and fiber, it adds an invigorating component to the meal, balancing the flavorful salmon perfectly. Simple to prepare, it's a crowd-pleaser.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic mashed potatoes serve as a classic and comforting side dish that enhances the rich flavors of pesto salmon. Made by boiling potatoes and mashing them with butter, milk, and roasted garlic, they offer a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness.
This versatile side can be customized with chives or Parmesan cheese, making it an ideal addition to any pesto salmon recipe.
Caprese Salad
Building on the comforting richness of garlic mashed potatoes, Caprese salad offers an invigorating and vibrant contrast that beautifully complements pesto salmon. This classic Italian dish, made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil leaves, olive oil, and balsamic glaze, is revitalizing and light. Its simplicity allows the natural flavors to shine, making it an ideal side dish to serve with pesto salmon.
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus serves as a nutritious and flavorful accompaniment to pesto salmon. This vibrant vegetable is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with plenty of fiber and antioxidants.
Grilling enhances its natural flavors, creating a tender yet crisp texture. Drizzling a balsamic glaze over the asparagus adds a tangy and sweet contrast, perfectly complementing the rich pesto salmon.
Chopped Kale Salad
Complementing the robust flavors of grilled asparagus, a chopped kale salad offers an invigorating and nutritious side dish for pesto salmon. This salad, made with fresh kale, toasted breadcrumbs, and a tangy dressing, adds a satisfying crunch to your salmon recipes.
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it's a healthy choice. Customize it with nuts, cheese, or dried fruits for added flavor.
Sautéed Snap Peas
Sautéed snap peas offer a quick and nutritious side dish that perfectly complements the flavors of pesto salmon. Sugar snap peas, when sautéed, retain their bright green color and crispiness while providing a sweet, crunchy texture.
Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and antioxidants, this vibrant addition guarantees your meal is both delicious and wholesome.
Tangy Potato Salad
Tangy potato salad, with its blend of boiled potatoes, green beans, and a zesty dressing, serves as a delightful accompaniment to pesto salmon.
This versatile dish can be enjoyed warm or cold and is easy to customize with added onions or herbs.
Its vibrant flavors and textures make it a crowd-pleaser, perfect for picnics, BBQs, and family gatherings.
Beet and Apple Salad
Following the tangy notes of potato salad, beet and apple salad introduces an invigorating and colorful side that complements pesto salmon with its earthy sweetness and crisp textures.
This revitalizing side dish, rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, features a harmonious balance of flavors with a light vinaigrette dressing. Its vibrant colors and delightful textures enhance the overall dining experience.
Crispy Potatoes
Crispy potatoes provide a delightful combination of texture and flavor that enhances the dining experience when paired with pesto salmon.
These versatile side dishes, easily made by boiling, smashing, and roasting potatoes until crispy, are a crowd-pleaser. With a crispy exterior and fluffy interior, they offer a satisfying contrast to the rich flavors of the salmon, making them an excellent choice.
Brussels Sprout Slaw
Brussels sprout slaw offers a crunchy and revitalizing side dish that perfectly complements the rich flavors of pesto salmon. Made with thinly sliced Brussels sprouts and carrots, this slaw features a tangy dressing that provides a rejuvenating contrast.
High in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, Brussels sprout slaw is nutritious and can be customized with apples, cranberries, or nuts for added texture and flavor.
Roasted Carrots
Roasted carrots serve as a nutritious and vibrant side dish that pairs excellently with the flavors of pesto salmon. Rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamins like K and B6, they offer a healthy complement.
Roasting enhances their natural sweetness and caramelized flavor. Seasoned with herbs like thyme or rosemary, roasted carrots add a delicious and visually appealing element to your meal.
Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air-fryer zucchini chips provide a nutritious and crisp side dish that pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of pesto salmon.
Made by slicing zucchini, seasoning with herbs or Parmesan, and air-frying until crispy, these chips are a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips.
Low in calories and high in fiber, they retain their nutrients and natural flavors without excess oil.
Lemon Bean Salad
Lemon Bean Salad offers an invigorating and nutritious accompaniment to pesto salmon, enhancing the meal with its vibrant citrus flavors.
This revitalizing side dish combines tender beans with a zesty lemon dressing, providing a burst of citrus that perfectly complements a salmon dinner.
Packed with protein and fiber, this salad is not only delicious but also quick and easy to prepare, ensuring a hassle-free dining experience.
Can the Same Side Dishes be Served with Pesto Salmon and Roasted Salmon?
When deciding on the best side dishes for roasted salmon, it’s important to consider the flavors of the main dish. While pesto salmon pairs well with asparagus or a light salad, roasted salmon can be served with roasted vegetables or quinoa for a heartier option. Choose sides that complement the salmon’s taste.
Broccoli Grape Pasta
Broccoli grape pasta offers a delightful fusion of textures and flavors, making it an excellent side dish for pesto salmon. This quick and easy weeknight recipe combines tender pasta, crisp broccoli, and juicy grapes, creating a colorful, nutritious dish.
Serve with pesto for a balanced, satisfying meal. Customize with nuts, cheese, or herbs for added complexity and a truly unique experience.