What to Serve With Salmon Fillet: 15 Best Side Dishes

Complement your salmon fillet with a variety of delightful side dishes to elevate your meal. Try quinoa pilaf for a fluffy, nutrient-packed option, or a green bean salad combining cherry tomatoes and red onions for a crunchy, vibrant choice. Grilled asparagus and honey-glazed carrots are easy and nutritious, while coconut rice adds a sweet-savory twist. For comfort, garlic mashed potatoes or crispy potatoes offer deliciously satisfying textures. Invigorate with lemon couscous or a beet and apple salad, and explore more options like pesto pasta, roasted Brussels sprouts, and spinach salad. These sides will perfectly enhance your salmon. You'll enjoy learning about other great options.

Quinoa Pilaf

healthy flavorful easy side dish

Why not elevate your salmon fillet with a nutritious and protein-rich quinoa pilaf?

This versatile side dish can be customized with fresh herbs and vegetables, adding layers of flavor.

Quinoa's fluffy texture beautifully complements the richness of salmon, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.

Plus, it's packed with fiber and essential nutrients, making it an excellent choice for a healthy, well-rounded dish.

Green Bean Salad

vibrant green bean dish

Green bean salad is an invigorating and nutrient-dense accompaniment that enhances the flavors of a salmon fillet. This delightful side dish combines crisp green beans with cherry tomatoes and red onions, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.

Rich in vitamins and minerals, this salad not only adds a healthy component to your meal but also provides a vibrant, crunchy texture that perfectly complements the salmon.

Grilled Asparagus

healthy summer barbecue option

Grilled asparagus is an ideal side dish for salmon fillets, offering both nutritional benefits and a delicious smoky flavor.

This healthy side dish is rich in fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K. Grilling enhances its natural sweetness, while a simple seasoning of olive oil, salt, and pepper elevates the taste.

Plus, it cooks quickly, making it convenient for salmon dinners.

Coconut Rice

delicious tropical side dish

Coconut rice, with its rich aroma and creamy texture, serves as a delightful accompaniment to salmon fillets. This side dish combines the tropical taste of coconut milk with rice, offering a sweet and savory balance.

Popular in Asian and Caribbean cuisines, coconut rice enhances the richness of salmon while adding an exotic flair to the meal. It's easy to prepare and utterly satisfying.

Crispy Potatoes

perfectly roasted potato wedges

Crispy potatoes, with their golden-brown exterior and fluffy interior, are an excellent side dish to complement the flavors of a salmon fillet.

This easy-to-prepare accompaniment involves boiling the potatoes before smashing and roasting them on a sheet pan, ensuring a perfect, crispy finish.

Versatile and flavorful, these potatoes pair seamlessly with salmon, enhancing your meal with both texture and taste.

Beet and Apple Salad

refreshing summer salad recipe

A beet and apple salad offers an invigorating and lively side dish that perfectly complements the richness of a salmon fillet.

The vibrant combination of sweet beets and crisp apples creates an exhilarating taste, adding a delightful contrast to the meal.

Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, this nutrient-rich salad can be enhanced with a light vinaigrette or a creamy dressing for added flavor.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

savory side dish favorite

When paired with salmon fillets, garlic mashed potatoes offer a creamy and flavorful side dish that enhances the overall dining experience.

The savory garlic flavor melds beautifully with the potato's creamy texture, providing a comforting and satisfying meal.

Garlic-infused cream or butter elevates the dish, making it a versatile side that complements the salmon's rich, flaky texture while adding depth and warmth to every bite.

Honey-Glazed Carrots

tender carrots with honey

Honey-glazed carrots offer a delightful balance of sweetness and savory notes, making them an excellent complement to the rich flavors of salmon fillets.

This side dish enhances the natural sweetness of carrots with a honey glaze, adding a beautiful shine and caramelized texture.

Easy to prepare and nutritious, honey-glazed carrots elevate both the taste and visual appeal of your salmon fillet meal.

Lemon Couscous

tasty and refreshing dish

Following the delightful sweetness of honey-glazed carrots, lemon couscous offers an invigorating and tangy complement to the richness of salmon fillets.

This light and revitalizing side dish, enhanced by lemon zest and juice, brings a burst of citrus flavor that balances perfectly with the salmon recipe. Adding parsley not only introduces a fresh note but also makes this versatile dish even more appealing.

Spinach Salad

healthy greens with cheese

Spinach salad offers a nutrient-rich, invigorating contrast to the richness of salmon fillets, making it an ideal side dish for a well-balanced meal.

This quick and easy salad can be enhanced with a light vinaigrette or a creamy dressing. Adding fruits, nuts, or cheese creates a diverse flavor profile, complementing the salmon perfectly and ensuring a delightful dining experience.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

delicious side dish option

For a nutritious and flavorful side dish that complements salmon fillets perfectly, roasted Brussels sprouts offer a delightful and easy-to-prepare option.

Simply roast them with herbs and spices for a crispy texture that contrasts beautifully with tender salmon.

Rich in nutrients and fiber, these Brussels sprouts are a healthy addition to any meal, making them a crowd-pleaser and a delicious accompaniment to your salmon dinner.

Pesto Pasta

delicious homemade basil pesto

Pesto pasta serves as a vibrant and flavorful side dish that enhances the taste of salmon fillet. The aromatic basil pesto adds a burst of freshness, while the creamy pasta texture complements the flaky salmon.

This recipe is quick to prepare and can be customized with cherry tomatoes or grilled vegetables, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option for any occasion.

Cauliflower Casserole

creamy and cheesy comfort

Cauliflower casserole offers a delectable, low-carb alternative that pairs beautifully with salmon fillet, providing a creamy and comforting accompaniment.

This flavorful side dish combines cauliflower and cheese, seasoned to perfection, and is baked until golden and bubbly.

Easy to prepare and a crowd-pleaser, it adds a satisfying texture and rich taste, making it an ideal choice for various dietary preferences.

Sautéed Zucchini

delicious summer zucchini dish

Shifting from the creamy indulgence of cauliflower casserole, sautéed zucchini offers a light, nutritious complement to salmon fillet, enhancing the meal with its crisp texture and subtle flavor.

This vegetable side is a quick and easy, healthy addition to your salmon recipes. Seasoned with garlic, basil, or thyme, sautéed zucchini retains its natural taste and versatility, making it an excellent side for salmon.

Are the Best Side Dishes for Cold Smoked Salmon Different from Regular Salmon Fillet?

When it comes to the best side dishes for cold smoked salmon, the options may differ from those for regular salmon fillet. Since cold smoked salmon has a more intense flavor, it pairs well with lighter accompaniments like cucumber salad, dill potatoes, or a citrusy quinoa dish.

Broccoli Salad

healthy summer side dish

A well-prepared broccoli salad offers a crisp and revitalizing side dish that pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of salmon fillet. This healthy accompaniment is packed with nutrients like vitamin C and fiber.

Customizable with ingredients such as dried cranberries or sunflower seeds, this invigorating dish features raw broccoli florets, red onions, bacon, and a creamy dressing, making it both delicious and versatile.