26 Simple Side Dishes for Salmon

Salmon is a wonderful choice for your meal’s protein source, but how about finding a side that goes with it? On its own, salmon has high levels of B vitamins, potassium, as well as healthy omega-3 fatty acids, according to Healthline.

However, despite its delicious taste and vitamin content, it can benefit from having a side to complement its flavors and make the meal more balanced. When pairing salmon with complementary ingredients, there’s a whole world of possibilities to explore.

From the pungent aroma of garlic to the savory notes of thyme, plenty of herbs and spices can elevate the flavor of this delicious fish. Additionally, tangy lemon or earthy rosemary can add extra layers of complexity to the meal, while balsamic vinegar’s sweet and acidic flavor can provide a delicious contrast. We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for side dishes to serve alongside your salmon.

Our list includes various options, from simple grilled veggies to more extravagant dishes like casseroles and au gratin potatoes, all of which incorporate these complementary flavors in one way or another.

You certainly won’t want to miss out on these recipes, whether you cook your salmon on the grill, in the oven, or in the air fryer!

1. Easiest Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

We’re starting the list off strong with our recipe for sweet potato cubes! This quick recipe is the ultimate side dish since the subtle sweetness of the sweet potatoes tastes heavenly with the fish. You cook them in the air fryer, which makes for easy cleanup. The simple flavors of herbal salt and sliced scallions enhance the vegetables’ flavor, and the air fryer makes them crispy on the edges!

2. Chickpea Edamame Salad

Here is a healthy side salad that is perfect to enjoy with your cooked salmon. It has notes of red peppers, carrots, quinoa, edamame, and chickpeas. As you can see, there are multiple different veggies and grains in it! So, when you combine it with the fish, the whole meal is nourishing for your body. Not to mention, the dressing made from maple, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and oil is to die for.

3. Fried Artichoke Hearts

If you’re in the mood for a dish that’s more on the side of comfort food, this fried artichoke by Sustainable Cooks is the choice for you. However, it is air fried, so you don’t need to worry about it being super greasy. Essentially, you coat the vegetable in a breadcrumb mixture to give it that lovely crunchy exterior. When it’s finished cooking, we recommend you sprinkle on fresh herbs like rosemary or parsley.

4. Buttered Corn In the Air Fryer

For a simple yet tasty salmon dinner, make some buttered corn to go with it! This recipe is remarkably effortless because all you need is corn, butter, salt, and pepper. Then, you top it with fresh topped parsley. You can always use low-calorie butter options if you don’t want to use regular butter! Cook the corn in the appliance for a mere 5 minutes, and it’s ready to enjoy with your fish.

5. Balsamic Garlic Grilled Mushroom Skewers

Making grilled salmon? Try this scrumptious side dish that you can also make on the grill. These mushroom skewers are unbelievably yummy, thanks to the balsamic vinegar, garlic, and soy sauce. You can place the veggies onto the skewers, and they become nice and smokey when they cook. We suggest making some extra glaze for the salmon, too, so you can drizzle it on before serving! How delicious does that sound?

6. Grilled Summer Veggies

Here’s another side you can make on the grill. This recipe by The Peachee Pear combines red onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushroom to make a nutrient-filled and colorful side. This is also perfect for when you’re meal-prepping salmon for the week because the veggies hold up well in the refrigerator! Don’t forget to sprinkle them with seasonings like garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. You can even use some oregano for added flavor!

7. Garlic Buttery Rice

Here is a simple side dish for when you want the salmon to take center stage. This rice recipe has basic ingredients that bring out the best flavors in the salmon. Not to mention, the texture contrast between the tender rice and the moist fish is irresistible. For this recipe, you cook the rice on the stovetop with minced garlic and butter, giving it a hearty flavor.  You can also add fresh herbs to it when it’s done!

8. Easy Air Fryer Root Vegetables

We love root vegetables, which is why we had to come up with a recipe to cook them in the air fryer! The recipe features a medley of vibrant and wholesome root vegetables, such as beets, parsnips, and carrots, making your seafood more enticing. These nutrient-packed vegetables are seasoned with a blend of fresh cilantro, parsley, and Himalayan salt, making them an ideal accompaniment to your cooked salmon.

9. Perfect Au Gratin Potatoes

This comfort side dish by The Daring Gourmet brings together flavors of garlic, milk, onions, cheese, and potatoes. When you dish up the cooked potatoes, they’re perfectly creamy in the sauce. Yet, the cheese topping turns bubbly and brown for an inviting presentation. We recommend you flake the salmon and serve it atop the potato side dish so that the creamy sauce can complement it. Also, a sprinkle of extra parmesan doesn’t hurt!

10. Parmesan Chopped Salad

If you’re someone who likes a simple salad to accompany their seafood, this chopped salad will impress you. It includes shallots, parmesan, black pepper, lemon juice, and oil. The base of the salad is made with romaine lettuce, but you could always swap it for kale or other greens if you wish! Make sure to toss the dressing at the last minute so the lettuce stays nice and crisp instead of wilting while the fish is still cooking!

11. Lemon Tzatziki Potato Salad

Lemon potato salad? Count us in! This recipe has creamy, tangy, and savory flavors all mixed together for a tasty experience. The reason why we love this recipe is that it uses low-fat yogurt, which is a healthier ingredient than the typical mayo, but it still provides creaminess to the dish. The flavor of your salmon will stand out when you enjoy it with this side because of the lemon and garlic.

12. Loaded Broccoli Salad (Low-Carb)

Here is a dish that’s low in carbs so you can have a guilt-free dinner! This broccoli salad is a perfect accompaniment for salmon because it contains broccoli, cauliflower, green onions, and a delectable dressing. It is refreshing and light, plus it adds tons of color to your plate! The best part? It only takes 15 minutes from the time you start making it, so it is assuredly convenient for folks in a time crunch.

13. Classic Three Bean Salad

This side is ideal for when you want something cold to serve with your salmon. It’s comprised of three beans: kidney, cannellini, and green beans. The dressing has oil, apple cider vinegar, and sugar, so it has the perfect amount of tang, with the sugar balancing it out. We love how satisfying this dish is, and it’s even better when you garnish it with freshly cracked black pepper and parmesan cheese!

14. Air Fryer Roasted Carrots

Domestic Superhero provides an easy air-fried carrot recipe that pairs well with salmon! The chunky carrot pieces provide texture to your dish while also being full of nutrients. To make it, you need olive oil, salt and pepper, and carrots to make them. With a cook time of 13 minutes, it doesn’t get any better! You might know that carrots often take longer to cook on the stovetop, so the air fryer speeds things up.

15. Cheesy Zucchini and Squash Casserole

This gorgeous casserole by Mom’s Dish has vibrant yellow and green vegetables to make it eye-catching! The veggies are hearty, but you coat them in a rich garlic cream sauce and parmesan cheese. It turns out golden brown after just 30 minutes in the oven. Serve a heaping scoop of it alongside your fish, and it’ll be a meal to remember!

16. Oven Baked Mashed Potato Cakes

These mashed potato cakes are much more striking than classic mashed potatoes because they are crunchy outside, and you shape them into a disc. The trick is to use a ring mold for the potatoes to make them that shape. When you bake them in the oven, it helps them to achieve that crispy coating. We suggest you serve these alongside your seafood and make a cream sauce to go over both!

17. Sauteed Brussels Sprouts

The earthy taste of Brussels sprouts perfectly pairs with a tender piece of salmon! This recipe is a breeze to make since it has few ingredients, such as olive oil, butter, minced garlic, and Brussels sprouts. A simple dash of salt and pepper enhances the quality of the veggies. Saute them on the stovetop until they get some color, and enjoy them with your seafood dinner!

18. Roasted Garlic Butter Parmesan Potatoes

Take your salmon dish to the next level with the addition of these delectable baby red potatoes. Their crispy exterior and mouth-watering flavor will leave your taste buds tingling with delight. Loaded with fresh garlic, crispy bacon bits, fragrant parsley, and savory cheese, this side dish is the perfect complement to seafood. Best of all, it is a breeze to prepare – simply pop it in the oven and let the magic happen.

19. Cheesy Asparagus with Tomatoes

Yummy Bowl’s salmon side dish recipe features tender asparagus, refreshing cherry tomatoes, onion powder, and garlic. Sprinkle parmesan on top of the asparagus to upgrade its presentation. Fresh basil adds sweetness to the asparagus, which complements the fish’s taste. This recipe is a fantastic choice due to its contrasting components. The best part is that you don’t have to be a pro to get the asparagus to the perfect texture because the recipe is easy to follow!

20. Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice

If you enjoy the texture of rice but want something with fewer carbs, try cauliflower rice! It has a unique taste and texture but still provides that nostalgic feeling of rice. Pair it with salmon after you season it with fresh herbs, butter, and garlic. For best results, heat the minced garlic in the pan first to develop a nutty aroma and richer flavor. Serve the salmon on top of it for a delicious meal!

21. Creamy Cheese Corn Casserole

Our unique recipe for corn casserole has a rich, creamy filling with a cheesy Ritz cracker topping. In each bite, you can taste the corn, cream cheese, sour cream, and spices that are a terrific pair with salmon. You can serve this on the side or put a scoop on top of the fish! We suggest allowing it to cool for a few minutes before you serve it because it comes out of the oven plenty hot!

22. Easy Summer Corn Salad

Here is another recipe that involves corn, but this one is a cold salad dish. It has tomatoes, onion, fresh basil, and peppers to accompany the corn. However, the best part is the dressing and feta cheese that gives the salad a tangy undertone. This is a great choice for when you need a side dish for neighborhood cookouts because it’s easy to make and it’s delectable with BBQ salmon!

23. Browned Butter Gnocchi with Thyme

This recipe by Let’s Dish might just be your family’s new favorite side to eat with seafood. It has fresh gnocchi covered in a buttery, herby sauce. The lemon makes it zesty, while the parmesan adds texture and cheesiness. It only takes 15 minutes total, so it is a game changer when you need something that is quick-cooking, like salmon!

24. Classic Broccoli Salad

We love this broccoli salad recipe because it’s appealing to the eye and tastes incredibly succulent! With broccoli florets, red onions, and bacon, it’s full of flavor. The sunflower seeds add some crunch, while the raisins provide a slightly chewy texture. As you can imagine, it’s a well-rounded dish, and the sweet mayo dressing improves it that much more. You can always use light mayo if you want it to be healthier!

25. Lemon Couscous

If you want grains to serve with your salmon, this couscous side dish is the way to go. It has very few ingredients: dill, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice (of course, aside from the couscous). If you’ve never made couscous, that’s okay! It’s super easy to do, even for beginner cooks. The great thing about this dish is that you can either serve it hot or cold!

26. Parmesan Pesto Roasted Cauliflower

This 30-minute side dish is a fantastic option since you only need cauliflower, pesto, parmesan, and lemon juice to make it. All of the components coat the cauliflower, so you have a mix of savory and zesty flavors when you bite into it. When you squeeze the lemon juice over the veggies before serving, we recommend you also put some on the salmon! You definitely won’t be disappointed with the outcome.

And I’ll leave you with the full details on one of my favorite salmon pairings.