Salmon is one of those proteins I make on repeat. It’s fast, it’s forgiving, and my family never complains when it shows up on the table. But here’s the question I get asked more than almost any other, and it’s not about the fish itself; it’s about good sides for salmon. “Kathleen, what do I make with it?“
I get it. You’ve got the fish figured out, whether it’s my Raspberry Glazed Salmon, Air Fryer Salmon, Sous Vide Salmon, or Honey Garlic Salmon; now you’re standing at the fridge wondering what goes with it that isn’t the same tired rice and steamed broccoli you make every single week. That’s exactly why I put together this big list of Salmon Side Dishes, so you never have to stare blankly into the fridge on a Tuesday again!
What to Serve with Salmon
Quick answer: Salmon brings its own protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and a buttery, satisfying flavor to the table, so the best side dishes bring something it doesn’t already have. I want acid, crunch, brightness or a little char, something that balances all that richness instead of piling more on. That’s the whole idea here, and honestly, it’s how you end up with a plate that just works.
Baked salmon pairs well with bright roasted vegetables and something starchy to round it out. Grilled salmon calls for cool, crisp salads to balance the smoke. Pan-seared salmon does best with sides that can hold their own while you’re babysitting that skillet. Glazed or Asian-style salmon also wants rice and vegetables sturdy enough to stand up to a sweet or savory sauce.
If you want to dress it up even more, a simple sauce does the job too. A dill cream sauce, a lemon butter, or a quick garlic yogurt aioli all work well spooned over salmon; just keep it to one rich element on the plate since the fish already brings plenty on its own.
Baked or Roasted Salmon Sides
Baked salmon is mellow and a little rich, so I like to pair it with roasted veggies. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips go tender and golden brown in the same oven window as the fish, roasted with a little butter for extra depth, and something with a little acid wakes up the whole plate.
Braised Red Cabbage
Air Fryer Asparagus
Best Au Gratin Potatoes (Dauphinoise Potatoes)
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes
Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli
Braised Cabbage
Roasted Cabbage
Roasted Rosemary Red Potatoes
Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole (Vegetable Au Gratin)
Baked Squash Casserole
Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits
Steakhouse Romaine Wedge Salad
Grilled Salmon Sides
Grilled salmon picks up smoke and char, so it wants something cool and bright beside it. This is where crunchy salads earn their spot on the plate. A cucumber salad with cherry tomatoes and thin red onion, tossed with red wine vinegar and a little olive oil, cuts right through that smoky flavor.
A kale salad with feta and fresh herbs like dill or basil works just as well, stirred in at the end for texture and pop, a squeeze of lemon juice and some lemon zest ties it all together.
Feta Watermelon Salad
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
Apple Cabbage Slaw
Cucumber Dill Salad
Grilled Corn
Zucchini Corn Fritters
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Bacon Macaroni Salad
Warm German Style Potato Salad
Cowboy Baked Beans
Best Mexican Fruit Salad
Chicken Salad Chick Copycat Broccoli Salad
Pan-Seared Salmon Sides
Pan-seared salmon does best with sides that can take care of themselves while you’re babysitting that skillet.
A sheet pan of cauliflower or spinach tossed in olive oil, salt, and pepper, maybe a sprinkling of parmesan cheese near the end, takes care of itself under the broiler while you’re focused on the fish. Crispy potatoes are another good match here, they roast on their own timeline and stay perfect even if your salmon needs an extra minute. If you’d rather skip the oven altogether, a bowl of warm quinoa tossed with a little lemon and herbs comes together in about the same time it takes to sear the salmon.
Roasted Potatoes and Onions
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Wild Rice Harvest Salad
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Southern Style Green Beans
Italian Chopped Salad
Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Fresh French Bread
Butter Lettuce Salad
Glazed or Asian-Style Salmon Sides
If your salmon has teriyaki, soy, or a sweet glaze, like my Raspberry Glazed Salmon, you want sides that can go toe to toe with those bold flavors. Steamed jasmine or sushi rice is the obvious pick; it soaks up any extra glaze pooling on the plate instead of fighting it.
A quick cucumber and sesame salad, or a crunchy slaw with a splash of rice vinegar, cuts through the sweetness the same way a bright side cuts through smoke on the grilled sides above. Snap peas or edamame, tossed with just a little soy and sesame oil, keep the whole plate leaning the same direction instead of clashing with what’s already on the fish.
Easy Instant Pot Glazed Carrots
Vegetable Hibachi
Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
Sesame Snap Peas
Coconut Rice
Mango Sticky Rice
Cilantro Lime Rice
Jalapeno Corn Casserole
Cheesy Asparagus Bake
What to Serve with Salmon for a Dinner Party
If you’re serving salmon for company, I’d build the plate around one starch, one vegetable, and one salad, plus a basket of warm bread on the table because no dinner party plate feels finished without it.
My top pick is the Au Gratin Potatoes, Air Fryer Asparagus, and a Holiday Salad with cranberries and almonds if it’s fall or winter, or the Wild Rice Harvest Salad any time of year. For a bigger crowd, add my Corn Pudding Casserole or the Ultimate Green Bean Casserole. Both feel like a holiday table even on a regular night. It looks like a lot of effort. It isn’t.
Timing: What to Start First
This is the part that actually matters on a weeknight. Salmon cooks fast, usually 10 to 20 minutes depending on the method, so your sides need to be planned around it, not the other way around.
- Start anything slow first. Potato gratin, roasted potatoes, or anything in the slow cooker goes in before you even think about the salmon.
- Prep salads and slaws next. Most of these can sit in the fridge for an hour or more, and some even taste better after resting.
- Cook quick vegetables last, alongside the salmon. Asparagus, snap peas, or sautéed greens should hit the pan or oven at the same time as your fish so everything lands on the table hot together.
- Let the salmon rest for a couple of minutes after it comes out of the oven or off the grill. Use that time to plate your sides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Asparagus is the classic pairing for good reason. It roasts in the same amount of time salmon bakes, and the flavors work together without one overpowering the other. Green beans, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are close runners-up.
Potatoes, rice, quinoa, and couscous all work well. For a lighter meal, rice or couscous are easier on the stomach than a heavy potato gratin. For a special occasion, potatoes win every time.
Yes, especially the salads and slaws in this list. Pasta salad, slaw, and wild rice salad all hold up in the fridge for a day or more, so they’re my first pick for entertaining.
Avoid pairing salmon with another heavy, buttery sauce, since the fish is already rich on its own. A cream-heavy side works, but keep it to one indulgent element per plate so nothing feels like too much.
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