Salmon is one of those proteins that can go sweet, savory, spicy, or bright, so the side dish question comes up almost every time I make it. Some nights I want something starchy and comforting, other nights I just want a quick salad and a good sauce.
Below I’ve rounded up 25 real dishes, sauces, and pairings I actually put on the table with salmon, organized by type so you can find what fits your night. The nutrition figures are approximate and meant as a general guide, not exact counts for any specific recipe.
Key Takeaways
- Starches like rice, potatoes, and couscous soak up salmon's juices and work for almost any night
- Roasted vegetables and fresh salads add the acidity and crunch that balance rich salmon
- A simple sauce, like lemon butter or dill yogurt, does more for flavor than most extra sides
- Light options like miso soup or sauteed spinach keep the meal from feeling heavy
- Fruit-based sides like grilled peaches or mango salsa work especially well in warmer months
What To Serve With Salmon Tonight
Match your mood or your time to one of these first, then add on from there.
| If you want… | Serve this |
|---|---|
| Something light and low-carb | Arugula salad or sauteed spinach |
| A cozy comfort-food dinner | Garlic mashed potatoes or creamy polenta |
| Something bright and summery | Cucumber dill salad or grilled peaches |
| A sauce that ties it all together | Lemon butter sauce or dill yogurt sauce |
| An easy one-pan weeknight side | Roasted asparagus or roasted baby potatoes |
Starches, Rice, and Potato Sides for Salmon
Salmon is rich, so I like a starch underneath it that can catch the pan juices or a squeeze of lemon. The American Heart Association points to fish like salmon as a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is part of why I keep it in the dinner rotation.
1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Approximate nutrition: about 200 calories and 4g of protein per 1 cup, made with butter and milk.
Buttery mashed potatoes soak up salmon’s pan juices, and they’re what I reach for on a chilly weeknight. For more ways to dress them up, see what goes with mashed potatoes.
2. Roasted Baby Potatoes
Approximate nutrition: roughly 110 calories per 1 cup, roasted with olive oil.
Toss halved baby potatoes with olive oil, salt, and rosemary, then roast at 425°F until the skins crisp. They can go in the same oven as your salmon fillet.
3. Lemon Herb Rice Pilaf
Approximate nutrition: about 200 calories and 42g of carbohydrates per 1 cup cooked.
I stir lemon zest and fresh parsley into rice pilaf right before serving so it stays bright, not heavy. For more grain pairings, browse rice sides for salmon, or turn leftovers into a full meal with this salmon fried rice recipe.
4. Creamy Polenta
Approximate nutrition: about 180 calories per 1 cup cooked, with butter and parmesan.
Soft, cheesy polenta is my go-to when I want something that feels a little fancy without much effort. Spoon it under the fillet so the sauce pools into it.
5. Quinoa Salad
Approximate nutrition: about 220 calories and 8g of protein per 1 cup cooked.
A quinoa salad with cucumber, feta, and lemon adds protein and texture. It also holds up well if you’re packing salmon for lunch the next day.
Roasted Vegetable Sides for Salmon
Roasting vegetables alongside salmon is my favorite shortcut because everything finishes in the same oven window. If you’re handling raw salmon and produce on the same cutting board, it’s worth knowing do you wash salmon before cooking so you prep both safely.
6. Roasted Asparagus
Approximate nutrition: about 40 calories per 1 cup, roasted.
Snap off the woody ends, toss with olive oil, and roast at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes until the tips are just crisp. It’s the classic salmon side for a reason.
7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Approximate nutrition: about 65 calories per 1 cup, roasted.
Halved and roasted cut-side down until deeply browned, brussels sprouts add a nutty, slightly bitter contrast to rich salmon.
8. Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Approximate nutrition: about 55 calories per 1 cup, roasted.
High heat and a few minutes under the broiler at the end gives broccoli crispy, charred edges that taste almost like a topping.
9. Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Approximate nutrition: about 50 calories per 1 cup, roasted.
Sweet roasted carrots add color to the plate, and they pair especially well if you’re glazing the salmon with honey or maple.
Fresh Salad Sides for Salmon
Something crisp and acidic cuts through salmon’s richness better than almost anything else on this list. USDA’s MyPlate guidance on vegetables is a good reminder to keep at least one raw or lightly dressed option on the table.
10. Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Approximate nutrition: about 20 calories per 2 cups raw arugula, before dressing.
Peppery arugula with a simple lemon and olive oil vinaigrette is my fastest side. It takes five minutes and never feels like an afterthought.
11. Cucumber Dill Salad
Approximate nutrition: about 45 calories per 1 cup, with a light yogurt or vinegar dressing.
Thinly sliced cucumbers tossed with dill, a little vinegar, and salt taste like a cool contrast to warm, flaky salmon.
12. Fennel and Orange Salad
Approximate nutrition: about 90 calories per 1 cup, with orange segments.
Shaved fennel and orange segments bring a licorice-sweet crunch that I especially like with grilled or broiled salmon.
13. Creamy Coleslaw
Approximate nutrition: about 150 calories per 1 cup, with a mayonnaise-based dressing.
A tangy coleslaw is an easy make-ahead side, and it’s especially good tucked into a salmon taco or sandwich.
Sauces and Toppings for Salmon
A good sauce can turn a plain fillet into the best part of the meal, and it takes almost no extra work. I keep a running list of sauces for salmon and marinades for salmon so I’m never stuck with just lemon wedges.
14. Lemon Butter Sauce
Approximate nutrition: about 100 calories per 2 tablespoons.
Melted butter, lemon juice, and a splash of white wine or stock is the sauce I make more than any other. It comes together in the same pan you cooked the salmon in.
15. Dill Yogurt Sauce
Approximate nutrition: about 35 calories per 2 tablespoons, made with plain yogurt.
Stir chopped dill, lemon, and garlic into plain yogurt for a cool, tangy sauce that’s lighter than butter-based options.
16. Chimichurri
Approximate nutrition: about 90 calories per 2 tablespoons, olive oil based.
This garlicky, herby sauce is bold enough to stand up to a thick salmon fillet, especially one that’s been grilled.
17. Mango Salsa
Approximate nutrition: about 60 calories per 1/2 cup.
Diced mango, red onion, jalapeño, and lime brighten up salmon in the summer. It’s one of the few sides my kids actually ask for.
Soups and Light Sides for Salmon
Some nights I want the salmon to be the main event, so I keep the side light instead of starchy. These work whether the fillet is baked, poached, or pan-seared.
18. Miso Soup
Approximate nutrition: about 40 calories per 1 cup.
A simple miso soup with tofu and scallions is a light, savory starter, and it costs almost nothing to make.
19. Corn Chowder
Approximate nutrition: about 180 calories per 1 cup.
A small cup of corn chowder alongside salmon feels like a full meal in the summer when corn is at its best.
20. Sauteed Spinach
Approximate nutrition: about 40 calories per 1 cup cooked, with a little olive oil.
Wilted spinach with garlic takes less than five minutes and adds a vegetable side without competing with the fish for attention.
Bread and Grain Sides for Salmon
Bread and grains round out the plate when potatoes or rice feel too heavy. Harvard’s Nutrition Source is a good reference for why whole grains are worth including regularly, not just as an occasional side.
21. Crusty Garlic Bread
Approximate nutrition: about 150 calories per slice.
A warm, garlicky baguette is there to mop up whatever sauce is left on the plate, and I never make enough of it.
22. Herbed Couscous
Approximate nutrition: about 175 calories per 1 cup cooked.
Couscous cooks in five minutes flat, which makes it my backup when I forgot to plan a side. Stir in parsley, lemon zest, and olive oil, or use leftovers the next day in this colorful salmon fried rice recipe.
Fruit-Based Sides for Salmon
Fruit isn’t the first thing people think of with salmon, but a little sweetness balances the richness really well. If you’re working with leftover salmon for any of these, it helps to know how to microwave salmon so it reheats gently instead of drying out.
23. Grilled Peaches
Approximate nutrition: about 60 calories per 1 medium peach.
Halved peaches get a quick char on the grill or in a hot skillet, then a drizzle of honey. They’re especially good next to grilled salmon in summer.
24. Avocado Salad
Approximate nutrition: about 160 calories per 1/2 avocado.
Sliced avocado with lime and a pinch of salt is the simplest side on this list, and it adds a creamy contrast that works with almost any salmon preparation.
25. Roasted Grapes
Approximate nutrition: about 100 calories per 1 cup roasted.
Roasting grapes concentrates their sweetness until they almost taste like a light jam. I spoon them over salmon along with the pan juices.
The Bottom Line
There’s no single best side for salmon, but I usually build the plate around one starch, one vegetable or salad, and a sauce if I have five extra minutes.
Roasted asparagus with a lemon butter sauce is the pairing I make most often because it’s fast and reliable. On busier nights, couscous or a quick arugula salad covers the bases without much effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best side dish for salmon?
There’s no single best side, but roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli paired with a starch such as rice or potatoes is the most reliable combination for a balanced plate.
What vegetables go well with salmon?
Asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and carrots all roast well alongside salmon, and cucumber or arugula work well as a fresh, raw option.
What sauce goes best with salmon?
A lemon butter sauce is the classic pairing, though a dill yogurt sauce or chimichurri both work well if you want something lighter or bolder.
Can you serve rice with salmon?
Yes, rice is one of the most common sides for salmon. A lemon herb pilaf or plain steamed rice both work well, and leftover salmon is great stirred into fried rice.
What should I serve with salmon for a dinner party?
For guests, I’d pair salmon with something visually bright, like roasted rainbow carrots or a fennel and orange salad, plus a sauce like chimichurri or mango salsa.