What Goes Well with Salmon for Dinner: 18 Best Sides
Salmon is one of those dinners that practically cooks itself. A good fillet needs maybe 12 minutes in the oven and you're done. The real question is always the same: what do you put next to it?
After years of cooking salmon at least twice a week, I've landed on 18 sides that actually work. Not just "technically edible together" but genuinely good pairings where the side and the salmon make each other better.
I've grouped them into five categories so you can mix and match depending on what you're in the mood for. Pick one from each section and you'll have a dinner worth sitting down for.
Vegetables
1. Roasted Asparagus
This is the pairing. Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, and a pinch of garlic powder. Roast at 425°F for 10-12 minutes until the tips get slightly crispy. The slight bitterness is a perfect counterpoint to salmon's richness.
If you're making lemon garlic salmon, throw a few lemon slices on the asparagus too. They were born to share a plate.
2. Roasted Broccolini
Broccolini has a sweeter, more delicate flavor than regular broccoli. Toss it with olive oil and red pepper flakes, then roast until the edges char just slightly. Those crispy bits are everything.
It cooks in roughly the same time as salmon, which makes it a weeknight hero. One sheet pan, two items, dinner in 15 minutes.
3. Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic
Heat a skillet with a little butter, toss in trimmed green beans, and cook for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic for the last 30 seconds. That's it.
The snap of a properly cooked green bean against tender salmon is one of those textures that just clicks. Don't overcook them — you want some bite left.
4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Halve them, toss with olive oil and salt, and roast cut-side down at 425°F until deeply caramelized. We're talking 20-25 minutes. The flat sides should be almost blackened.
That caramelization creates a nutty sweetness that balances salmon beautifully. A drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end takes it over the top.
Starches
5. Roasted Baby Potatoes
Halve small Yukon Golds, toss with olive oil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes. Crispy outside, creamy inside. They soak up any sauce or juice from the salmon.
This is my go-to when I want a hearty salmon dinner without a lot of fuss. Sometimes I'll smash them halfway through roasting for extra crunch.
6. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Boil Yukon Golds until fork-tender, mash with roasted garlic, butter, and a splash of cream. Keep them a little chunky — you're not making baby food.
There's something deeply satisfying about dragging a piece of salmon through a pile of garlicky mashed potatoes. Comfort food at its finest.
7. Sweet Potato Wedges
Cut sweet potatoes into thick wedges, toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne. Roast at 425°F for 25 minutes, flipping once.
The natural sweetness of the potato plays off the savory salmon in a way that sounds weird but absolutely works. Especially with baked salmon that has a honey or maple glaze.
8. Parmesan Risotto
Yes, risotto takes 20 minutes of stirring. But the result is worth every second. A creamy Parmesan risotto underneath a piece of seared salmon is restaurant-level food that costs about $4 a plate to make at home.
Use arborio rice, add warm stock a ladle at a time, and finish with good Parmesan and a knob of butter. Don't rush it.
Salads
9. Classic Greek Salad
Cucumber, tomato, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta. Dressed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano. That's a proper Greek salad — no lettuce needed.
The briny feta and sharp red onion cut through the richness of salmon like nothing else. This is probably my single most-cooked salmon side dish.
10. Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Peppery arugula, shaved Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and a simple lemon-olive oil dressing. Takes about 3 minutes to throw together.
The peppery bite of arugula is a natural match for fatty fish. If you've never tried this combination, start here. It might become your new default.
11. Cucumber Dill Salad
Thinly slice cucumbers, toss with fresh dill, a splash of rice vinegar, a tiny bit of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
This Scandinavian-inspired side is cool, refreshing, and cuts through richness without competing for attention. It's particularly good in summer when you want something light.
12. Kale Caesar
Massage chopped kale with a little olive oil until it softens. Toss with Caesar dressing, croutons, and shaved Parmesan. The hearty leaves hold up better than romaine and add a slight earthiness.
Kale Caesar with salmon has become a weeknight staple in my kitchen. It feels substantial enough to be a full meal without being heavy.
Grains
13. Lemon Herb Quinoa
Cook quinoa according to package directions, then toss with lemon juice, fresh parsley, a little olive oil, and salt. It's light, nutty, and packed with protein to go alongside your salmon.
If you're building a quinoa bowl, top it with salmon, avocado, and a drizzle of tahini. That's a complete dinner right there.
14. Wild Rice Pilaf
Wild rice has a chewy texture and earthy flavor that's tailor-made for salmon. Cook it with chicken broth instead of water, then fold in dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and fresh thyme.
This is my pick when I'm serving salmon to company. It looks impressive and tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.
15. Couscous with Herbs
Pearl couscous (the big kind, not the fine grain) cooked in broth and tossed with fresh mint, parsley, diced cucumber, and a squeeze of lemon. Ready in about 10 minutes.
It's light enough for summer dinners but substantial enough to satisfy. The herbs bring brightness that salmon loves.
16. Garlic Fried Rice
Day-old rice, a generous amount of minced garlic, soy sauce, and a fried egg on top. This is the side dish for when you want salmon night to feel a little different.
It leans into Asian-inspired flavors, which pair incredibly well with salmon. Add a drizzle of sesame oil and some sliced scallions to finish.
Sauces
17. Lemon Dill Butter Sauce
Melt butter in a small pan, add lemon juice, fresh dill, a pinch of salt, and a tiny bit of garlic. That's it. Spoon it over your salmon right before serving.
This three-minute sauce makes any piece of salmon taste like it came from a nice restaurant. I use it at least once a week and I'm not tired of it yet. It's especially good on lemon garlic salmon if you want to really lean into those flavors.
18. Honey Garlic Glaze
Whisk together honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar. Brush it on salmon during the last few minutes of cooking. The sugars caramelize and create this sticky, sweet-savory crust.
Kids love this one. It's also a great gateway for people who say they don't like fish. The sweetness makes salmon approachable without masking its flavor.
How to Build Your Salmon Dinner
The trick to a great salmon dinner is balance. You want something from at least two categories. Here are a few combinations I come back to again and again:
The Classic: Baked salmon + roasted asparagus + garlic mashed potatoes. Safe, delicious, everyone's happy.
The Light One: Seared salmon + arugula salad + lemon dill butter sauce. Perfect for warmer nights when you want something fresh.
The Hearty One: Salmon fillet + wild rice pilaf + roasted Brussels sprouts. Filling without being heavy. Great for fall and winter.
The Quick Weeknight: Salmon + quinoa bowl with whatever vegetables you have. Fifteen minutes, minimal dishes.
Date Night: Salmon over Parmesan risotto + sauteed green beans + honey garlic glaze. Looks fancy. Tastes fancy. Not actually hard.
Don't overthink it. Salmon is forgiving. Pick sides you're excited to eat and the fish will do the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetable goes best with salmon?
Roasted asparagus is the classic choice. The slight bitterness and crunch complement salmon's richness perfectly. Broccolini, green beans, and roasted Brussels sprouts are also excellent — you honestly can't go wrong with any green vegetable.
What starch goes well with salmon?
Roasted baby potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, and wild rice are the most popular starches to serve with salmon. They're mild enough to let the fish shine while adding substance to the meal. Sweet potato wedges are a great option if you want something a little different.
Is rice or pasta better with salmon?
Both work well, but rice (especially jasmine or wild rice) is the more traditional pairing. Pasta works best with flaked salmon in a creamy or lemon-based sauce, while rice pairs beautifully alongside a whole fillet. For something in between, try pearl couscous.
What salad goes with salmon for dinner?
A Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and feta is one of the best salads alongside salmon. Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette is a close second — the peppery greens balance the richness of the fish.
What sauce is best on salmon?
Lemon-dill butter sauce is the most popular choice and takes just three minutes to make. Other favorites include honey garlic glaze, creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, teriyaki, and a simple squeeze of fresh lemon with capers.