✔ Updated · 37 sides by type, plus pairings for each salmon style
Salmon is rich and cooks fast, so it needs sides that are fresh, bright and quick. Here are 37 of the best, from asparagus to lemon orzo.
The best side dishes for salmon are roasted asparagus, green beans, broccoli, roasted or mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, lemon orzo, couscous and cucumber or arugula salads. Lemon, dill, garlic and herbs tie the plate together. Pair one vegetable with one starch, and start the sides first, since salmon cooks in about 12 to 15 minutes at 400°F to a safe 145°F.
- Quickest: sauteed spinach, snap peas and arugula salad.
- Classic: roasted asparagus and rice pilaf.
- Hearty: smashed potatoes or mushroom risotto.
- Low-carb: spaghetti squash, broccoli or cucumber salad.
Vegetable Sides
Green vegetables are the classic match for salmon: they cook as fast as the fish and their freshness cuts through its richness.
1. Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
Asparagus roasted at 425°F with olive oil, salt and lemon zest in about 10 minutes; the classic salmon partner.
2. Green Beans Almondine
Blanched green beans tossed with butter, garlic and toasted sliced almonds for crunch.
3. Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon
Steamed or roasted broccoli finished with garlic, lemon juice and a little Parmesan or toasted almonds.
4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Halved sprouts roasted until crisp and caramelized, finished with balsamic glaze or honey and chili.
5. Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
Fresh spinach wilted in olive oil with garlic and lemon in under 5 minutes; light and full of iron.
6. Glazed Carrots
Carrots cooked with butter and honey or maple syrup until glossy and tender; kid-friendly and colorful.
Get the recipe →7. Sugar Snap Peas
Snap peas sauteed in butter and oil with a pinch of salt and mint, ready in under 5 minutes.
8. Steamed Artichokes
Whole artichokes steamed until tender and served with lemon butter or garlic aioli for dipping.
9. Ratatouille
Provencal stew of zucchini, eggplant, peppers and tomatoes; great with salmon in late summer.
10. Stuffed Acorn Squash
Roasted acorn squash halves filled with rice or grains, nuts and dried fruit; a cozy fall side.
11. Spaghetti Squash
Roasted spaghetti squash strands tossed with roasted tomatoes, garlic and basil; a low-carb pasta swap.
Get the recipe →Potato Sides
Potatoes turn salmon into a hearty dinner. Pick crispy roasted potatoes for crunch or mash for comfort.
12. Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes
Halved red potatoes roasted with olive oil, garlic and rosemary until crisp outside and fluffy inside.
13. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Buttery mashed potatoes, plain or with garlic, herbs or lemon zest to echo the fish.
Get the recipe →
14. Hasselback Potatoes
Thin-sliced potatoes roasted with butter until the edges crisp like chips; looks impressive with little work.
Get the recipe →
15. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Roasted sweet potatoes, whole or in wedges, with butter, cinnamon or smoked paprika; sweet against savory salmon.
16. Smashed Baby Potatoes
Boiled baby potatoes smashed flat and roasted until crisp, then finished with dill, lemon and flaky salt.
17. Classic Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad with egg, celery and mustard; add fresh dill to match cold or grilled salmon.
Get the recipe →Rice, Grains and Pasta
A grain soaks up any sauce on the salmon and makes the meal more filling.
18. Rice Pilaf
Rice toasted in butter with onion, then simmered in broth; a classic, all-purpose salmon side.
19. Cilantro Lime Rice
Fluffy rice with lime juice and chopped cilantro; ideal for blackened, teriyaki or salmon taco nights.
Get the recipe →20. Coconut Rice
Jasmine rice cooked in coconut milk; mild and slightly sweet, great with Asian-style glazed salmon.
21. Lemon Herb Couscous
Couscous with lemon, herbs, cucumber and tomato; ready in about 10 minutes and good warm or cold.
22. Quinoa Salad
Quinoa with cucumber, tomatoes, feta, herbs and lemon vinaigrette; a protein-packed side for meal prep.
23. Lemon Orzo
Orzo tossed with lemon, butter, Parmesan and herbs; creamy like risotto with far less work.
24. Lemon Garlic Pasta
Spaghetti or linguine in olive oil, garlic, lemon and Parmesan; light enough not to overwhelm the fish.
25. Mushroom Risotto
Creamy Arborio rice with mushrooms and Parmesan; a special-occasion side for pan-seared salmon.
26. Wild Rice Pilaf
Nutty wild rice blend with mushrooms, celery and herbs; hearty and good for holiday salmon dinners.
27. Lentil Salad
Simmered green or black lentils with shallot, mustard vinaigrette and herbs; a classic French pairing.
Salads and Slaws
Crisp, acidic salads balance salmon's richness and suit summer grilling.
28. Cucumber Dill Salad
Thin cucumbers and red onion in a yogurt or vinegar dressing with fresh dill; cool and refreshing.
29. Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Diced cucumber, tomatoes, red onion and olives with olive oil and lemon; a simple Mediterranean side.
30. Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine with Parmesan, croutons and Caesar dressing; turns salmon into a classic salmon Caesar.
31. Arugula Salad with Lemon
Peppery arugula, shaved Parmesan, lemon juice and olive oil; done in two minutes.
32. Asian Slaw
Shredded cabbage and carrots in a sesame, rice vinegar and soy dressing; ideal with teriyaki or miso salmon.
33. Black Bean and Mango Salad
Black beans, mango, corn, peppers, red onion and cilantro with lime; bright with spicy or blackened salmon.
34. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, red onion and herbs in a lemony dressing; filling and make-ahead.
Summer and Grill Sides
Firing up the grill for salmon? These cook alongside it.
35. Cilantro Lime Corn
Roasted or grilled corn brushed with lime butter and cilantro; sweet, smoky and perfect for cookouts.
36. Grilled Zucchini
Zucchini planks grilled with olive oil, salt and herbs, finished with lemon and feta.
37. Vegetable Frittata
An egg frittata packed with vegetables and Parmesan; makes salmon a brunch, served warm or cold.
Best Sides for Each Type of Salmon
| Salmon style | Best vegetable | Best starch |
|---|---|---|
| Baked or roasted with lemon | Roasted asparagus | Rice pilaf or lemon orzo |
| Grilled | Grilled zucchini or corn | Smashed potatoes or quinoa salad |
| Teriyaki or soy-glazed | Asian slaw or snap peas | Coconut or jasmine rice |
| Blackened or Cajun | Black bean and mango salad | Cilantro lime rice |
| Honey garlic or maple | Green beans almondine | Mashed potatoes |
| Pan-seared with butter sauce | Sauteed spinach | Mushroom risotto |
| Cold poached or smoked | Cucumber dill salad | Potato salad with dill |
How to Plan a Salmon Dinner
- Pick one vegetable and one starch. A salad can replace the vegetable on busy nights.
- Start the sides first. Salmon bakes in 12 to 15 minutes at 400°F, so get potatoes or rice going before the fish goes in.
- Cook salmon to 145°F in the thickest part, or until it flakes easily, per USDA guidance.
- Repeat a flavor: lemon, dill or garlic in both the fish and the side makes the plate taste planned.
- Share the oven: roast asparagus or broccoli on a second sheet pan at the same temperature.
More Salmon Ideas
Turn leftovers into salmon fried rice or one of our leftover salmon recipes, or try a spicy sushi salmon bake. For more sides, see potato side dishes, low-carb sides and rice recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good side dish for salmon?
Roasted asparagus, green beans, broccoli, roasted potatoes, rice pilaf and lemon orzo are all classic accompaniments for salmon. They are quick, mild and pair well with lemon and herbs. For a lighter meal, serve salmon with a cucumber dill salad or arugula salad instead of a starch.
What vegetables go best with salmon?
Asparagus is the classic pairing, followed by green beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, snap peas and zucchini. Choose vegetables that cook in 10 to 20 minutes so they are ready with the fish, and finish them with lemon, garlic or herbs to match the salmon.
What starch goes with salmon?
Rice, potatoes and pasta all work. Rice pilaf, cilantro lime rice or coconut rice suit glazed or spicy salmon, while roasted, smashed or mashed potatoes suit baked and grilled salmon. Lemon orzo, couscous and quinoa are quick, lighter options that soak up any sauce.
What should I serve with salmon for a dinner party?
Try roasted asparagus with mushroom risotto, Hasselback potatoes or wild rice pilaf, and start with a simple arugula salad. These look impressive but are easy to time, since the sides can roast or simmer while the salmon cooks in about 15 minutes.
What are healthy sides for salmon?
Steamed or roasted green vegetables, quinoa salad, lentil salad, cucumber salad, spaghetti squash and sweet potatoes are all nutritious, lighter choices. Use olive oil, lemon and herbs instead of heavy cream sauces to keep the meal light while still full of flavor.
