Got your salmon picked out but still deciding what goes beside it? These side dishes for salmon give you plenty to choose from, including golden potatoes, colorful salads and rice with a little something extra.
Some are shown on their own while others are part of a whole salmon plate.
You can keep things simple or fill your plate with a few different sides. I especially love the lemony greens and bright mango combinations.
Start with whichever one makes you want to pull up a chair!
Salmon Side Dish Ideas Worth Saving
lemon parmesan asparagus
We’re starting off strong with this roasted lemon Parmesan garlic asparagus. I love the browned spears with all those little cheese shavings.
The lemon slices make the platter look even more inviting.
Serve a few spears beside your salmon with an extra lemon wedge if you like a citrusy finish.
quinoa and chickpea salad
If you want more than a plain scoop of grains, this one is for you. The quinoa is mixed with chickpeas and little red and green vegetable pieces, with salmon sitting right on top.
I’d serve the dressing on the side like this so you can add as much or as little as you want.
cucumber rounds and dill
How pretty is this cucumber and dill combination? The glossy rounds are tucked between chunks of salmon, with plenty of feathery dill scattered throughout.
For a separate side, take inspiration from the cucumber mixture and serve it in its own bowl. Keep the lemon wedges for the table.
Read also: 20 Side Dishes for Chicken and Dinner Pairing Ideas
jasmine rice
Don’t want to go all out with your side dish? No problem!
This jasmine rice keeps things simple beside the glossy teriyaki salmon. I love the sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top.
golden potatoes and asparagus
This may just be one of my favorite plates here. The golden potato pieces have such lovely browned edges, with a generous pile of asparagus alongside them.
You don’t have to choose between potatoes and greens. Serve a little of each, then add lemon slices like the ones on this plate.
green beans with sliced almonds
Give your green beans a little extra attention with a topping like this. Sliced almonds and sesame seeds are scattered all through the pile, rather than just sitting on top.
I’d pair these with simply seasoned salmon so the beans get their moment too.
mango avocado salsa
I am obsessed with the colors in this bowl. Yellow mango, green avocado and little pieces of red onion make such a pretty mix.
The cilantro leaves and lime wedges finish it off.
Read also: 20 Side Dishes for Burgers and Cookout Ideas Worth Saving
Spoon some beside your salmon, or try a little over the top. Keep the chips nearby if you want to serve the rest as a dip.
wild rice with pecans
If you are looking for a rice side with lots of different details, then this one is for you. There are pale and dark grains, pecan pieces and little red dried-fruit accents.
The rosemary sprig is such a pretty finishing touch. I’d bring this bowl straight to the table for everyone to share.
lemon orzo and greens
The orzo fans are going to love this! Lemon orzo surrounds the browned salmon, with leafy greens folded all through the pasta.
Follow the serving idea here and nestle your salmon over the orzo instead of keeping everything separate. That little change makes a lovely dinner plate.
browned broccolini
Don’t want to add another grain or potato dish? Look no further because this broccolini is for you.
I love the darkened tips against the bright green stems. A lemon wedge on the side is all I’d add at the table.
cucumber and grain salad
There’s so much to love about this platter, from the chunky cucumber to the dill and white cheese crumbles. The fine grains fill in the spaces between the salmon pieces.
For a side-dish version, you could keep the grain salad separate from the fish. I’d keep the generous handful of herbs either way.
golden orange vegetable bites
Those browned edges are my favorite part of this bowl. The orange vegetable chunks have a glossy coating, with little herb sprigs tucked between them.
Read also: 20 Healthy Vegetarian Recipes and Meal Ideas to Inspire Your Week
If you want to try a similar side, roasted squash would be a lovely starting point. Serve it beside your salmon rather than adding another rich sauce.
quinoa and spinach
This is another way to serve quinoa, but it’s a little simpler than the salad above. Pale quinoa and glossy spinach leaves sit underneath the salmon, with a lemon wedge at the edge.
Save this one if you like keeping the different parts of your dinner easy to see.
colorful thai slaw
How gorgeous is this slaw? The purple cabbage, orange strips and green herbs bring so much color to the salmon bowl.
Little red chili slices appear throughout too.
Read also: 20 Healthy Recipes for Weight Loss to Inspire Your Meal Planning
You could serve the slaw in a separate bowl if you’re not making the whole rice bowl. I’d keep a lime wedge beside it.
a simple creamy mash
If you’re looking for something without lots of toppings, take inspiration from this bowl. The pale mash has deep spoon swirls filled with a golden drizzle and a scattering of black pepper.
Try the same presentation with mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash alongside your salmon.
green ribbons and snap peas
I love the curled green ribbons on this plate. They’re piled with snap peas, salmon pieces and leafy herbs over a white, softly textured base.
For your own side, try cucumber ribbons and snap peas over a spoonful of ricotta. That’s a variation you could serve separately from the fish.
green puree and fresh herbs
Want something a little different from a pile of vegetables? This bright green puree sits beside the salmon with a loose mound of herbs over the top.
A pea puree would be one way to try a similar plate. Keep the lemon wedge and fresh dill if you love those little finishing touches.
browned carrot rounds
These carrot rounds are anything but plain-looking. I love the deeply browned edges and the tiny herb leaves scattered over them.
Try a generous spoonful beside a simply prepared salmon fillet. You could add a green salad if you want another side without another roasted vegetable.
scallion cilantro lime rice
This is such a pretty alternative to white rice. The scallion cilantro lime rice has a bright green color, with thin lime slices arranged right in the middle.
I’d choose this for a salmon bowl with avocado or a little mango salsa. You can keep the fish seasoning simple.
tomatoes and asparagus
Last but definitely not least, we have this colorful tomato and asparagus pairing. I love the red and yellow tomatoes piled over the salmon, with the green spears alongside.
For a side-dish version, serve the chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Add asparagus to the plate and let everyone spoon on their own tomatoes.