20 Best Side Dishes for Salmon

Simple Broccolini

Broccolini's mild flavor (accented with garlic and lemon juice in this recipe) makes it the perfect side to pair with a show-stealing main, like Alaska Salmon Bake with Pecan Crunch Coating.

Roasted Parmesan Rosemary Potatoes

Sprinkled with Parmesan and rosemary, crispy new potatoes would complement Baked Dijon Salmon.

• Browse Top-Rated Salmon Recipes.

Buttery Garlic Green Beans

Fresh, lemon pepper-seasoned green beans would go well with Lemon Rosemary Salmon and other recipes with subtle citrus notes.

Kale, Quinoa, and Avocado Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

"Excellent! I didn't have quinoa but did have a brown rice, rye, quinoa mix. Served the kale, rice, avocado, and red peppers with the dressing over baked salmon," Fit RD says.

Easy Bok Choy

"Excellent. Perfect complement to grilled salmon with wasabi/soy sauce," Joel Lipin writes. Try this with Honey-Ginger Grilled Salmon.

Sriracha Honey Brussels Sprouts

Sriracha brings the heat to these Brussels sprouts. Try them with Simple Salmon with Balsamic Sauce.

• 12 Ways to Cook With Brussels Sprouts Beyond Just Roasting Them

Lime Cilantro Rice

Home cooks rave that this aromatic rice dish brings zing even to well-seasoned salmon, including Margarita Salmon and Firecracker Grilled Alaska Salmon.

Asian Cucumber and Peanut Salad

With ingredients like chili-garlic sauce, white vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, and chopped peanuts, this salad could transform even the most basic salmon into a memorable meal. But forget basic — pair this salad with Chef John's flavor-packed, five-minute Fast Salmon with a Ginger Glaze.

Couscous Primavera

"I served it with salmon, and it was a hit with my husband. It was easy to make and was a quick side dish to serve," Kathleen Doupnik says. Serve it with lemony Sheet Pan Salmon for an extra dose of veggies.

Citrus-Ginger Roasted Beets and Carrots

Dressed in a citrus-ginger vinaigrette, earthy-sweet beets and carrots would taste AND look wonderful next to Cedar Planked Salmon.

Easy Garlic Kale

Super Simple Salmon + Easy Garlic Kale = one of the easiest, healthiest dinners out there.

Light Lemon Pesto Pasta

You don't have to stick with spaghetti (home cooks have tried it with farfalle and fettuccine), but you *do* have to serve this dish with salmon. Baked Salmon II, perhaps?

Cauliflower Tabbouleh

This crunchy raw salad would cut through rich entrees like Salmon with Garlic-Butter Sauce thanks to parsley, mint, and lemon juice.

Oven-Roasted Asparagus

"Our favorite way to make asparagus! Served it with grilled salmon — excellent," VWS writes.

Asian Coleslaw

Thanks to peanut butter — ahem, a savory secret ingredient — this slaw would be irresistible with Sweet Glazed Salmon.

Gourmet Mushroom Risotto

This creamy, Italian-style risotto is worth the wait. It's an excellent complement to salmon's mild flavor. Recipe creator Myleen Sagrado Sjodin suggests testing the rice to make sure it's al dente: "or resist slightly to the tooth but not be hard in the center."

Mediterranean Farro Salad

Farro is a favorite ancient grain around here — it's high in fiber and protein, and has a mild, nutty flavor that plays well with others. Here it's tossed in a Greek vinaigrette along with peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and feta.

• 15 Farro Recipes That Show Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Whole-Grain

Sarah's Rice Pilaf

In this take on classic rice pilaf, orzo pasta, onion, garlic, rice, and chicken broth are combined until light and fluffy. Don't be fooled by the simple ingredient list, reviewers say this pilaf does not disappoint: "This dish was incredibly good...something that I would definitely make again!" raves reviewer larkspur.

Adrienne's Cucumber Salad

This cool and refreshing cucumber salad is the perfect pairing for rich, oily salmon. Reviewer Lauren Sarges suggests you salt the cucumbers first to draw out excess water.

Instant Pot Linguine with Pesto and Peas

Similar to pasta primavera, this creamy pasta side dish makes for a hearty meal when paired with salmon. The addition of prepared pesto sauce brings herbaceous flavor.

Related:

• Our Top 20 Salmon Recipes
• 20 Top-Rated Salmon Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes or Less
• Browse our entire collection of Side Dish Recipes.