Side Dishes for Baked Salmon

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Making a Baked Salmon dinner but not sure what to serve with it? Here are 30 of the Best Sides for Baked Salmon! I have a list of delicious options from rice and bread to fresh salads that’ll give your dinner roster a serious upgrade.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Best Side Dish for Baked Salmon?

A good side for baked salmon is all about balance. I want something that makes the salmon taste better without taking attention away from it. It should feel easy, fresh, and natural on the plate.

• Fresh and light flavors: I love lemon, herbs, garlic, and olive oil. These bright flavors work well with salmon and cut through the rich, buttery taste.
• Good texture balance: Salmon is soft and flaky, so I usually choose something with contrast. Creamy mashed potatoes, crisp roasted vegetables, or fluffy rice add variety in every bite.
• Simple seasoning: I keep seasoning simple. Salt, pepper, herbs, and a little spice are enough. Salmon already has strong flavor, so sides only need to support it.
• Works with different cooking styles: I like sides that work with baked, grilled, or pan-seared salmon. Rice, pasta, and roasted vegetables stay reliable in any version of the dish.
• Fits the meal occasion: On busy nights, I go with quick options like salad or rice. For a more complete meal, I add pasta, bread, or potatoes to make it feel more filling.

Which Side Dishes for Baked Salmon Should You Serve?

There are many side dishes for baked salmon, so keeping things simple makes meal planning easier. These Side Dishes for Baked Salmon help you mix flavors and textures while letting the salmon stay the main focus.

Quick and Simple Sides

Fast, easy, and perfect for busy nights when dinner needs to come together without stress.

• Cilantro Lime Rice – Bright citrus flavor that keeps salmon meals light and fresh.
• Butter Rice – Soft texture that balances rich and flaky salmon.
• Roasted Green Beans – Easy vegetable side with crisp bite.
• Roasted Asparagus – Light roasted flavor that pairs well with fish..

Warm and Hearty Sides

Warm, cozy dishes that turn baked salmon into a more filling dinner.

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Creamy side that makes the meal more filling.
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes – Mild sweetness that works well with savory salmon.
• Scalloped Potatoes – Rich, baked layers with soft texture.
• Fondant Potatoes – Crisp edges with tender center for added texture.
• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – Creamy comfort that pairs with salmon easily.
• Browned Butter Alfredo Pasta – Rich, buttery pasta with smooth finish.

Pasta and Bread Sides

Simple carbs that round out the plate and keep everything satisfying.

• Parmesan and Garlic Linguine Pasta – Simple savory pasta that doesn’t overpower salmon.
• Lemon Basil Pasta with Spring Veggies – Light pasta with fresh flavor.
• Italian Pasta Salad Recipe – Cold side that works well for make-ahead meals.
• Homemade Garlic Bread – Warm, buttery bread that rounds out the meal.
• Focaccia – Soft bread with light savory flavor.
• Parmesan Bread Bites – Small bites with bold cheese flavor.
• Dinner Rolls – Soft and neutral bread option.
• Sweet Potato Rolls – Soft rolls with slight natural sweetness.

Roasted Vegetable Sides

Roasted sides that bring color, texture, and balance to the meal.

• Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad – Hearty mix with protein and texture.
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad – Fresh flavors with bold seasoning.
• Roasted Root Vegetables – Deep roasted flavor with hearty feel.
• Roasted Cauliflower – Light and simple vegetable side.
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts – Crisp edges with strong roasted taste.
• Roasted Acorn Squash – Soft texture with mild sweetness.

Fresh Salads

Light, crisp options that keep the meal balanced and refreshing.

• Caprese Salad Recipe – Fresh tomato, basil, and mozzarella combination.
• Greek Salad – Crisp vegetables with tangy dressing.
• Cucumber Tomato Salad – Light and refreshing mix.
• That Good Salad – Versatile salad that fits any meal.

How to Choose a Side

Choosing side dishes for baked salmon is easier than you might think. A couple of well-paired sides can turn a simple piece of salmon into a meal that feels complete.

• Start with balance: Baked salmon has a rich, buttery flavor, so fresh salads, roasted vegetables, or citrusy rice help keep the meal from feeling too heavy.
• Add some texture: Pair flaky salmon with something creamy like mashed potatoes or something crisp like roasted asparagus or green beans.
• Keep your plate simple: A starch and a vegetable are usually all you need for an easy, well-rounded dinner.
• Build your meal around the occasion:
  • Weeknight Dinner → Butter Rice + Roasted Green Beans
  • Family Dinner → Garlic Mashed Potatoes + Dinner Rolls
  • Light Meal → Greek Salad + Roasted Asparagus
  • Dinner Guests → Fondant Potatoes + Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad
  • Holiday Table → Scalloped Potatoes + Roasted Brussels Sprouts

One of my favorite things about baked salmon is how easy it is to pair with different sides. Pick a few favorites from this list and build a meal that everyone at the table will be excited to dig into.

Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a lot of special equipment to make these Side Dishes for Baked Salmon. A few basic kitchen tools will help you prepare most of the recipes in this roundup.

• Baking sheet – Perfect for roasting asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, green beans, and other vegetables.
• Large pot – Great for cooking rice, pasta, potatoes, and quinoa.
• Mixing bowls – Handy for tossing salads, pasta salads, and quinoa salads.
• Chef’s knife and cutting board – Makes chopping vegetables and fresh herbs quick and easy.

The Full List of Side Dishes for Baked Salmon

Click through the recipes below to find all of the delicious side dishes for baked salmon mentioned above. There’s something here for every kind of meal.

1

Cilantro Lime Rice

This Cilantro Lime Rice recipe is an easy side dish that can go with chicken, pork or beef. Light and refreshing yet super versatile!

Check out this recipe

2

Butter Rice

My Famous Butter Rice is seriously the best! Add a few simple ingredients to make the most buttery, delicious rice you've ever had!

Check out this recipe

3

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad has amazing depth of flavor from all of the roasted veggies and great texture from the quinoa.

Check out this recipe

4

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

When you’re looking for a healthy snack or a lighter dinner, this simple Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, filled with yummy add-ins, is perfect.

Check out this recipe

5

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

This Italian Pasta salad recipe has it all! Tender pasta, salty pepperoni, cubed mozzarella, lots of diced veggies and a homemade olive oil and garlic dressing. The longer it sits the better it tastes! Perfect for potlucks, BBQs or simple side dish.

Check out this recipe

6

Lemon Basil Pasta with Spring Veggies

This Lemon Basil Pasta is creamy, light, lemony, healthy, and packed with yummy green veggies. It's especially amazing tossed with whole wheat spaghetti.

Check out this recipe

7

Parmesan and Garlic Linguine Pasta

Parmesan and Garlic Linguine Pasta is super easy, fast and SO flavorful! This is sure to be one of your new favorite linguine recipes!

Check out this recipe

8

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Amazingly delicious Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, made completely from scratch with NO Velveeta all in 20 minutes!

Check out this recipe

9

Browned Butter Alfredo Pasta

This Browned Butter Alfredo Pasta recipe is a super simple, crazy flavor packed decadent meal! Save it to your list of favorite dinners!

Check out this recipe

10

Sweet Potato Rolls

Pillowy-soft, simple Sweet Potato Rolls that are perfect for any occasion. Use simple ingredients, knead together and bake. So perfect spread with lots of cinnamon honey butter.

Check out this recipe

11

Dinner Rolls

These classic Dinner Rolls are sure to be the best sidekick to any holiday or family dinner. Soft, light and pillowy.

Check out this recipe

12

Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe

Did someone say garlic bread? This is the tastiest recipe for extra cheesy and extra garlicky homemade garlic bread! Jazz up store-bought French bread with my simple homemade garlic butter.

Check out this recipe

13

Parmesan Bread Bites

Soft & pillow-y on the inside, buttery, golden brown on the outside & topped with parmesan cheese and parsley. Dip in pizza sauce or mustard.

Check out this recipe

14

Focaccia Recipe

This Rosemary Focaccia Bread recipe is absolute heaven! Topped with rosemary and sea salt, it's easy to make and even easier to eat!

Check out this recipe

15

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes are everything you love about mashed potatoes mixed with the flavors of sweet potatoes. Smooth, creamy and buttery!

Check out this recipe

16

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

What could make Mashed Potatoes even better? GARLIC! Garlic Mashed Potatoes are so buttery, creamy, and more importantly garlicky.

Check out this recipe

17

Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted Root Vegetables are the kind of side dish I keep coming back to again and again. Forget the salad and make room for earthy, hearty vegetables with caramelized edges and tons of savory flavor. This recipe is flexible too, so you can mix and match vegetables based on what you have on hand.

Check out this recipe

18

Fondant Potatoes

Fondant Potatoes are crispy, restaurant-style potatoes that turn out golden on the outside with a soft, buttery center that melts in your mouth. They’re also surprisingly easy to make at home, giving you a simple way to serve something that feels a little fancy without the effort.

Check out this recipe

19

Scalloped Potatoes

This easy recipe for Scalloped Potatoes is one you will make again and again. Extremely creamy and cheesy potato perfection!

Check out this recipe

20

Roasted Cauliflower

This basic, Roasted Cauliflower Recipe is a tasty, low-carb, simple side dish to throw together any day of the week. All you need is olive oil, salt, pepper and a little oven time to get the maximum caramelized, brown, super flavorful cauliflower.

Check out this recipe

21

Roasted Acorn Squash

Cinnamon and nutmeg make this sweet Roasted Acorn Squash more of a seasonal dish while smoked paprika gives it a light smoky flavor.

Check out this recipe

22

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This super easy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe is a delicious vegetable side dish. Perfectly golden and tender in the middle.

Check out this recipe

23

Roasted Green Beans

Roasted Green Beans are a quick and easy side dish to make that is packed full of flavor and nutrients! I could make this every night!

Check out this recipe

24

Roasted Asparagus

Simple and quick this Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe is the perfect vegetable side dish! Easily prepared while your main dish is cooking.

Check out this recipe

25

Caprese Salad Recipe

This Caprese Salad Recipe is a wonderful summer side dish and can be ready in 15 minutes or less! Fresh, light and so delicious!

Check out this recipe

26

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Light, refreshing with a slight zing this is my Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe! It's a classic that is perfect as a side dish or as a snack.

Check out this recipe

27

Greek Salad

This is a traditional Greek Salad recipe topped with a dressing full of depth. Perfect as a side dish or as a stand-alone meal!

Check out this recipe

28

Classic Coleslaw Recipe

This Coleslaw Recipe is a classic, from scratch recipe that will make you never buy store-bought coleslaw dressing again! Here's how you can prepare this perfect summer side dish.

Check out this recipe

29

That Good Salad

This “That Good Salad” lives up to its name with a mix of crisp greens, hearty toppings, and a bold garlic dressing that ties everything together.

Check out this recipe

30

White Balsamic Maple Dressing

This White Balsamic Maple Dressing is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, made with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s smooth, slightly creamy, and great on leafy greens, grain bowls, or roasted veggies.

Check out this recipe

More Main Dishes to Serve with These Side Dishes

Many of these side dishes do more than pair with baked salmon. They also work with other easy main dishes, making meal planning a little easier.

• Balsamic Grilled Chicken → Garlic Mashed Potatoes + Roasted Green Beans
• Southern Fried Pork Chops → Scalloped Potatoes + Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Garlic Steak→ Fondant Potatoes + Roasted Asparagus
• Roast Chicken→ Dinner Rolls + Roasted Root Vegetables
• Honey Garlic Grilled Shrimp → Cilantro Lime Rice + Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Parmesan Baked Cod→ Butter Rice + Roasted Cauliflower
• Honey Glazed Sesame Salmon → Greek Salad + Parmesan and Garlic Linguine Pasta
• Garlic Butter Shrimp→ Cilantro Lime Rice + Cucumber Tomato Salad

Most meals come together easily with one starch and one vegetable or salad. Mix and match these sides to create a dinner that fits any night of the week.

FAQs

With some of these sides, you can add this to your list of quick weeknight meals, or you can take your time and have a Sunday family dinner. I hope this list helps you find your favorite salmon sides for the next time you make Baked Salmon!

If you make these recipes, I would really appreciate it if you would give them a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.