John Myers
Sauces and dips
A simple rule of thumb: Salmon loves light, so sauces should be light. The only exception is dark Asian sauces, such as those based on teriyaki. These variants go well as a side dish with salmon:
- Bechamel Sauce: Pairs perfectly with steamed or fried salmon and a starchy side of potatoes or rice.
- Lemon sauce: it’s not easy, but it goes well with pasta, julienne vegetables, or zucchini
- Horseradish: as a dip or sauce base, it goes well with grilled or boiled salmon
- Teriyaki sauce or creamy soy dip: for Asian variations with rice or udon noodles
- Pesto is made from herbs, olive oil, and garlic
Note: In principle, you don’t have to serve a sauce as a side dish with salmon – the fish is a taste experience with lemon. It would help if you avoided mayonnaise in salads – salmon has enough of its own fat.
Vegetables
These fresh companions are great as a vegetable side dish with salmon:
- Julienne Vegetables: Fine strips of carrot, parsnip, zucchini, or leek
- Leek: can be sautéed with cream on a creamed vegetable or under the salmon in the oven
- Zucchini or peppers: grilled, fried or boiled
- Tomatoes: Braised or raw goes well with roast or grilled salmon, less so with cooking.
- Broccoli: As a type of cabbage, it goes well with salmon
- Spinach: as a leaf salad, steamed with a bit of garlic, or classic as creamed spinach
Salads
Fine salads such as lamb’s lettuce or young leaves of other lettuce go particularly well with salmon. A classic Asian cucumber salad is also great to companion. You should rather avoid spicy varieties such as rockets.
Potatoes
If you’re still looking for a filling carbohydrate side dish for salmon, potatoes are the perfect all-time favorite. Serve boiled potatoes, jacket potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, or crispy potato pancakes with your salmon.
Pasta
Pasta and salmon are a perfect duo. Long, wide noodles such as tagliatelle fit best. Together with a delicious cream sauce, they are unbeatable!
Rice
If you want to serve rice with your salmon, you can choose traditionally prepared long grain or basmati rice as well as a delicious rice pan with vegetables! Even a creamy risotto always harmonizes wonderfully with a juicy one.
Exotic side dishes for salmon
You can also find a side dish for salmon outside of the usual recipes. Experiment with herbs and spices to see what suits your taste. These exotic variants are worth trying:
- Lentil vegetables made from red lentils cooked with chili flakes and spring onions make a healthy and tasty side dish.
- Light grapes served with a light lemon sauce and rice turn a salmon fillet into a star menu!
- Pineapple cut in a capriccio shape under grilled salmon is an insider tip!
- Dried cranberries in a light tomato sauce go well with salmon and pasta.
- Lobster sauce is a flavorful surprise on the plate!
