What Vegetables Go Well with Salmon? 24 Best Veggies

Salmon pairs well with many different types of vegetables. Some of the best vegetables to pair with salmon are asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, artichokes, peas, and green beans. For a quick side dish, you can make a quick vegetable soup that will go well with salmon.

Salmon is a delicious fish that is often paired with other foods. For example, salmon can go well with broccoli, asparagus, and avocado.

But what if you’re looking for something more substantial?

What about a delicious, healthy vegetable that will complement this protein-rich dish?

Well, you’re in luck, because here are some of the best vegetables to serve with salmon.

Start scrolling to find out which vegetables go perfectly with this delightful dish.

What Vegetables Go Well with Salmon? 24 Best Veggies

Salmon is a very popular fish because it has a mild taste. You can easily pair it with a variety of vegetables, including asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and green beans.

Looking for more?

Keep scrolling!

1. Green Beans

Canned green beans are an easy side dish that can be cooked in many ways.

While this vegetable pairs well with many different types of fish, it goes particularly well with salmon.

2. Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the most popular vegetables that go with salmon.

It’s light, crisp flavor pairs well with the savory taste of salmon.

You can add it to salads, roast it in the oven or even parboil it ahead of time and serve it cold as part of a salad plate.

3. Cabbage

Cabbage is another great option for pairing with salmon.

It’s versatile enough to be used in a variety of dishes and its mild flavor makes it a good choice if you’re serving to people who aren’t huge fans of vegetables (ahem, kids).

Try roasting cabbage wedges along with the rest of your vegetables or roast thinly sliced pieces right alongside your salmon fillets.

4. Brussels Sprouts

These little cabbages are one of the most popular cruciferous vegetables and can be prepared in many different ways.

Roasting Brussels sprouts brings out their natural sweetness and caramelized flavor, making them a perfect complement to salmon dishes.

This hearty vegetable also takes longer to cook than some other options so they’re a great way to slow down the cooking process when cooking fish at high temperatures.

5. Beets

Like many other veggies, beets come in many colors and are low in calories.

They are high in folate, potassium and copper, which all make them a nutritious addition to your meal planning.

Beets can be boiled, roasted or grilled and served warm or cold next to your salmon.

They also go well with other seafood dishes like crab cakes.

6. Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice has become a popular alternative to white rice over the last few years, but it also serves as another great vegetable side dish to pair with salmon.

It has a very neutral taste, so it won’t overpower your fish, and it has a similar texture to white rice.

7. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of those vegetables that goes well with nearly any protein, but it really pairs well with salmon.

This is likely a result of broccoli’s earthy flavor profile, which creates a perfect pairing with salmon’s rich taste.

To make these two ingredients go well together, try roasting them together in the oven.

Season both with salt and pepper, drizzle them with olive oil, and then bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes until each is cooked through.

8. Carrots

Carrots are another vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals, including potassium, fiber and vitamin A.

They’re also low in calories — just 50 calories per cup — so they’re great if you’re trying to watch your weight.

Sweeten carrots by roasting them to bring out their natural sugars.

9. Arugula

Arugula is a peppery salad green that’s a staple in Italian cuisine.

It makes a delicious addition to your salmon dish because it offsets the richness of the fish and adds a little bite to the meal.

You can either toss it with arugula and other salad greens or roast it with the salmon for a tasty side dish.

If you’d prefer to eat your veggies raw, pair them with grilled salmon; if you choose to roast your vegetables, be sure to pair them with baked or broiled salmon.

10. Onions

Onions go well with just about any fish you can imagine, so it’s no surprise that they are a good choice for salmon.

Try grilling up some spring onions and then brushing them with a marinade to make a refreshing side dish for your salmon.

You can also saute the onions in butter before adding some lemon juice and dill to create a tasty topping for the salmon.

11. Kale

Salmon and kale are a match made in heaven.

Kale is a nutrient-dense vegetable that pairs well with salmon’s heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

1. To create this dish, simply rub a salmon fillet with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper.
2. Then cook it in the oven for 10 minutes at 450°F.
3. The last step is to toss sliced kale into the oven for the final 5 minutes of cook time to wilt it slightly.

12. Spinach

This nutrient-packed green can go with almost any type of salmon, but it’s especially delicious with orange or pink-fleshed varieties like sockeye and Atlantic.

Sauté it in a little butter and add a squeeze of lemon juice for a quick side dish.

13. Zucchini

Zucchini is another vegetable that works well with salmon.

Cut zucchini into slices, cubes or strips to make it easy to cook along with the salmon.

If you want to add more flavor, toss zucchini in olive oil and seasonings before cooking.

This adds extra flavor even if you’re planning on adding a sauce to the salmon and zucchini once they’re cooked.

14. Corn

You can serve salmon with grilled or boiled corn on the cob, or add small pieces of corn to the salad you serve with your salmon dish.

The sweetness of the corn goes well with the rich flavor of the salmon.

15. Red bell peppers

These sweet, crunchy peppers can be eaten raw, roasted or grilled.

They’re a great source of vitamin C, and they pair well with the mild taste of salmon.

Serve them on the side or chopped in a salad for a colorful meal.

16. Leeks

These sweet, mild-tasting members of the onion family can be prepared in a variety of ways to accompany your salmon dish.

Cook leeks in butter for maximum flavor and serve them as an appetizer or side dish.

17. Tomatoes

Salmon tastes great with tomatoes, which pair well with the fish’s rich flavor.

Try roasting cherry tomatoes with olive oil and fresh herbs for an easy side dish.

For a heartier dish, roast diced tomatoes in the oven until they begin to caramelize and serve them over salmon fillets.

18. Peas

There’s a reason why canned salmon is often paired with peas — the two complement each other perfectly.

Whether you choose to go with fresh, frozen or canned peas, this classic combination makes for a delicious and easy side dish that pairs well with either grilled or baked salmon.

19. Eggplant

Eggplant is one of those vegetables that will absorb all the flavors around it and then release them when you bite it.

This makes it ideal for pairing with salmon because the strong flavors will complement each other perfectly.

It is most commonly baked or fried, but roasting eggplant is also a great idea.

20. Potatoes

You can’t go wrong when you pair salmon and potatoes.

You can roast them together or serve them in soup.

Potatoes also make an excellent base for salmon cakes or patties.

21. Cucumber

If you like ceviche, a dish made by “cooking” thin slices of fish in lime juice, you’ll love thinly sliced cucumbers with smoked salmon.

Sprinkle the cucumber with salt and let it drain for 30 minutes to draw out excess water, then toss the slices with thin strips of smoked salmon, lemon juice, olive oil and black pepper.

This makes a great starter or lunch; serve with crackers or toasted bread.

22. Fennel

Fennel is another great partner for salmon when it’s served raw as sashimi or sushi; simply slice the fennel into thin strips and serve them alongside thin slices of raw salmon with soy sauce for dipping or to make an appetizer roll-up.

Cooked salmon also goes well with fennel when it’s braised in wine until soft; serve it alongside the salmon with a sprinkling of chopped fennel leaves.

23. Mushrooms

There are many varieties of mushrooms that go well with salmon, including the morel, porcini, chanterelle and portobello mushrooms.

Try sauteing mushrooms with olive oil and garlic to add flavor to your salmon dish.

24. String beans

String beans cook quickly and work well as a side dish for broiled, baked or grilled salmon, especially when cooked in olive oil and sprinkled with garlic and chopped herbs such as dill or basil.

9 Tips for Serving Vegetables with Salmon

Salmon and vegetables are a classic pairing for a reason.

The rich, earthy flavor of salmon pairs well with many types of vegetables, and it’s an easy way to get your required daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

How do you choose the perfect vegetables to serve with salmon?

Here are five tips for choosing vegetables to serve with salmon:

1. Consider color

The colors in your vegetable side dish can be just as important as the flavors.

Deep orange vegetables such as carrots or sweet potatoes can provide visual contrast with the pink color of salmon, while green vegetables such as peas or spinach will complement the color without adding visual contrast.

2. Select a seasoning that works with both ingredients

Vegetables with strong flavors, like onions, garlic or peppers, will overpower the flavor of salmon if they are seasoned strongly.

Instead, consider choosing milder-flavored vegetables such as corn or zucchini and seasoning them with herbs that match well with the salmon’s flavor profile.

For example, basil is an excellent choice for both milder-flavored fish and summer squash dishes.

3. The Flavor of Salmon

Salmon has a mild flavor, so it works well with most types of vegetables.

However, when you’re serving salmon with vegetables, it’s usually wise to choose mild-flavored vegetables that won’t overpower the fish.

For example, if you use broccoli or Brussels sprouts — both of which have strong flavors — they may compete with the taste of the salmon.

To keep things on an even keel, pick vegetables that are milder in flavor and then add a few spices to enhance their taste without overwhelming the meal.

4. The Texture of Salmon

In addition to having a mild flavor, salmon also has a delicate texture.

If you make sesame-crusted salmon fillets or pan-seared salmon steaks, for example, you’ll want to serve them with vegetables that don’t have strong textures.

That’s because the crunch from breaded or fried fish can get lost against foods that are too crunchy or chewy.

5. Consider the season

Salmon has a rich flavor, so strong-flavored vegetables can complement it well.

If you’re planning a summer meal, grilled asparagus and corn on the cob make great sides for salmon.

In the fall or winter, try roasted Brussels sprouts or beets. Making a springtime meal?

Try lightly sautéed snap peas and carrots.

6. Don’t forget about fruit

Fruit is another great way to serve fruit.

For example, you could combine fresh chopped mango with avocado for a tasty salsa that pairs well with salmon tacos.

Or how about a side of sweet potatoes and peaches with your next fillet?

The sweetness gives a nice contrast to the rich flavor of salmon.

7. Roast fish and vegetables on separate pans

While they can be cooked in the same oven at the same time, it’s best not to put them on the same pan because juices from the fish can drip onto the vegetables, causing them to steam rather than roast.

8. Keep it simple

One of my favorite ways to cook salmon (and any fish, for that matter) is to roast it.

The high heat gives the fish a nice, crispy crust, and the flesh stays moist and flaky inside.

Quick-cooking sides like cauliflower and green beans can be roasted alongside the salmon in the same pan, which means less work for you and more time enjoying a delicious meal with your family.

9. Experiment with herbs and spices

When roasting or grilling veggies with salmon, try sprinkling them with spice blends like curry powder, paprika or za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend).

You can also toss them with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or basil, after cooking for a burst of bright flavor.

6 Reasons to Serve Vegetables with Salmon

When you’re serving salmon, you have a lot of entree options.

But to make the meal complete, it’s important to add a variety of vegetables.

Here are six reasons why:

1. Veggies Are A Healthy Side Dish

Vegetables are not only low in calories, but they contain fiber and vitamins that your body needs. Fiber will help you feel fuller longer so you don’t eat as much.

In addition, fiber has been shown to help prevent heart disease and cancer.

The vitamins in vegetables will keep your immune system strong so your body can fight off infections.

2. Complementary Flavors

Salmon does not have a very strong flavor, which is why it can be paired with other foods that have more flavor.

For example, when grilled salmon is served with asparagus, potatoes or corn on the cob as a side dish, their flavors enhance each other.

In fact, some people enjoy the fish more when it is served with certain sides than when it is eaten alone.

3. Veggies deliver nutrients and antioxidants

There’s no doubt that salmon is great for you, but on its own it doesn’t have enough vitamins and minerals to constitute a whole meal.

On the other hand, dark leafy greens like spinach provide iron, broccoli adds fiber and vitamin C, and carrots contain beta carotene.

In this way, salmon’s low-calorie yet hefty protein content pairs well with veggies’ nutrient-dense fiber.

4. Add variety to your diet

Salmon tastes great, but if you have it every night for dinner, you may eventually tire of it.

Paired with different vegetables, you can create endless variations on this nutritious dish.

Try steamed broccoli or green beans one night and roasted asparagus or zucchini slices the next time around.

This is also an excellent way to eat more produce — even if you don’t like some veggies in their simplest forms!

5. Get more nutrients for fewer calories

Vegetables are naturally low in calories, so when you add them to a meal, they help balance the calorie load of higher-calorie foods such as salmon (or lean meats, eggs or yogurt).

You don’t need to worry about portion control when serving veggies because they’re so low in calories; just pile them onto your plate!

6. They Give Food More Color

A plate full of food looks better when there’s some color on it.

While salmon is an attractive food, most vegetables have bold colors that help make dishes more appealing on the plate.

Salmon alone isn’t very colorful; if it’s not served on something green or with some kind of colorful vegetable, the plate looks somewhat unappealing to most people.

A bed of greens under the salmon can be visually appealing and make the food seem more appetizing, especially if you garnish with tomatoes or other colorful vegetables.

Related:

What to Serve with Pan Fried Salmon (14 Easy Sides)

What to Serve with Smoked Salmon: 31 Best Sides

13 Best Salads to Go with Salmon

What to Serve with Stuffed Salmon: 12 Best Side Dishes

What to Serve with Pesto Salmon: 15 Easy Sides

15 Easy Pasta Side Dishes for Salmon