What Vegetables Go Well with Salmon? 12 BEST Veggies

Whether it’s grilled, baked, or pan-seared, salmon pairs incredibly well with fresh produce.

But ever wondered what kind of vegetables are best complements for this delicious fish?

From root veggies to garden-fresh greens or slightly tangy fruits, there is a wide variety of vegetable combinations that make for an unexpected and mouthwatering meal.

Arugula and asparagus make for classic accompaniments for the fish and can be served on their own or atop a bed of broccoli or roasted potatoes.

Think of pairing creatively – add edamame, robust cherry tomatoes, sweet onions or even pickled carrots.

No matter what vegetable you decide to use with your dish, the flavors are sure to surprise you in all the right ways.

Tips for Serving Vegetables with Salmon

For a complete and nutritious meal, pair salmon with a variety of roasted, steamed, or sautéed vegetables.

Not only do these veggies contain essential vitamins and antioxidants that support overall health, but they can also change up the flavor of your favorite salmon dish.

Here are some ideas for serving vegetables with salmon in creative and delicious ways.

Choose robust vegetables – Select bright-colored veggies like red bell peppers, yellow squash, orange carrots, and red potatoes that will not only provide a colorful plate but also create unique flavor combinations when paired with fish.

Keep it simple – Simple preparation methods are key to creating a harmonious balance between the flavors of salmon and its accompanying side dishes.

When roasting vegetables, keep ingredients simple by avoiding too many spices or herbs — try just salt and pepper or some fresh garlic to bring out the natural sweetness of the veggies.

Consider earthy flavors – Root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, parsnips, beets, celeriac root, onions and garlic are excellent choices for adding more depth to your dish as they have an earthy flavor that complements fish nicely.

To further enhance their taste when served with salmon dishes use seasonings like freshly grated ginger or cumin seeds to draw out their sweet undertones.

Table-friendly recipes – For an easy-to-execute meal packed full of flavor try roasting pre-cut mixed veggies in one pan with cherry tomatoes for added sweetness; serve alongside grilled or pan sautéed salmon for an effortless meal that’s still nutritionally beneficial.

What Vegetables Go Well with Salmon? 12 BEST Veggies

When selecting vegetables to pair with salmon, it is important to look for ones that offer both flavor and texture.

The brightness of the vegetables will help highlight the delicate fish without overpowering it.

Here are some of the best vegetables to pair with salmon:

1. Green Beans

Green beans make a great side dish to pair with salmon.

They are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to any meal.

Plus, their slightly sweet flavor complements the richness of salmon perfectly.

For an extra hint of earthy flavors, try blanching the green beans in chicken stock first before adding them to your dish.

This will also help keep them crunchy without overcooking them.

When serving with salmon, you can either sauté the green beans quickly in butter or oil for added flavor, or serve them raw for a lighter side dish.

2. Asparagus

Asparagus is a great choice of vegetable to serve alongside salmon.

It is high in nutrients, offering vitamins A, C, E, and K as well as folate and iron.

Asparagus also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for maintaining health.

While asparagus can be enjoyed raw in salads or lightly steamed or roasted for maximum flavor and nutrition, pairing it with salmon brings out even more flavor.

When preparing asparagus with salmon, allow 6-8 spears per person.

After washing your asparagus stalks to remove any sand or grit from them, you can steam them or roast them in the oven by brushing the cut ends with olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper; you may alternatively grill the stalks to get nice char marks on each one.

The cooking time will depend on whether they’re thick or thin stalks; more often than not they are ready to eat when they become tender to the piercing of a fork—approximately 6 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 Celsius).

Garnish this delicious combination simply using lemon slices or add some finishing touches according to your taste such as slivered almonds, chopped shallots, garlic butter sauce, grated Parmesan cheese and/or freshly ground black pepper.

Enjoy.

3. Cabbage

Cabbage is incredibly versatile and full of powerful nutrients that can help to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation.

Cabbage pairs well with salmon since it soaks up the flavors of the fish and can be cooked in variety of ways to make a delicious side dish.

Try seasoning with olive oil, garlic, herbs, or spices for a tasty accompaniment.

Roast it in the oven for crunchy, caramelized edges, braise it on the stovetop in butter or broth for a comforting supper, or shred it for use in salads and slaws.

Cabbage is also an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, making it a nutritious addition to your meal.

4. Brussels Sprouts

For a truly delicious combination, Brussels sprouts are an excellent choice to pair with salmon.

They cook quickly, maintain their texture and shape while cooking and absorb the flavors they’re cooked with.

Brussels sprouts can be boiled, steamed, roasted or even grilled alongside the fish.

When roasted or grilled, try brushing them lightly with olive oil and sprinkling some salt on top for added flavor.

As a bonus, Brussels sprouts also boast a number of health benefits – they’re high in fiber and contain Vitamin C, potassium and folate.

Boasting a mild flavor that enhances many entrees without overpowering them, they make the perfect accompaniment to salmon.

5. Beets

Beets come in a variety of colors and sizes, including golden, Detroit red, chioggia and candy stripe.

Due to their sweet flavor profile, beets make an ideal side dish for salmon.

When prepared, beets can be roasted, steamed or boiled for a delicious accompaniment to any meal.

Beets contain high levels of antioxidants and manganese as well as vitamins A and C which can act as natural detoxifiers and aid in digestion.

Additionally, their unique sweetness adds a unique complexity to dishes when combined with other flavors such as dill or parsley.

When cooking with beets it’s important to remember that the skin should always be left on which will give the dish an extra burst of color when served.

6. Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice is a great low-carb alternative to traditional white or brown rice.

It doesn’t contain as many nutrients as whole-grain varieties of brown or white rice, but it still contains a good amount of vitamins and minerals.

Plus, the fact that it’s low in calories makes it an excellent side for salmon dishes.

To make cauliflower rice, simply cut a head of cauliflower into florets and pulse them in a food processor until they are finely chopped and resemble the size of grains of rice.

Saute the “rice” in oil over medium-high heat until tender, then season with salt, pepper, herbs and spices like garlic powder or smoked paprika.

Serve it alongside your favorite grilled salmon dish for a delicious dinner.

7. Broccoli

Broccoli is an excellent side for salmon due to its soft and creamy texture that’s similar to the fish.

It also has many beneficial phytochemicals and health benefits.

To make the most of this vegetable, pair it with olive oil or a lemon garlic butter sauce for extra flavor.

For a crunchy texture, try roasting broccoli in the oven before adding it to your salmon dish.

You can also add some fresh herbs like thyme or sage for added flavor.

8. Carrots

Carrots are a versatile vegetable that’s perfect for a variety of dishes, particularly when served alongside salmon.

The sweet and slightly earthy flavor of carrots pairs perfectly with the rich profile of salmon, while their crunchy texture provides textural balance.

Carrots can be easily grilled, sautéed, roasted, or boiled and served as part of a main dish or as a side.

For an added treat, pickled carrots can also be sliced and used to top salmon dishes.

9. Arugula

Arugula, also known as rocket and roquette, is the perfect accompaniment to the delicious taste of salmon.

Arugula’s mild and peppery flavor adds a significant boost to the mild oily taste of salmon.

The leafy vegetable also gives a pleasant crunch to the meal.

For best results, chop up some arugula and serve along with cooked salmon for a tasty side dish.

If you like more flavor in your dish, mix in some traditional Italian pesto when tossing the arugula with olive oil and sea salt for a wonderful combination.

10. Onions

Onions are a highly versatile vegetable that go with just about any type of dish.

Their slightly sweet, succulent flavor offers a nice contrast to the rich, oily flavor of salmon.

You can use both raw or cooked onions in this dish.

For raw onions, try slicing them thinly and adding them to cold salads or sandwiches.

Alternatively, you can cook them until softened and serve as a warm side dish with your salmon.

Try sautéing onions in some butter for added flavor, or for something different preparing balsamic caramelized onions which offer a delicious pairing alongside salmon fillets.

11. Kale

Kale is a leafy green vegetable that packs a powerful nutritional punch.

It has high amounts of vitamins A, C and K, as well as minerals like manganese, iron and calcium.

When cooked, it holds its shape and flavor well, making it the perfect accompaniment for salmon.

Kale can be prepared in a variety of ways — blanching maintains its crunchy texture, while steaming makes it dark green and tender.

Consider adding this hearty vegetable to your salmon dish for extra flavor and nutrients.

12. Spinach

Spinach is a popular, nutritious side dish to salmon dishes.

It can be cooked quickly in the pan with just a bit of butter and olive oil, or it can be sautéed, added raw to salads, and blended into sauces.

This versatile vegetable adds a nutritional punch to any meal and maintains its flavor when cooked alongside fish.

Spinach contains many vitamins and minerals, such as iron, riboflavin, Vitamin K and calcium that all help balance out a healthy meal.

For example, spinach provides Vitamin K which helps the blood clot properly or takes care of calcium buildup in our arterial walls.

Furthermore certain compounds found in spinach may reduce inflammation and help prevent oxidative damage in cells.

All these benefits with rich flavour and low calories make this leafy green an ideal addition to salmon dishes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, salmon is a flavorful, healthy fish that can be cooked in a variety of different ways.

Its buttery flavor pairs well with many vegetables, and there are endless combinations to create unique meals.

Enjoy these delicious options and have fun mixing and matching your ingredients for tasty results every time.

Try adding some of your favorite vegetables when you’re preparing salmon dishes.

Roast them lightly or steam them to enhance their healthy benefits or sauté them with herbs for an aromatic flavor boost.

Whether you’re making an entrée for dinner or hosting a brunch party, this combination of fish and veggies makes an irresistible dish with plenty of nutrition.