The hotter seasons inspire us to go outside, throw a few things on the grill, and eat a refreshing meal! And let’s be honest, what’s more, refreshing and tasty than salmon on a hot summer day? Grilled salmon can be a fun, quick, and easy summer lunch. It’s the perfect protein for a backyard BBQ. The best thing about it, is it pairs perfectly with a wide variety of dishes too!
Because salmon is already a rich and buttery fish, not much is needed to elevate it. A grilled salmon fillet can literally be a stand alone dish! However, its versatility allows you to add almost any side dish and it will complement its delicate and savory flavor. You just have to learn about some of the best mouth-watering ideas to get inspired.
Since summer is just around the corner, we are sharing a roundup of the best side dishes for grilled salmon. So you can grill your way through the heat and enjoy some delicious meals packed with flavor and easy to make!
Best Side Dishes For Grilled Salmon
Cucumber salad:
If you are looking for a fresh and easy-to-prepare side dish, this is for you! You can literally make this in 5 minutes. All you need is a handful of ingredients. It’s refreshing, extra healthy, and perfect for grilled salmon.
For the ingredients, you will need cucumbers, raw apple cider vinegar, red onion, garlic, honey, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, just mix all the ingredients together except for the cucumbers. Next, slice the cucumbers and place them on a nice plate. Finally, add the vinegarette on top after giving it a thorough mix!
Oven sweet potatoes and Brussel sprouts:
Roasted asparagus and Brussel sprouts are such a fantastic combination. By adding the sweet potatoes, you add a healthy complex carb to the mix. What makes it perfect is its simplicity. Just two ingredients plus grilled salmon, and you’ve got a full meal in your hands!
Of course, the key elements of this side dish are Brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes. But you’ll also need a little olive oil, cumin, salt, garlic salt, and pepper. The cooking method is extremely simple too. Just slice the vegetables to your preferred size, add the seasonings, and go! bake them in the oven for 40-45 minutes. Pretty simple!
Lemon rice pilaf:
Rice pilaf is an original Turkish dish that has now skyrocketed in popularity. And it's an amazing side dish for salmon! The subtle and aromatic taste of jasmine rice makes any dish pop. And the hints of lemon add a freshness to the meal that is ideal for summer!
Here are the ingredients you will need: jasmine rice, lemon zest, celery, green onions, butter, salt, and pepper. The first step is to cook the jasmine rice. In the meantime, heat the butter in a skillet and add the celery and onions, until tender. Incorporate the rest of the ingredients and cook until everything is heated through. Then, add the sautée mix to the rice. Easy peasy!
Green bean dip with courgette chips:
Dips are always a crowd favorite! And vegetable chips are great for the summertime! This is a fun side dish that has a longer prep time, but it’s so refreshing and worth it!
Here are the ingredients for the chips: courgettes also known as summer squash, milk, olive oil, and salt and pepper. First, cut the courgettes into circles. Place them into the milk and let them soak for at least 1 hour. Coat the courgette slices with the paste and shallow fry them for 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Serve hot and you are done!
For the green bean dip, you’ll need green beans, red onion, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, avocado, salt, and pepper. Start by placing the green beans into a bowl with boiling water and letting them soak for 10 minutes until soft. Then just add them and the rest of the ingredients to a food processor. Give it a good mix! Voila, you have a delicious green bean dip.
Crunchy parmesan cheese snap peas:
You can make this side dish in less than 25 minutes. It’s cheesy, tasty, and healthy. Plus, it’s kid-approved! Combine this recipe with grilled salmon for a delicious summer dinner!
The ingredients are simple! You’ll need snap peas, olive oils, panko bread crumbs, shredded parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. First, preheat the oven to about 400* F. Then, combine the snap peas and olive oil in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Next, add the panko mixture to the snap peas and combine. Spread them on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes or until golden crispy. Yum!
Roasted sweet potatoes with smoked paprika:
Grilled salmon and smoked paprika always make a dynamic duo! Smoked paprika has an earthy flavor that just adds depth to any meal, especially salmon.
Here are the ingredients you will need: sweet potatoes, olive oil, smoked paprika, and sea salt. Sounds easy, right? It is! Start by cutting the potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Now place them on a baking sheet and cover them with all the tasty seasonings. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing once at the 15 minute mark (optional). That’s it, enjoy your crispy and golden brown sweet potatoes!
Roast carrot & bean salad with feta:
This refreshing side dish for salmon is quick and easy. It’s fresh, delicious, and it gives your meal a crunchy bite. This is definitely not your average salad recipe, but it’s so delicious!
You will need a red onion, baby carrots, lemon thyme sprigs, olive oil, green beans, butter beans, feta cheese, and mint. With two super simple steps and only 40 minutes cooking time, you can whip up this side any night of week, including those busy school nights. Plate with your freshly cooked salmon and eat up!
Which one of these side dishes for grilled salmon do you know and love?
The warm seasons are great for experimenting with different flavors while having fun in the kitchen. It’s also a great time to get the family together and eat a delicious meal outside. Now that you know some unique and delicious side dishes for grilled salmon, you’re all set for summer! Remember, you can always find new delicious salmon recipes here in our blog and our Pinterest profile. Enjoy those side dishes for grilled salmon!
