Salmon is one of the most popular and commonly eaten fish. It’s rich, fatty texture and mild flavor make it a versatile protein to incorporate into any meal. While salmon is delicious on its own, herbs can add another layer of flavor to take your dish to the next level As a food blogger and home cook, I’ve experimented with different herb combinations over the years to find what works best with salmon. In this article, I’ll share the best herbs to pair with salmon along with tips, recipes, and cooking techniques
Dill
Fresh dill is hands down the most classic herb pairing for salmon. The bright, grassy flavor compliments the fish beautifully. Dill has been used for centuries in European cuisines as a seasoning for fatty fish like salmon, trout and mackerel. If you’ve ever eaten gravlax (cured salmon), dill was likely used to flavor the fish. The herb’s tangy, almost lemony flavors cut through the richness of salmon perfectly.
Some easy ways to incorporate dill with salmon include
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Place sprigs of fresh dill under the salmon fillet before baking or grilling. As the fish cooks, the heat releases the herb’s essential oils infusing flavor.
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Mix chopped dill into a compound butter and top the cooked salmon with slices.
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Stir dill into yogurt-based sauces and spreads to pair with salmon.
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Sprinkle freshly chopped dill over cooked salmon as a garnish.
Parsley
Parsley is another quintessential pairing with salmon. The fresh, herbaceous flavor serves as a bright contrast to the fish. Curly leaf and Italian flat leaf parsley varietals both work well. Parsley contains high levels of vitamin K which complements the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon.
Some simple ways to use parsley with salmon include:
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Coarsely chop and use as an ingredient in breadcrumb or nut coatings for pan-fried salmon.
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Mix into compound butters, sauces, pestos or dressings to drizzle over salmon.
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Use as a fresh garnish over plated salmon dishes.
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Bake salmon on a bed of parsley sprigs for presentation and added flavor.
Tarragon
Tarragon is an aromatic herb with an almost licorice-like flavor profile. It’s a staple in French cooking and works beautifully with rich, oily fish. The sweetness and slight peppery taste of tarragon offsets salmon’s fattiness nicely. Use fresh tarragon whenever possible as the dried herb loses much of its flavor nuance.
Ideas for salmon dishes with tarragon:
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Make a tarragon compound butter to top grilled or pan-seared salmon.
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Prepare a creamy tarragon sauce or vinaigrette to serve over poached or baked salmon.
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Season salmon generously with chopped fresh tarragon before cooking.
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Mix tarragon into the salmon filling for fish cakes or salmon croquettes.
Cilantro
Cilantro is an herb commonly used in a variety of world cuisines. It packs a bright, citrusy punch along with undertones of peppery spice. Cilantro’s flavor profile pairs exceptionally well with salmon’s richness. It works with just about any salmon cooking method from grilling to steaming to pan-frying.
Some tasty ways to use cilantro with salmon:
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Make a chimichurri sauce with lots of fresh cilantro to spoon over cooked salmon.
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Mix chopped cilantro into seasonings like salt, pepper, lime juice and olive oil to coat the salmon before cooking.
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Use cilantro in marinades, sauces, salsas or rice pilafs to serve alongside simply prepared salmon.
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Garnish cooked salmon with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges.
Thyme
Thyme is a Mediterranean herb with earthy, woodsy notes. It’s pungent flavor can stand up to salmon’s rich meatiness. Lemon thyme varietals add a nice citrus undertone as well. Fresh or dried thyme both pair nicely with salmon.
Some ideas for cooking salmon with thyme:
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Rub salmon fillets with lemon slices then coat with chopped fresh thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil before broiling or baking.
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Saute salmon in browned butter with fresh thyme sprigs to infuse flavor.
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Add fresh or dried thyme into seasonings for salmon patties or salmon cakes.
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Make a compound butter with thyme or a creamy thyme sauce to top salmon after cooking.
Basil
Sweet basil is a versatile herb that pairs with just about anything, including salmon. Its mild anise-clove flavors complement salmon without overpowering it. Try different varieties like Thai, lemon or cinnamon basil. Use fresh basil when possible, as the dried herb loses potency.
Ways to use basil with salmon:
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Make a basil pesto to top grilled or baked salmon.
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Mix chopped fresh basil into seasonings like olive oil, salt and pepper to coat salmon before cooking.
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Stir basil into aioli or creamy yogurt dips to serve with simply prepared salmon.
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Layer fresh basil leaves under salmon before baking or grilling so the heat releases the herb’s essential oils.
Oregano
Oregano is a zesty Mediterranean herb that can stand up to salmon’s rich flavor. Dried oregano works well, but fresh has a nicer flavor. Oregano contains antioxidants which pair nicely with the omega-3’s in salmon.
Some tasty salmon recipes with oregano:
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Season salmon with dried oregano, salt, pepper, onion powder, lemon zest and olive oil before roasting or grilling.
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Saute salmon in olive oil with minced garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes for a flavorful pan sauce.
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Rub a mixture of chopped fresh oregano, olive oil, salt and pepper onto salmon before baking or broiling.
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Make a Greek yogurt sauce seasoned with oregano to dollop onto simply cooked salmon.
Final Tips
When cooking salmon with herbs, keep these tips in mind:
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For the best flavor, use fresh herbs whenever possible. If using dried, reduce the amount as they are more potent than fresh.
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Add chopped soft herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro or dill towards the end of cooking. More sturdy herbs like thyme, oregano and tarragon can be added at the beginning.
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Buy a small bunch of mixed herbs like dill, parsley, basil and chives. Having a variety on hand makes it easy to experiment with different combinations.
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Grow an indoor herb garden with some of the main herbs that pair well with salmon. This ensures you always have fresh herbs for cooking.
Salmon boasts great nutritional value as a protein source rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Pairing it with fresh, vibrant herbs enhances flavor while adding health benefits. Experiment with different herb combinations to find your favorite pairings. With endless possibilities, cooking salmon with herbs keeps dinner interesting and delicious.
How to make this tasty salmon seasoning
Once you have assembled the ingredients, making the herb and spice seasoning mix is a breeze. First, give the coriander, fennel seeds, bay leaves and peppercorns a good bash in a mortar and pestle.
Alternatively, you can blast them in a mini chopper, but don’t overdo it – they should still be quite chunky rather than pulverised to a fine powder.
Then, simply add the remaining herbs and seasonings to the crushed seeds, bay leaves and pepper. Mix everything well together, then tip into a storage jar or container.
Alternatively, once you’ve crushed the seeds and leaves, you can measure all the other ingredients into a clean jam jar. Then simply pop on the lid and shake to mix! Now you just have to label the jar and you’re all set.
What herbs go with salmon?
There are loads of different herbs that go really well with salmon. The fish has a robust flavour and complements many different tastes. Some classic herbs that are used with the fish include:
Plus of course garlic and onions, and citrus fruits like lemon and lime.
Salmon also works really well with savoury spices, as demonstrated by this awesome dry-rubbed roasted salmon with pastrami spices. Some of my favourites are coriander, mustard seeds and black pepper.
A Guide to Amazing Herbs for Salmon (2021)
FAQ
Which herbs go best with salmon?
Use various herbs: Thyme and rosemary are not the only delicious herbs that go with salmon. Tarragon, marjoram, parsley or dill also work beautifully. Add mustard: If you love the taste of mustard, it tastes great on salmon and helps emulsify the herb and oil spread.
Is thyme or rosemary better for salmon?
Rosemary would complement the salmon just as much as the thyme, while you could also use fresh oregano instead of dried–just be sure to taste as you go, since fresh oregano has a shaper, more peppery flavor than dried. Be sure not to skip the parsley topping, which gives the dish a much needed pop of bright color.
What seasonings go well with salmon?
What does Gordon Ramsay season salmon with?
He says that you need to dry the salmon on both sides, and then you score the skin side. Then season the salmon on both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika, and then you start to heat up the pan. Once it’s hot, then you add the oil.