Salmon stuffed with flavorful fillings like crab, cheese or spinach is always a crowd-pleasing entree. But finding the right side dishes to complement the rich stuffed salmon can be tricky. You want sides that enhance the flavors of the main dish without overpowering it.
After analyzing popular recipes and food sites, here are 19 delicious side dish ideas for stuffed salmon fillets or rolls.
Balancing Flavors and Textures
Most stuffed salmon recipes feature creamy fillings with ingredients like breadcrumbs, cheeses, seafood, vegetables or fresh herbs. The salmon is commonly roasted or baked, yielding a tender, flaky exterior around the savory interior.
When selecting sides, focus on bright, fresh options to counter the richness of the stuffed salmon Sides with lemon, herbs, greens and vegetables are ideal. Also aim for some crunch from vegetables or nuts.
Whole grains and starches can provide pleasant contrasts to the creamy stuffed salmon filling. Rice, pasta, potatoes and quinoa all make nice accompaniments.
19 Satisfying Sides for Stuffed Salmon
1. Brown Rice Pilaf
Nutty brown rice flavored with garlic, herbs and lemon makes a simple yet delightful pairing for stuffed salmon fillets. Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water when cooking the rice for extra flavor.
2. Pasta Tossed with Olive Oil and Fresh Herbs
For an easy stuffed salmon side, boil pasta like farfalle or penne until al dente. Toss the hot pasta with olive oil, fresh herbs, lemon zest, salt and pepper. The classic flavors beautifully complement stuffed salmon.
3. Roasted Vegetables
If you’re roasting the salmon, add vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus or Brussels sprouts to the oven too. Toss them in olive oil, garlic and seasonings. The caramelized veggies taste amazing with stuffed salmon.
4. Lemon Couscous
Fluffy couscous tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, parsley and pepper provides a bright, citrusy base for rich stuffed salmon fillets. Leftovers also make a nice chilled salad.
5. Quinoa Salad
For more substance, serve stuffed salmon over a protein-packed quinoa salad. Cooked quinoa mixed with cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, herbs, feta and lemon dressing is a fantastic pairing.
6. Steamed Green Beans
A classic veggie option, briefly boil fresh green beans then drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice and seasonings. The fresh flavor complements stuffed salmon perfectly.
7. Sauteed Spinach
For a quick and easy cooked green, saute baby spinach with olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. The delicate spinach balances the richness of stuffed salmon.
8. Israeli Couscous Salad
This satisfying salad turns couscous into a meal-worthy side. Cook Israeli couscous per package directions. Let cool then mix in diced cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, onion, olives, olive oil and herbs.
9. Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus
Elegant yet easy, roast asparagus spears with olive oil, garlic, lemon and pine nuts. The bold lemon flavors pair beautifully with stuffed salmon entrees.
10. Dill Peas
Buttery frozen peas spiked with fresh dill and chives make a fast and tasty stuffed salmon accompaniment. The bright peas offset the richness of the fish.
11. Brown Rice Pilaf
Nutty brown rice pilaf seasoned with garlic, herbs and lemon provides pleasant contrast to creamy stuffed salmon fillings. Use chicken or veggie broth for extra flavor.
12. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, garlic-flecked mashed potatoes make a comforting base for stuffed salmon fillets. For lighter potatoes, use cauliflower and potatoes. Roast before mashing for deeper flavor.
13. Honey-Roasted Carrots
For a sweet counterpoint, roast carrot coins or batons tossed in honey, butter, lemon and seasoning. The natural sweetness balances rich stuffed salmon beautifully.
14. Radish and Cucumber Salad
This crisp radish and cucumber salad provides fresh contrast to stuffed salmon. Toss thin slices with red onion, lemon juice and a bit of salt and pepper for a tangy accompaniment.
15. Roasted Cauliflower
Roast cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic, lemon and parsley until lightly browned. The caramelized cauliflower pairs wonderfully with indulgent stuffed salmon entrees.
16. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Crispy, crunchy sweet potato fries make a fun alternative to plain roasted potatoes with stuffed salmon. Season with salt, pepper and a dash of cinnamon for maximum impact.
17. Buttery Corn on the Cob
For pure comfort, roast corn on the cob rolled in butter, spices and Parmesan cheese. The sweet corn balances stuffed salmon’s richness flawlessly.
18. Sauteed Sugar Snap Peas
Saute crisp sugar snap peas in olive oil with garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes. The sweet peas offset stuffed salmon’s creamy filling perfectly.
19. Tomato-Basil Couscous
Whole wheat couscous made in a mix of water and tomato juice gets tossed with chopped tomato, basil, feta and olive oil. The fresh flavors complement stuffed salmon wonderfully.
Complement Your Stuffed Salmon Meal
With so many tasty options, from roasted veggies to fresh couscous salads, you can always find a scrumptious side to serve with your stuffed salmon entree. Mix and match different textures and flavors to keep things interesting.
Stuffed salmon roasted to tender, flaky perfection and served alongside bright, herb-infused sides makes for a fabulous dinner. With the right accompaniments, it can also impress at special gatherings. However you choose to complement it, stuffed salmon remains a real treat.
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This easy smoked salmon dip works just as well on a brunch table as it does with cocktails and snacks.
- 1 cup (8 ounces) cream cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- ¼ teaspoon Tasbasco
- 4 ounces smoked salmon, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
- Salt, to taste
- Bagel chips or crackers, for serving
- Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, capers, and Tabasco in a food processor fitted with the metal blade; pulse until blended. Add the salmon, dill and chives and pulse, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary, until the salmon is finely chopped. Taste and add salt, if necessary (I usually add about ¼ teaspoon, but it depends on the saltiness of the smoked salmon). Serve as a dip with crackers or bagel chips, or as a spread with bagels.
- Make ahead: This dip can be made a few days ahead of time. However, it gets quite firm in the fridge so let it sit out at room temperature before serving, otherwise it will be hard to scoop.
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- Per serving (10 servings)
- Serving size: 3 tablespoons
- Calories: 144
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Sodium: 237 mg
- Cholesterol: 33 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if youre following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
What You’ll Need To Make Smoked Salmon Dip
- Cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise: This trio makes up the creamy base—a nice balance of rich, smooth, and slightly tangy.
- Fresh lemon juice and Tabasco: Adds brightness and a little heat to balance out the richness.
- Capers: Bring a salty, briny bite that works perfectly with the smoked salmon.
- Smoked salmon: Cured and smoked salmon fillets that give the dip its distinct smoky flavor. Look for it pre-packaged in the seafood section.
- Fresh dill and chives: These fresh herbs add a pop of freshness and a mild onion flavor that complement the dip. I also like to sprinkle some on top as a garnish.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step 1: Blend the base. In a food processor, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, Tabasco, and capers. Pulse until mostly smooth. Using a food processor ensures a creamy base, and pulsing (rather than letting the machine run nonstop) provides better control and helps to avoid over-blending.
Step 2: Add the salmon and herbs. Toss in the smoked salmon, fresh chives, and dill. Adding the salmon and herbs after blending the base keeps them from turning into mush—you’ll get a better texture with some visible bits.
Step 3: Pulse to combine. Pulse again until the salmon is finely chopped and everything’s well blended.
Step 4: Transfer and serve. Taste the dip and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Spoon into a serving bowl and serve. It can be made up to 2 days ahead—just let it come to room temperature before serving.
Stuffed Salmon | OneStopChop
FAQ
What is a nice side with salmon?
Some good sides that pair well with salmon include roasted vegetables, grilled asparagus, a green salad, roasted potatoes, grilled corn, quinoa, couscous, wild rice, and sautéed spinach.
What is salmon usually served with?
What is salmon usually served with? The quintessential salmon dinner probably includes asparagus and rice when you picture it. That’s because salmon’s mild flavor pairs well with the buttery crunch of asparagus and lightly seasoned rice.
What is a good meal with salmon?
- Coconut-Miso Salmon Curry. Kay Chun. …
- Oven-Seared Salmon With Corn and Tomatoes. Ali Slagle. …
- Black Lime Salmon. Yotam Ottolenghi. …
- Baked Salmon. …
- Miso Roasted Salmon. …
- Salmon With Radicchio and Anchovy Sauce. …
- Sheet-Pan Roasted Salmon With Tuscan Bread Salad. …
- One-Pot Sesame Salmon and Quinoa.
What is complementary to salmon?
The umami flavor of soy sauce and the warmth of ginger create a delicious combination with salmon. If Asian flavor inspire you, we also really like the combination of lemongrass and miso! The sweetness of honey and the tanginess of mustard create a fantastic balance with salmon.