Salmon croquettes are a classic Southern comfort food made from canned salmon, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings They have a crisp, golden exterior and a soft, flaky interior bursting with savory salmon flavor
While salmon croquettes are delicious on their own, having the right side dishes can take the meal to the next level. The key is finding sides that complement the richness of the salmon croquettes without overpowering their taste
In this article, I’ll share 15 of my favorite side dish ideas to serve with salmon croquettes. Whether you’re looking for classic Southern favorites or new ways to jazz up your plate, you’ll find plenty of options for any meal.
Classic Southern Sides for Salmon Croquettes
Some traditional Southern sides just seem made for salmon croquettes. Their familiar flavors pair perfectly without stealing the spotlight.
1. Coleslaw
Creamy, tangy coleslaw is a standard at Southern fish fries and cookouts The cool crunch of shredded cabbage and carrots cuts through the rich fried coating on the croquettes
Making coleslaw ahead lets the flavors meld, so try whipping up a batch the day before. Customize your ‘slaw with different dressing flavors like apple cider vinegar or buttermilk ranch.
2. Collard Greens
Slow-cooked collard greens flavored with smoked pork are a staple side in the South. Their robust, earthy taste stands up well to salmon croquettes without overwhelming them.
For the best flavor, cook the greens low and slow with onions, garlic, bacon, and seasonings. Sprinkle on some hot sauce or vinegar before serving.
3. Black-Eyed Peas
Buttery black-eyed peas simmered with smoked ham are a quintessential Southern side. Their creamy texture and mild flavor complement salmon croquettes without competing.
Make them even quicker and easier by using canned or frozen black-eyed peas. Simply heat with ham, chicken broth, and seasonings until hot and thickened.
4. Cornbread
Moist, golden cornbread is another classic pairing for salmon croquettes. Crumble leftover cornbread over the croquettes or serve wedges alongside for soaking up any extra sauce.
Jazz up your cornbread with creamed corn, jalapeños, or extra bacon fat for more flavor. Bake in a cast-iron skillet for crispy edges.
5. Fried Okra
Crispy breaded okra is a tasty match for salmon croquettes. The contrast of its crunchy outside and gooey inside makes a nice counterpoint to the croquettes.
Use fresh okra if possible and soak in buttermilk before breading for extra flavor. Fry in small batches so it turns out crispy, not soggy or greasy.
Fresh Vegetable Sides for Salmon Croquettes
Vibrant, fresh veggie sides pair well with the richness of salmon croquettes. Their bright colors and flavors lighten up the plate.
6. Roasted Broccoli
Nutty roasted broccoli florets make a delicious and healthy accompaniment for salmon croquettes. The high oven heat caramelizes the broccoli slightly for a sweet, almost smoky flavor.
All you need is broccoli, olive oil, salt, and pepper. For extra flavor, sprinkle with grated Parmesan after roasting.
7. Glazed Carrots
Sweet glazed carrots lend color to the plate and their honey-butter glaze offsets the salmon’s richness. Peel and slice carrots on the bias for diagonal ovals that glaze beautifully.
Simmer the carrots in broth with a pat of butter until nearly tender before glazing until shiny and sticky. The perfect balance of sweet and savory!
8. Green Bean Almondine
Fresh green beans sautéed with toasted almonds and lemon make an easy veggie side dish with salmon croquettes. The lemon brightens up the flavor while the almonds add crunch.
Quick-cooking frozen green beans work well too. Cook them with sliced garlic and chicken broth before mixing in the toasted almonds.
9. Squash Casserole
Classic Southern squash casserole combines fresh yellow squash and zucchini baked with cheese, eggs, and breadcrumbs. It’s a tasty choice for soaking up any extra sauce from the croquettes.
Customize your casserole with different add-ins like sour cream, crushed crackers, or crispy fried onions on top. You could even add some shredded carrots or corn.
10. Tomato Cucumber Salad
A fresh tomato and cucumber salad offers a bright, crunchy contrast to fried salmon croquettes. Toss wedges of vine-ripened tomatoes and cucumbers with vinaigrette dressing for a light Greek-style salad.
Make it even simpler by drizzling tomato and cucumber slices with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh herbs like basil, oregano or dill.
Starchy Sides for Salmon Croquettes
Hearty starches like potatoes, rice, and pasta make satisfying accompaniments for salmon croquettes. They round out the meal nicely.
11. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Smooth, creamy mashed potatoes infused with roasted garlic are an easy starchy side. Let people add their own pats of butter, milk, or sour cream to customize their potatoes.
For even more flavor, try folding in Parmesan, crumbled bacon, caramelized onions, or fresh chives. The possibilities are endless!
12. Potato Salad
A scoop of old-fashioned potato salad is a classic pairing for salmon croquettes. The potatoes soak up all the tangy dressing flavors like mustard, mayo, and vinegar.
Jazz it up with crunchy mix-ins like celery, pickles, or roasted red peppers. Chill the potato salad before serving alongside the hot croquettes.
13. Baked Mac and Cheese
For the ultimate comfort food meal, serve salmon croquettes with ooey-gooey baked mac and cheese. Mixing cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan ensures ultra-cheesy results.
Top with crispy fried onions or panko breadcrumbs for extra texture. You could even stir in crumbled bacon, roasted broccoli, or sautéed spinach.
14. Cheddar Cheese Grits
Creamy cheddar cheese grits make a quintessential Southern side for salmon croquettes. Stirring in extra sharp cheddar and butter keeps these grits rich, smooth, and full of flavor.
For a change of pace, try serving cheesy baked grits topped with tomatoes or scallions instead of plain grits. Spoon them alongside the croquettes on the plate.
15. Rice Pilaf
Simple rice pilaf with herbs and vegetables provides a neutral base for salmon croquettes. It won’t compete with the star of the show.
Build flavor in your pilaf by sautéing onion and garlic before adding rice and chicken broth. Fold in fresh herbs, peas, carrots, corn, or other vegetables once the rice is cooked.
Pairing Drinks and Desserts With Salmon Croquettes
A homemade meal deserves homemade beverages and desserts to match. Here are some tasty options:
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Iced tea – Sweet or unsweet, icy cold tea is perfect with Southern salmon croquettes. Brew up a pitcher with mint, lemon, peach, or raspberry tea bags.
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Lemonade – Tart, refreshing lemonade cuts through the fried coating on the croquettes. Make a simple syrup for sweetening to balance the lemon’s bite.
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Fruit salad – A fresh fruit salad with melons, berries, and citrus fruits keeps the meal feeling light. Toss the fruit with a honey-lime dressing.
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Pound cake – Buttery pound cake is a classic dessert for soaking up any leftover sauce from the croquettes. Drizzle slices with whipped cream or lemon glaze.
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Banana pudding – Rich banana pudding layered with vanilla wafers and whipped cream makes a sweet Southern-style dessert. Sprinkle with crushed ‘nillas for crunch.
With this list of side dish ideas in your back pocket, you’ll be ready to serve up perfect plates with salmon croquettes any night of the week. Try out some new flavor combinations or stick with tried-and-true classics – either way, delicious food and memories await.
What to serve with salmon patties: 15 sides!
One of our top sides to serve with salmon patties: this lemon rice recipe! Just a few simple ingredients take standard rice to the next level. Simply add lemon juice and zest, fresh garlic, and a bit of parsley to a pot of rice, and it infuses a zingy, citrusy flavor that’s positively irresistible!
Quite possibly the easiest side to serve with salmon patties: arugula salad! You don’t even have to make a salad dressing! In 5 to 10 minutes, you’ve got an elegant salad that pops wtih fresh lemon, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
These Baked Sweet Potato Fries are a perfect side for salmon patties! They’re crispy, perfectly seasoned, and you won’t be able to stop sneaking bites. Here are the best crispy baked sweet potato fries you can make at home! Or, use frozen baked fries as a quick and easy substitute.
A perfect fast and easy side to serve with salmon patties: couscous! This tiny pasta is fluffy, flavorful, and takes just 10 minutes to whip up with no actual cooking required (just boiling water!). This traditional Berber food has swept the globe: its ease of preparation and delightful light texture makes it perfect for serving with just about anything.
Here’s a fun, fresh side dish to add to your repertoire: apple slaw! Cabbage, apples and carrots partner up to form the basis of a tangy slaw. They’re doused in a creamy poppyseed dressing that you’ll want to pour on just about everything. It’s a slaw spin that’s unique in flavor but simple enough that you’ll want to keep making it all season long.
There’s nothing better than a classic Caesar salad…unless it’s a Kale Caesar Salad! Using hearty kale leaves in a Caesar salad has become popular: and for good reason. The fluffy, ridged texture of the leaves are ideal for coating in Caesar dressing. This spin on the Kale Caesar is our go-to, with a fresh, creamy homemade dressing and crunchy breadcrumbs in every bite.
Here’s a clutch pantry staple recipe to serve with salmon patties: orzo! This rice-shaped pasta is ultra fast to cook, making it ideal for nights where you need something on the table fast. This orzo recipe is incredibly simple but comes out comforting and nostalgic, pairing the tender grains with butter and a hint of lemon.
This really is the best creamy coleslaw, perfect for pairing with salmon patties! Its got just the right amount of flavor and richness from the coleslaw dressing, but it still has a healthy spin. This recipe is totally balanced in sweet and savory flavors: with no refined sugar and less mayo than most coleslaw recipes. Or, try our Easy Vinegar Coleslaw instead.
Here’s the fastest way to get colorful veggies to jump onto your plate: the ultimate sautéed vegetables recipe! The good old veggie sauté is often done wrong: it’s soggy or completely bland in flavor. So why don’t we do a total makeover? These sauteed vegetables are beautifully colored, bursting with flavor and crisp tender in texture: the perfect easy and healthy side dish!
Serve this carrot salad with salmon patties and everyone will be singing your praises! It’s simple and refreshing, featuring strings of carrots doused in a a tangy Mediterranean-style vinaigrette. Just a handful of ingredients and you have a healthy side dish you won’t want to stop eating.
Heres a quick way to a side dish: Broiled Asparagus! Throw the green spears into the broiler with a few lemon wheels, and they come out like roasted asparagus…but even better. Theyre perfect for pairing with salmon patties and look beautiful on the plate.
Quinoa is perfect to pair with salmon patties, a gluten-free side with a fluffy texture. Here’s our best quinoa recipe to make it into a perfectly seasoned side dish. Just a few simple ingredients transform it from bland to bursting with flavor!
Heres a high impact side to serve with salmon patties: Sauteed Broccolini! The elegantly long stems of this green veggie make it look fancy, but here’s a secret. You can cook it up in just 5 minutes in a hot skillet. Add a bit of garlic and lemon, and you won’t be able to stop eating these irresistibly large spears.
Here’s a simple way to dress up fresh green beans as a gourmet side: Green Beans Almondine! Make it at home, and this dish is brilliant! The beans are bright green and perfectly tender, sautéed in butter with garlic and toasted almonds and finished with a little lemon zest.
For one last idea for what to serve with salmon patties, try this kale slaw! This colorful mix of fresh veggies is simple to put together and tastes refreshingly sweet tart. It stars hearty kale, crisp apples, sweet carrot, and a zingy maple apple cider vinegar dressing.
Sauces to serve with salmon patties
A creamy, savory sauce is a must to serve with salmon patties. What are the top sauces? The first two are the most common, and then we’ve got a few more ideas:
Simply place the salmon patties on a pile of baby greens, then serve with the sauce of your choice! To make it a heartier meal, add 1 or 2 of the side dishes for salmon patties above to round out your plate. 01
Salmon Patties – Old Fashioned, Southern Recipe!
FAQ
FAQ
What side dish goes with salmon croquettes?
- Mashed Potatoes.
- Sauteed Green Beans.
- Roasted Tromboncino Squash with Yogurt Sauce.
- Tomato-Cucumber Salad.
- Cucumber-Onion Pickles.
- Cole Slaw.
- Creamed Corn.
- Butter Beans and Corn.
What goes with croquettes?
Croquettes, especially potato croquettes, pair well with a variety of accompaniments. Common choices include dipping sauces like aioli, herb mayonnaise, or marinara. They can also be served over mashed potatoes or rice with gravy, or alongside a salad for a lighter option.
What’s the difference between salmon patties and salmon croquettes?
The terms “salmon patties” and “salmon croquettes” are often used interchangeably, but some argue there’s a subtle difference. Generally, salmon patties are simpler, often made with basic ingredients like canned salmon, egg, and breadcrumbs, and are fried quickly. Salmon croquettes tend to be more refined, potentially incorporating additional ingredients like onions, peppers, or mashed potatoes, and are often shaped into ovals or logs before frying.
What goes with salmon as a side?
Salmon pairs well with a variety of sides, including vegetables, starches, and salads. Some popular choices include roasted asparagus, broccoli, green beans, roasted sweet potatoes, or mashed potatoes. For a lighter meal, consider a quinoa salad or cucumber salad.