The Best Fruits to Pair with Salmon for a Delicious Meal

Salmon is a versatile and healthy fish that can be prepared in endless tasty ways. When cooking salmon adding fruit can provide a sweet contrast to the fish’s richness. The sweet and tangy flavors of fruit complement salmon perfectly. But with so many fruits to choose from which ones make the best pairings? I did some research to find the top fruits that go great with salmon.

Why Salmon and Fruit Are a Delicious Combo

Salmon has a natural buttery, fatty quality that is complemented by tangy, sweet fruits. The contrast of textures is also pleasing – the flaky salmon with juicy bits of fruit. Fruits add moisture as well as flavor, keeping the salmon from drying out during cooking. Their brightness balances the fattiness of the fish. Citrus fruits, especially, help cut through the salmon’s oiliness.

Fruits also add beautiful colors to salmon dishes, creating appealing presentations. A fruit salsa or relish on top of a salmon fillet is both tasty and pretty. Fruits lend themselves to creative recipes involving salmon, beyond just a typical salmon fillet with lemon. Think salads, tacos, appetizers and more.

Best Fruits to Pair with Salmon

After researching multiple sources, the fruits that seem to pair best with salmon are:

• Citrus fruits – Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit
• Berries – Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
• Melons – Honeydew, cantaloupe
• Mangoes – Great tropical flair
• Pineapple – Sweet with a bit of tang
• Peaches – Sweetness contrasts salmon
• Pears – Buttery texture complements salmon
• Apples – Tartness cuts through salmon’s fattiness
• Pomegranate – Pop of sweetness and beautiful color

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best fruits to pair with everybody’s favorite omega-3-rich fish.

Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are a classic pairing with salmon. Lemon and lime are especially ubiquitous. A squeeze of lemon brightens up simply prepared salmon fillets or salmon patties. The zesty acidity of citrus fruits cuts through the rich oils of the salmon. Citrus adds a fresh flavor that compliments the fish beautifully.

Beyond lemons and limes other citrus fruits also pair well with salmon. For example orange makes a sweet glaze or salsa when paired with the fish. Grapefruit has a nice kick of tangy flavor that serves as a lively counterpoint.

Since they are so versatile, don’t hesitate to experiment with different types of citrus fruits when cooking salmon. Citrus zest can also impart flavor.

Berries

Berries offer both sweetness and tartness, making them a perfect match for salmon’s fatty richness There are so many varieties to choose from too. Raspberries offer a delicate sweet-tart balance when paired with salmon. Blueberries infuse dishes with antioxidant power along with their hallmark sweetness. Strawberries lend their signature juicy sweetness

Berries are easy to enjoy with salmon. For example, whip up a fresh berry salsa by dicing them up with some onion and cilantro. Let the flavors mingle before spooning over cooked salmon. Bake salmon topped with a simple berry compote for a delicious meal.

So feel free to get creative with salmon and berries! Any berry variety will provide the bright sweet-tart notes that beautifully offset the fish.

Mangoes

If you want to infuse your salmon with exotic tropical flair, look no further than mangoes. Mangoes have an unmistakable sweetness coupled with a subtle tartness from their rich blend of flavors. The juicy flesh has a vibrancy that pairs divinely with salmon’s supple, buttery texture.

Mango can be used in salsas, glazes, chutneys and more for salmon dishes. Consider grilling the salmon and mangoes together so the fruits caramelize and release even more flavor. There are also many ways to prepare a mango – diced, pureed, grilled – so you can determine the best texture to complement your salmon.

Pineapple

Pineapple’s signature sweetness with a bit of tartness makes it a nice match for salmon. Grilling draws out even more of the fruit’s sweet caramelized flavors. The tanginess helps cut through the salmon’s fattiness.

Some tasty ways to eat salmon with pineapple include making kebabs with chunks of both or blending pineapple into a sweet glaze for the fish. Whip up a fresh pineapple salsa by dicing the fruit along with red onion, cilantro and serrano chiles. The possibilities are endless for combining salmon with this tropical treat.

Peaches

The delicate sweetness of peaches pairs beautifully with salmon’s richness. Peaches offer a pleasing fruitiness that complements the tender and flaky qualities of the fish. Their soft texture also works well with salmon.

Consider making a peach relish with diced peaches, onions and bell peppers to spoon over your cooked salmon. Or, roast salmon with sliced peaches and onions for a sweet caramelized glaze on the fish. So experiment with peaches to add summery flair to your salmon dishes.

Pears

Pears contain a delicate sweetness that interplays fantastically with salmon. They have a supple, buttery flesh with a floral aroma that integrates well with the fish. Their smooth creaminess serves as an elegant counterpoint to salmon’s oily fattiness.

Thinly sliced pears lend visual beauty and flavor when baked together with salmon. Another tasty idea is salmon glazed with a mixture of diced pears, garlic and mustard. So don’t overlook pears when searching for the perfect fruit pairing for salmon.

Preparation Tips for Salmon with Fruit

Now that you know the best fruits to pair with salmon, let’s look at some tips for preparation and cooking:

• Fresh fruit is usually best. If using canned, choose fruit packed in its own juice, not sugary syrup.

• Allow diced fruit to macerate in lemon or lime juice to enhance flavors before adding to salmon.

• Fruit can burn quickly, so take care when roasting or grilling salmon with fruit.

• Skewer fruits like pineapple chunks when making salmon kebabs for best results.

• Cook fruits just until warmed through or slightly caramelized to optimize texture.

• Add fruits like berries or peaches in the final minutes when sautéing or baking salmon.

• Make a compound butter mixing diced fruit into softened butter to top salmon fillets.

• Gently reheat fruit salsas, chutneys or relishes to preserve the fresh qualities.

• Pair salmon cooked with fruit with a lightly oaked Chardonnay or sparkling wine.

With a wide variety of fruits to choose from and endless preparation methods, the possibilities are boundless for creating mouthwatering salmon dishes paired with fruit. Follow these tips to concoct tasty recipes that even the pickiest eaters will savor. Fruit takes salmon to the next level of flavor, nutrition and presentation.