Delicious and simple salmon dishes that win over both skeptics and enthusiasts – featuring rice bowls, burgers, tacos, plus easy sheet pan and one-pot dinners!
Our family loves salmon. However, it must be prepared correctly. It requires the right seasonings, sauce, and baking method to transform it into a dish worth anticipating.
These salmon dishes are among my top picks – they provide a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids and protein while being incredibly tasty. Plus, they’re simple! Salmon cooks quickly, and most of these recipes require just a brief time in the oven (my favored way to cook salmon).
The complete list below serves as your salmon starter kit – rice bowls, salmon burgers, tacos, and sheet pan meals that do most of the work for you. No complicated techniques involved, just approachable, crowd-pleasing dinners highlighting salmon at its best.
My Top Salmon Recipes
Chipotle Salmon with Orange Salsa and Aji Verde
Sweet and smoky chipotle salmon topped with fresh orange salsa and creamy aji verde! An easy, delicious, restaurant-quality salmon dinner.
Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa
Bang Bang Salmon! Creamy, sweet, savory, and flavorful. Served with fluffy rice and an avocado cucumber salsa. Perfect for weeknights!
Sheet Pan Salmon with Dill Potatoes
Easy and tasty salmon and potatoes roasted on a sheet pan, drizzled with a garlic dill butter sauce! One of my family’s favorite meals.
Incredibly Good Air Fryer Salmon
My favorite salmon recipe that’s always a hit! Crispy and golden on the outside, buttery and moist inside, prepared in just 15 minutes from start to finish.
Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad
We’re making a bright summer salmon with a flavorful basil sauce that’s so good you’ll want to drink it. Perfectly seasoned, fresh, and a dish for everyone!
Salmon Tacos with Mango Corn Salsa
Incredibly simple salmon tacos packed with mango, sweet corn, and cucumber salsa!
Delicious Salmon Burgers with Slaw
These salmon burgers are AMAZING! Made with just five ingredients, they’re perfect for a quick and easy high-protein meal.
Spring Salmon with Creamed Leeks, Potatoes, and Asparagus
We’re presenting a delicious dinner that brings sunshine to your plate! Golden-crisp salmon alongside oven-roasted asparagus and a rich creamy leek sauce over crispy potatoes.
The Oliver’s Salad
Enjoy this stunning salad inspired by the Oliver’s restaurant in Minnesota. Tender salmon, savory peppers with garlic confit, buttery avocado chunks, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and a flow of homemade smoky ranch dressing.
Hot Honey Salmon
This Hot Honey Salmon offers an elegant but easy-to-make experience. Spicy-sweet salmon topped with fresh garlic, stone-ground mustard, sweet honey, and a hint of red pepper flakes. It’s an enchanting creation!
Baked Salmon with Amazing Lemon Sauce
Tasty baked salmon paired with crispy potatoes and broccoli, all smothered in a life-changing lemon sauce. It’s a bistro-style dining experience!
Spicy Salmon Burgers
These Spicy Salmon Burgers are full of flavor! With canned salmon, panko, refreshing lemongrass, combined with a sweet and spicy blend of red curry paste and brown sugar. So tasty and straightforward!
Coconut Curry Salmon
Coconut Curry Salmon! Broiled salmon enhanced with a sweet and savory spice rub, rich coconut curry sauce, and fluffy rice to absorb every bit.
BBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa
BBQ Salmon Bowls featuring Mango Avocado Salsa! A simple yet impressive dinner with delicious smoky-sweet flavors and zesty homemade salsa to elevate your meal. The ultimate weeknight dinner.
Perfect Baked Salmon with Lentils and Lemon Herb Sauce
Perfect Baked Salmon served with Lentils, Quinoa, and Lemon Herb Sauce – super nutritious, high in protein, all baked in one easy dish. This is incredibly DELICIOUS!
Caramelized Salmon
This caramelized salmon is straightforward, nutritious, and utterly beautiful. Just five ingredients and 20 minutes yield a wonderful caramel crust on the salmon.
Advice for Selecting Salmon
Whether you’re a seasoned salmon enthusiast or just starting, here’s what I look for when choosing salmon for these recipes!
Farm-Raised vs. Wild-Caught
The distinction between farm-raised and wild-caught salmon lies in their upbringing! Wild-caught salmon is usually leaner and has a stronger fish flavor owing to its natural habitat, while farm-raised is richer and has a more subtle taste. I’ve tried both, and while both are delightful, I generally lean towards the flavor and texture of farm-raised salmon.
Fresh vs. Frozen
This is primarily a matter of choice and convenience – I prefer fresh salmon to eliminate the thawing process when dinner time arrives, but some may argue that frozen salmon is actually fresher if it was flash-frozen shortly after being caught. So, it’s about what works best for your schedule and effort!
Sustainability
Wild-caught salmon is often a more sustainable choice, but since I personally enjoy the flavor of farm-raised salmon, I wanted to highlight how to make that option more sustainable! I utilize this sustainable salmon guide to identify the best choices (location, certifications, etc.). Typically, I look for salmon that is ASC or BAP certified, clearly indicated on the packaging!
**16 Simple and Delicious Salmon Recipes for All Tastes**
Salmon is a versatile and nutritious fish that can be prepared in numerous ways to suit a variety of palates. Whether you prefer it grilled, baked, or raw, these 16 simple and delicious salmon recipes are sure to satisfy all tastes.
1. **Grilled Lemon Herb Salmon**: Marinate salmon fillets in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs like dill and parsley. Grill until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
2. **Honey Garlic Salmon**: Sauté salmon fillets in a mixture of honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Cook until the sauce thickens and coats the salmon.
3. **Teriyaki Salmon**: Marinate salmon in teriyaki sauce for at least 30 minutes. Bake or grill until cooked through, and serve with steamed rice and vegetables.
4. **Salmon Tacos**: Season salmon with chili powder, cumin, and lime juice. Grill and serve in corn tortillas with avocado, cabbage slaw, and a drizzle of lime crema.
5. **Baked Dijon Salmon**: Spread a mixture of Dijon mustard, honey, and breadcrumbs over salmon fillets. Bake until golden and serve with roasted vegetables.
6. **Salmon Pasta**: Toss cooked pasta with flaked salmon, cream, lemon zest, and spinach for a creamy and satisfying dish.
7. **Smoked Salmon Bagel**: Top a toasted bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and red onion for a classic breakfast or brunch option.
8. **Salmon Poke Bowl**: Combine cubed raw salmon with soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions. Serve over rice with avocado, cucumber, and seaweed salad.
9. **Salmon Cakes**: Mix flaked salmon with breadcrumbs, egg, and herbs. Form into patties and pan-fry until golden brown. Serve with a dollop of tartar sauce.
10. **Maple Glazed Salmon**: Brush salmon fillets with a mixture of maple syrup, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bake until caramelized and serve with roasted sweet potatoes.
11. **Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packets**: Place salmon and asparagus on a sheet of foil, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and seal the packet. Bake until the salmon is cooked through.
12. **Salmon Chowder**: Simmer salmon chunks with potatoes, corn, and cream for a hearty and comforting soup.
13. **Mediterranean Salmon**: Top salmon with a mixture of chopped tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and oregano. Bake until the salmon is cooked through.
14. **Salmon Sushi Rolls**: Roll sushi rice and nori around strips of raw salmon, cucumber, and avocado for homemade sushi rolls.
15. **Salmon Quiche**: Combine flaked salmon with eggs, cream, cheese, and spinach. Pour into a pastry shell and bake until set.
16. **Salmon Stir-Fry**: Stir-fry salmon pieces with broccoli, bell peppers, and a ginger-soy sauce for a quick and healthy meal.
These recipes showcase the adaptability of salmon, making it easy to incorporate this nutritious fish into your weekly meal rotation. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, these dishes are sure to impress with their flavors and simplicity.
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