37 Best Salmon Recipes

Some people fear preparing fish at home, thinking it's more complicated than it really is. These recipes will prove otherwise, making it surprisingly simple to whip up a beautiful salmon meal for your family or friends.

18 Delicious Side Dishes for Salmon

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Homemade Gravlax

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Scandinavian cured salmon, or homemade gravlax, tastes great on toast, bagels, or crackers—and it's actually easy to make at home. If you can't find Aquavit, a Scandinavian spirit, vodka will also work. Pacific salmon can sometimes carry a parasite, so freeze it for 30 minutes before using to kill any potential pests.
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Succulent Salmon Cakes

The Spruce

These simple succulent salmon cakes are a great way to use up leftover fish, but you can cook up some fillets just for this purpose or even use canned. Add a little cayenne pepper for an extra kick or enjoy these flavorful patties without if cooking for picky eaters. Serve them with a light salad or on a bun like a burger.
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Smoked Salmon on the Grill

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You can create slightly sweet smoked salmon on the grill or even your stovetop. Use cedar wood chips for a nice, light flavor or hickory if you can't find cedar. Note that this recipe calls for letting the salmon sit with the rub on top for about four hours prior, which creates a nice firm texture.
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Leftover Salmon Fried Rice

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Using leftover rice pilaf or cold white rice makes this one-dish leftover salmon fried rice recipe a snap to pull together on a busy work night. While it calls for canned salmon, you can also use leftover salmon fillets. Add frozen peas and any other vegetables you prefer to round it all out. A wok works best, but you can make it in a skillet, too.

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Simple Grilled Salmon

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Using the method featured in this simple grilled salmon recipe, you can make delicious grilled salmon fillets, no turning required. Any type of salmon you can find works well, and plan on using about six ounces of fish for each diner. Once you master the technique, feel free to add whatever rubs or spices you like.
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Baked Salmon Croquettes

The Spruce

Create bite-sized baked salmon croquettes for a party appetizer or fun dinner presentation without any hot oil using this baked technique. Minced vegetables give the croquettes a pretty color and tasty crunch, and you can use either canned or leftover salmon fillets. Serve with tartar sauce for dipping, but the croquettes are wonderful all by themselves.
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Salmon Fillets With Cranberry Sauce

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The sweet-tart sauce that goes with these salmon fillets with cranberry sauce lends both a lovely color contrast and a complementary flavor that will impress your family and dinner guests alike. Cranberries, sugar, currant jelly, orange juice, and onions all simmer down into a sauce that will have you licking your fingers. A green vegetable and a potato or grain round it out into a gorgeous meal.
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Citrus-Balsamic Baked Salmon

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Enjoy a taste of New York City with this citrus-balsamic baked salmon recipe from Danny Meyer's "Union Square Cafe Cookbook." Salmon fillets bake in a vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, and fresh herbs for a slightly sweet, slightly salty, and herbal flavor that's good tasting and good for you.

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Maple Glazed Salmon Fillet

The Spruce / Elaine Lemm

This maple glazed salmon fillet gets the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors from a marinade made with maple syrup and soy sauce. After cooking the fish on a griddle or cast-iron pan, the marinade is boiled down and used as a glaze.
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Salmon Burgers

Panagiotis Kyriakos / Getty Images

These simple salmon burgers are an excellent alternative to the traditional beef, with a fresh herbal taste and slight crunch thanks to the thyme and crushed saltine crackers. Using canned salmon makes it even more wallet-friendly, but you can use leftover fillets as well.
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Honey-Soy Baked Salmon

D.Schmidt

The flavors of this easy Asian-inspired salmon will show how simple it can be to prepare a delightful dinner. Salmon fillets marinate and bake in a delicious sauce that is sweet, sour, and spicy at the same time.
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Pomegranate Grilled Salmon

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In this easy pomegranate grilled salmon, the vinaigrette acts as both a marinade and finishing sauce. You will need to marinate the fillets for at least 20 minutes, so plan accordingly. While it does call for firing up the grill, you can also bake them. Serve them over a salad for a light dinner, so the vinaigrette can double as dressing.

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Salmon Bisque

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For a light lunch or a starter for a dinner party, this salmon bisque is creamy, rich, and warming. It starts with a simple roux, which is a skill you can apply to thicken other soups and stews once you've got it mastered. Garnish it with croutons, roasted red pepper strips, or sour cream for a pretty presentation.
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Hearty Salmon Corn Chowder

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Make this entree-sized hearty salmon corn chowder for a chilly evening or whenever you want a warm, comforting bowl of goodness. Kids will love the thick and creamy soup, which you can blend up in the food processor or enjoy as is if you prefer it a little chunkier. Garnish with crumbled bacon for extra crunch.
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Glazed Salmon Salad

The Spruce Eats / Elaine Lemm

Caramelized salmon is a brilliant addition to a fresh dinner salad. This glazed salmon salad recipe is delicious and quick, so it's perfect for busy weeknights. You'll add the salmon to a bed of mixed salad greens, cilantro, mint, and lightly crushed peanuts. Serve with rice, if you like, and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to finish it off wonderfully.
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Foil-Baked Salmon

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Baking salmon in a foil packet steams the fish with little to no fat while imparting flavor from the veggies, sliced lemon, and fresh herbs. In addition, this method of foil-baked salmon creates a lovely sauce you can pour over for a perfect, compact meal. It's great on the grill or even over the campfire, and practically foolproof. Start with this tutorial, and get creative as you master the technique.

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The Ultimate Smoked Salmon Bagel

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New Yorkers know that the ultimate smoked salmon bagel is the ultimate casual breakfast or lunch and you can make your own at home wherever you live. The addition of pickled red onion, scallions, fresh lemon, and a little dill all complement the slightly sweet smoked salmon and luscious cream cheese. We recommend an Everything bagel, but your favorite variety will also work well. Use high-quality ingredients for the best sandwich experience.
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Sesame Ginger Baked Salmon

Katie Workman / themom100.com

Tangy ponzu sauce and nutty sesame oil make a perfect marinade for this sesame ginger baked salmon fillets in this Asian-inspired recipe. If you can't find ginger syrup, just mix 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of minced fresh ginger instead. Serve it over hot white rice for a simple meal that comes together quickly for a busy weeknight. Your whole family will love the sweet and tangy flavors.
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Creamy Salmon Spread

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Whether you're throwing an appetizer party or need a quick and delicious starter for your next dinner get-together, your guests will devour this creamy salmon spread. Serve it on crispy crackers for textural contrast. You can use fresh or leftover salmon fillets or even canned salmon to make it even more budget-friendly. It would also taste great as a sandwich spread on croissants with leafy lettuce.
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Soy Glazed Salmon Jerky

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Make this soy-glazed salmon jerky in a dehydrator, smoker, or even your oven for a hearty snack you can always keep on hand. It needs to marinate for at least eight hours and it may take at least that long to reach the desired texture, so plan ahead. You can add additional spices or flavorings to mix it up, too.

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Scrambled Eggs With Smoked Salmon

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This easy and hearty scrambled eggs with smoked salmon makes a perfect breakfast-for-dinner that you can toss together quickly. Smoked salmon comes in both hot- and cold-smoked varieties. The hot version gets cooked while it's smoking, so it comes out salty and firm. Cold-smoked salmon doesn't, so it stays softer and creamier. You can use whichever you prefer in this recipe, but be aware that the flavor will change.
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Baked Teriyaki Salmon

Leah Maroney

Asian flavors and salmon go together perfectly, and this recipe for teriyaki salmon is a delicious way to enjoy the pairing. A mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger powders, and cornstarch is first used as a marinade and then cooked into a thick sauce. The fish is finished with a spoonful of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkling of sesame seeds and scallions.
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Honey Citrus Glazed Baked Salmon

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

A sweet and savory glaze makes this simple honey citrus glazed baked salmon finger-licking good, and it all comes together in under half an hour. Serve with roasted potatoes or risotto and a seasonal green vegetable like asparagus or Brussels sprouts. You could also grill the fillets for a slightly smokier taste.
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Salmon Spaghetti Carbonara

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Any long pasta like linguini, spaghetti, or fettuccine works beautifully in this creamy, hearty salmon spaghetti carbonara. The rich egg and cream sauce complements salty bacon and flaky salmon perfectly and you can also add green peas for a pop of color. Serve it as soon as possible, since the sauce will thicken and could become gluey as it cools.

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Brown Sugar Bourbon Salmon

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Bourbon, brown sugar, and nutty pecans are the perfect match for salmon fillets in this Southern-accented brown sugar bourbon salmon entree. You can use water instead of bourbon if you prefer, but the spirit gives the fish a lovely, slightly smoky element. Best of all, it all comes together in just about 15 minutes so you can make this elegant meal even on a weeknight.
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Seafood Crepes With Salmon

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Wrap salmon, shrimp, and mushrooms in these light crepes that are much easier to make than you think. Seasoned with dill and sprinkled with cheddar cheese, this seafood crepes with a salmon dish is light, fresh-tasting, and decadent at the same time. You can use prepared crepes to cut down on prep time, but mastering the technique is really worth it. Your guests won't believe their taste buds!
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Salmon Scalloped Potatoes

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You've probably made ham and scalloped potatoes with your leftover Easter ham, but have you ever thought to do the same with salmon? Flaky fish and creamy scalloped spuds make a delicious salmon scalloped potatoes main dish that's especially easy to toss together when using pre-sliced potatoes and frozen veggies. Use leftover grilled or baked salmon or even canned to expedite the process even further.
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Salmon Soufflé

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This light and luscious salmon soufflé isn't as hard as it sounds. Even though it only has two eggs, it sets up high and fluffy. Be warned: It will deflate quickly after leaving the oven, so serve it right away. Feel free to substitute dill or other herbs you like with salmon or use freshly cooked fillets instead of canned.

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Cheesy Salmon Casserole

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Toss this salmon casserole in the oven to have dinner ready in half an hour with little active prep time. Either canned or fresh salmon fillets work great and you can adjust the seasonings and types of cheese with your family's favorites. Use cream of celery, potato, or even mushroom soup as the base and either egg or other shaped noodles to hold all of that mouthwatering sauce.
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Slow Cooker Salmon With Caramelized Onions and Carrots

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Did you know you can make salmon in the slow cooker? This easy main course uses moist heat to make a flaky and flavorful fish and can sit on low for 6 to 8 hours while you're at work. It also lends itself to experimentation, so add mustard, dill, other herbs, and even different vegetables to tweak the taste. Serve the slow cooker salmon with caramelized onions and carrots and vegetables by themselves or with a side of potatoes for something heartier.
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Salmon Skin Salad

Judy Ung

This Japanese-style salmon skin salad often appears on sushi restaurant menus and it's simple to replicate at home. Make sure you buy salmon fillets with the skin on or save the skin from another meal. Buying pre-washed spring greens will make it faster, as will a pre-made ponzu sauce or another Asian-style dressing.
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Salmon Stuffed Bell Peppers

The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

We usually stuff bell peppers with a beef or sausage mixture, but salmon stuffed bell peppers taste great, too. These peppers get filled with a fish and Parmesan cheese blend that's creamy, flaky, and a lovely contrast to the bright, crunchy peppers. Buy a combination of red, yellow, and green peppers to form a beautiful platter.

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Salmon and Sweet Potato Cakes

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If you haven't tried salmon with sweet potato, you're in for a treat. These easy fishcakes combine the two in a Thai green curry sauce for a unique, slightly spicy meal. Serve them with a tangy mayonnaise sauce on the side for contrast.
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Pesto Salmon Pasta

The Spruce

Whip up this simple and elegant pesto salmon pasta for an easy and beautiful weeknight meal or for guests visiting on the weekends. Any long pasta works, so go for spaghetti, linguini, or fettuccini. You can DIY a pesto if you want to really go homemade, but bottled or jarred pesto will make a faster meal. Freshly grated Parmesan finishes the dish nicely, so go the extra mile.
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Spicy Salmon Poke Bowl

The Spruce

This Hawaiian raw spicy salmon poke bowl is all the rage and for good reason. Poke, pronounced "poh-kay" is an all-in-one meal that combines sushi-grade fish, rice or salad, and pickled and fresh vegetables. This version blends high-quality raw salmon, pickled cucumbers, and a zesty homemade Sriracha sauce. Build it all over rice or salad for a delicious taste of the island life.
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Elegant Salmon Quiche

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Consider your dinner or brunch dilemma solved with a quick and delicious elegant salmon quiche. Go ahead and mix up the flavor by adding asparagus, peas, or other veggies to the egg and salmon mixture. Fresh salmon fillets or canned salmon work equally well. This recipe uses a prepared pie crust, but you can also make your own.

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Sheet Pan Salmon Teriyaki

Leah Maroney

This easy recipe is a one-pan dinner. Salmon along with broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, and carrots are all baked in a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce made of soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger powders, vinegar, and cornstarch. The salmon and vegetables bake for 15 to 20 minutes and then are dressed with more sauce and sesame seeds.

37 Best Salmon Dishes