Here are our 25 BEST Salmon Recipes! Rich in Omega-3s and an excellent source of protein, salmon provides so many amazing health benefits. Salmon is versatile, cooks up quickly and makes the whole meal feel more elegant. Scroll to the bottom for Salmon Buying Guide.
25 Best Salmon Recipes
Whether you are looking for baked salmon recipes, grilled salmon recipes, pan-seared salmon, or smoked salmon recipes, we’ve got you covered. 🎉
We’ve included a great selection of summery salmon salads, sheet-pan salmon recipes, elegant salmon dinners (perfect for entertaining), quick and easy salmon recipes, and a couple of unique salmon recipes you won’t find anywhere else- we know you’ll find lots of dinner inspiration here! Scroll to the bottom for our Salmon Guying Guide.
Summery Salmon Salads and Sandwiches
Grilled Salmon Salad with Avocado Cucumber Salsa
Grilled Salmon Salad with Avocado-Cucumber Salsa and over a bed of Little gems, with a Creamy Cilantro Dressing. A perfect light dinner entree!
Smoked Salmon, Avocado & Fennel Salad
Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Fennel Salad with butter lettuce and creamy Dill Dressing. Fast and easy, this hearty entree salad makes for the best delicious lunch or dinner main.
Grilled Salmon Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
This Grilled Salmon Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing is perfect for summer barbecues and outdoor gatherings. Chock full of fresh organic produce, not only is this entree salad healthy and easy to make, it’s bursting with delicious summertime flavor! Keto and Low-carb.
Blackened Salmon Sandwich
One of our favorite salmon recipes is this incredibly delicious Blackened Salmon Sandwich! A succulent crispy crusted, cajun spiced salmon fillet tucked into a toasted bun with fresh greens, cucumber, red onion, drizzled with creamy Dilly Ranch Dressing.
Baked Salmon Recipes (Sheet-pan dinners!)
Szechuan Salmon with Scallion Green Beans
Szechuan Salmon with Scallion Green Beans baked in the oven can be made in just 30 minutes. One of our most flavorful baked salmon recipes- perfect for a deliciously healthy weeknight dinner!
Baked Miso Salmon
Here’s the easiest recipe for Baked Miso Salmon – a fast and healthy salmon recipe that can be paired with seasonal veggies- for a weeknight dinner that can be made in under 25 minutes. One of our favorites!
Citrus Baked Salmon with Fingerlings
Citrus Baked Salmon with roasted fingerlings and kumquats in a flavorful citrus marinade. With only 15 minutes of hands-on time, this simple easy salmon dinner recipe is perfect for busy weeknights!
Teriyaki Salmon with Baby Bok Choy
One of our favorite baked salmon recipes, this Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Baby Bok Choy, is a delicious healthy dinner that can be made in 25 minutes.
Baked Salmon with Dill Sauce and Asparagus
One of our favorite salmon recipes, Roasted Salmon with Asparagus and Dill Sauce, a simple sheet-pan dinner that comes together in 30 minutes.
Baked Salmon with Rhubarb
Simple Baked Salmon with maple-glazed rhubarb and wilted chard, a healthy, delicious 25-minute salmon recipe!
Fun & Elegant Salmon Dinners (perfect for entertaining!)
Simple Salmon Chowder
The BEST Salmon Chowder recipe using fresh salmon, can be made in about 30 minutes on the stovetop. Fennel bulb gives this a lovely flavor, while a little smoked paprika adds a subtle smokiness without adding bacon. Low carb, Keto, and dairy-free adaptable, it’s a simple, delicious meal that is perfect for entertaining.
Tea-Smoked Five Spice Salmon
Tea-smoked Five Spice Salmon sounds complicated and fancy but honestly couldn’t be more simple! The flavors will delight you and all you need is a wok! Easy step-by-step recipe for an elegant meal. You can totally do this!
Salmon with Braised French Lentils
This delicious salmon recipe features Baked Salmon with Lemon and Thyme served over a bed of Braised French Green Lentils. An amazing, simple and healthy dinner recipe! Perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
Pan-Seared Steelhead (or Salmon) w/ Spring Pea Sauce
This elegant dish and be made with Steelhead or Salmon- its top with sauteed mushrooms, over a bed Truffled Spring Pea Sauce with baby potatoes. If you ask me, it is heavenly. It is not a hard recipe, and you’ll feel very pleased with yourself after making this, I promise.
Roasted Pomegranate Salmon
Roasted Pomegranate Salmon with braised fennel – a delicious and festive dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes.
Pan-Seared Salmon with Chia Crust & Fennel Slaw
Chia Crusted Salmon, served over cool crunchy fennel slaw, topped with quick pickled onions. A simple, elegant dinner that is quick and healthy.
Furikake Salmon
An amazing favorite salmon recipe is Furikake Salmon Bowls! Seared Salmon with Sesame oil pared with veggies, avocado and rice is a fast and easy weeknight dinner that healthy and delicious.
Salmon Hand Rolls!
Perfect for entertaining, these Salmon Hand Rolls (aka Temaki) with smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, shiitakes and daikon sprouts are easy and fun to make! Your guests will love them, ( for an interactive dinner, have them roll their own!) and even your kids! Healthy light, and tasty, these make for the perfect summer meal.
Homemade Lox!
WOW your guests with your own homemade Lox! It is easier than you think and can be used on bruschetta, charcuterie boards, bagels, sushi or salads!
Quick and Easy Salmon Dinners!
Simple Salmon Cakes (3 Variations)
Quick and Easy Salmon Cakes- a simple pantry recipe that can be whipped up in 20 minutes, perfect for midweek meals! The recipe features 3 different variations – Asian Salmon Cakes, Mediterranean Salmon Cakes and Nordic-style Salmon Cakes!
Spicy Miso Ramen with Chili Glazed Salmon
This Spicy Miso Ramen Recipe is topped with the most flavorful Chili Roasted Salmon and swimming with baby bok choy and shiitake mushrooms in the most flavorful ramen broth! Use ramen noodles, or rice noodles. A delicious weeknight dinner!
Baked Salmon with Mustard!
Simple and easy, this Mustard Baked Salmon recipe requires only three ingredients! Easy, fast and full of flavor! The perfect weeknight meal!
Simple Moroccan Salmon
A healthy, delicious salmon recipe for Moroccan Salmon, paired with a Quinoa salad with orange, mint, almonds and olives. Simple, fast and easy.
Grilled Salmon Recipes!
Grilled Salmon with Tzatziki
One of our best salmon recipes, these Grilled Salmon Tzatziki Bowls are full of flavor and loaded up with healthy veggies!
Grilled Salmon with Pickled Huckleberries
We saved the BEST for last. This Grilled Salmon with Pickled Huckleberries is hands-down my personal favorite. I know it sounds a bit strange- but when we used to cater huge events, it was the most requested recipe from our guests. Light and delicious and full of flavor, huckleberries are just slightly pickled giving the salmon a surprisingly wonderful brightness. No huckleberries? Try this with fresh blueberries!
What type of Salmon to Buy?
Some of you may be wondering which salmon you should buy. Here are some general guidelines to help you make an informed decision.
- Pacific Wild Salmon- Pacific salmon are found in the Pacific ocean and there are 5 main varieties: King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Pink Salmon, and Chum. Pacific Salmon is mostly caught in the wild, either in the ocean or in freshwater rivers, although there are a few farmed salmon enterprises.
- Atlantic Salmon- Atlantic Salmon, originally from the Atlantic ocean, is now endangered in the wild, so all Atlantic Salmon are now farmed. Farmed Salmon that is not sustainably raised (raised in high-density net pens) can have damaging effects on nearby coastlines and waterways, and the salmon itself is often treated with antibiotics, pesticides, and dyes.
- Sustainably-Farmed Atlantic Salmon are raised in closed tank aquaculture or in low-density net pens- which do less damage to the environment and create healthier fish. There are several sustainably-farmed Atlantic salmon varieties available. Skuna, out of Vancouver Island offers up sustainably farmed salmon as well as Nordic Blu Salmon, which you can often find at Whole foods.
- Salmon substitutes: Other fish like Arctic Char, Ocean Trout and Steelhead are close substitutes to salmon if salmon is not an option.
- TIP: If new to cooking salmon- fattier, oilier salmon like king salmon or Atlantic salmon is much more forgiving, as it is harder to overcook it and dry it out. If suing salmon for sushi, look for “sushi-grade” salmon.
- Frozen Salmon: If buying frozen salmon, opt for those that are flash-frozen and vacuum-sealed.
- Smell: Whichever salmon you choose, it should smell clean and fresh like the ocean. If it smells “fishy”, I would reconsider. 😉
- Sustainability – learn more here: Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program.
More Recipe Collections you may like:
- 20 Simple Healthy Fish Recipes!
- 50 Grilling Recipes for Summer
- 20 Best Asparagus Recipes
- 30 Vibrant Healthy Spring Recipes!
- Cooling Recipes for Hot Summer Days
25 BEST Salmon Recipes!
Here are our 25 BEST Salmon Recipes! Rich in healthy fats (omega 3’s) and an excellent source of protein, salmon provides so many amazing health benefits. Salmon is versatile, cooks up quickly and makes the whole meal feel more elegant: Easy Grilled Salmon.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: main, salmon
- Method: grilled, baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium lemon
- 1–2 garlic cloves (optional), finely minced
- 1 tablespoon thyme
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium.
- Cut salmon in to 4 pieces and place in a bowl. Lightly coat with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and zest from one lemon. Add the garlic and thyme, gently tossing to coat.
- Cut the lemon in half and place on the grill, open side down.
- Place salmon on the grill, skin-side down first, and grill 4-6 minutes, covering. The skin should release itself naturally from the grill. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes or until your desired “doneness”. Keep in mind thinker pieces may take longer, and thin pieces may take less time.
- Squeeze with the grilled lemon.
- Serve salmon immediately or refrigerate for mid-week meals for up to 3 days.
Notes
No grill? You can also bake the salmon in 375F oven until cooked to your liking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 193
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 10.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.4 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 22.6 g
- Cholesterol: 62.3 mg
Keywords: best salmon recipes, salmon recipes, salmon recipe, healthy salmon recipes, best salmon recipe, grilled salmon recipes, baked salmon recipes, pan seared salmon, salmon salads
All of these recipes look delicious but I think the one that looks the best to me is the Teriyaki Salmon with Baby Bok Choy. I am going to have to try some of these for sure.
Ohhhhh the salmon cakes!!! Gonna try one of those this week, can’t wait! 🙂
★★★★★
I love all the colors in your recipes. So healthy and tasty!!
I can’t wait to try the Grilled Salmon with Creamy Cilantro Lime dressing. It looks and sounds amazing!! With a family of five (3 being teens) I’m so grateful for all of your flavorful recipes and the wide variety. Plus the easy ways to adapt them for the different tastes of my kids. Thank you
Oh Sylvia, looking at your salmon recipes, I was like a kid in the candy store. “Oooo, I want this one, no, this one, this one…” It came down to my favorite being the grilled salmon with creamy cilantro dressing. YES PLEASE!!!
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Sylvia, I am new to your blog. My husband and I love all your recipes. We have been looking for someone creating chef quality recipes that are healthy. Keep up the good work!
thanks Julie!
My favourite is the Spicy Miso Ramen Recipe topped with Chili Roasted Salmon. I had my family make it for my birthday. It was delicious!
I totally loved all the flavors of the grilled salmon and creamy citrus salad! What an easy recipe to make
I will definitely make it again. Thank you so much!
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I appreciate all the tips on what kind of salmon to buy! I always have a vague worry on the back of my head about picking an unsustainable option, so I usually pass on making salmon. After seeing these recipes, that would be hard to keep up! I’m especially interested in the ones using nice tart fruitto complement the fatty fish. Based on the other comments, I’ll have to try the huckleberry recipe first!
Give it a go!
My kids are extremely picky but they like salmon. Thank you for this collection of recipes!
I make the furikake salmon all the time! I live your recipes and creativity!
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The grilled salmon salad with creamy lime cilantro dressing caught my eye, so I made it tonight for our family Sunday supper. So, so delicious and that dressing is my new favorite. Everyone raved….tangy and fresh. Thank you for so many delicious salmon options! Your recipes are consistently the best, Sylvia!
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Can’t wait to make your chia crusted salmon for my dad and husband next weekend! Thanks for the quick, healthy dinner inspiration – this pregnant momma with a busy toddler appreciates it!
What an amazing compilation of salmon recipes…can’t wait to make them all! I have everything needed to make the Grilled Salmon Salad with Avocado-Cucumber Salsa on the shopping list! I crave salmon all summer!
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Can’t wait to try the Asian inspired salmon fishcakes! Trying to get in as much Omega 3 as I can, and this list is a lifesaver <3
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Oh my gosh, the baked salmon with mustard was the first one I tried on the list — call me lazy, but only 3 ingredients needed, super easy, had all the ingredients, and so delicious. I love mustard sauces, but had only tried them with chicken, never occurred to me to try it on salmon. What a treat! Thank you!
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thanks Susan!
These recipes all look lovely! Seeing that here in the Caribbean it is near avocado season, I will definitely try the grilled salmon with the avacado cucumber salsa or the salmon furikake. Sounds refreshing.
These all look amazing! How will I choose? I have consistently loved your recipes, so thanks for sharing them with us!
Tried the Grilled Salmon with Tsatsiki. In Arizona we have a stage 2 fire restriction, meaning no charcoal grills. I made this pan searing the salmon and broiling the veggies. It worked great, even though grilling would be better. Really liked the quinoa. I definitely want to try more of these recipes, like the blackened salmon sandwiches!
Glad this worked for you!
OMG I can’t wait to prepare every single one of the salmon recipes from your ‘25 Best Salmon Recipe.’ I am always in search of good fish recipes, this is a huge help. Tonight I will try your ‘Baked Salmon with Mustard.’ I can’t wait. Thank you Sylvia for sharing.
So hard to pick just one favorite! I’d have to go for either the Salmon chowder or the grilled salmon salad with creamy lime cilantro dressing.
How can you pick just one of these amazing recipes? I may start with the Moroccan Salmon as I have fresh mint leftover from your Chicken Shawarma and Tzatziki recipes that I made for guests today. They couldn’t stop saying how amazing both were. Dinner was awesome. I’ve made many of your recipes and have never been disappointed. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Stephanie
I was just looking for a special recipe to cook for my husband for his first Father’s Day! We welcomed our first baby into the world in March after many years of infertility. I want to make him something memorable and I’m leaning towards the teriyaki salmon with baby bok choy. I love your other teriyaki recipes (instant pot teriyaki chicken & Japanese farm-style teriyaki chicken) so I’m sure this will be delicious! I’ve also cooked the baked salmon with mustard from this collection and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a quick weeknight dinner that has tons of flavor.
I just love your recipes! Thank you so much for consistently sparking creativity and deliciousness in our home!!
★★★★★
thanks and congrats on your new baby!
My salmon is out to defrost for cooking Monday night’s dinner. I’m looking for something pretty easy so the Baked Salmon with Miso looks like what I’ll try.
BTW – what experience have you had with Salmon (and other fish) with an air fryer?
Thanks,
Kathleen
Haven’t tried it in an air fryer! Interesting idea!
We’re working our way through all the recipes on this site (slowly but surely!). The two of our favorites here were the Blackened Salmon Sandwich and the Grilled Salmon Salad for light summery meals. It’s fun and exciting to try something new when you’re confident it will be worth the time and make you excited for leftovers!
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