Salmon is excellent for seafood enthusiasts. It is a source of low-calorie proteins and omega-3s. It also provides minerals like potassium, and if you are looking to lose some pounds, it is excellent for weight control. You may decide to have it alone, but it will be better with a compatible side dish.
What is salmon?
Salmon is a common type of food that most people categorize as oily fish. It is highly nutritious, and it is also rich in cholesterol whose level may vary depending on the salmon species. Like many other individuals, I like salmon because it doesn’t have the typical fishy taste.
Instead, it has a subtle refreshing flavor that may differ according to the recipe that you decide to follow when cooking it. You can add ingredients of your choice. These may include red peppers, mayonnaise, and Italian parsley. Additionally, you also get to choose if you will grill, roast, fry, or smoke them.
The fact that it is like slightly flavored meat allows you to serve it with a variety of side dishes. In case you are having problems deciding which one to choose, below are some that you can try out.
What will go well with salmon?
There are many recipes that you can pick to go with the healthy fish. Make them simple to ensure that they don’t overpower the salmon’s taste.
Remember to make sure that they are different from the main dish. For instance, you should not serve your salmon with another type of fish; it cannot work. You must always strive to strike a balance to ensure that the meal provides all the nutrients that your body requires.
Garlicky Roasted Broccoli
Your salmon can pair well with roasted garlic broccoli. Olive oil would be perfect to use, and you can roast it until it is golden to get a more delicious taste. Consider adding some pepper and salt. Some sugar will caramelize the broccoli and remove any bitterness that it may have developed during roasting.
Butter Roasted Sweet Potatoes
This side dish is great for salmon because of its crisp skin and buttery, creamy softness inside. You will need sweet potatoes, salt, and butter. Adding some coconut oil will achieve a faintly nutty flavor that will make the fish taste better. Roasting the sweet potatoes will take about 20 minutes.
Homemade cabbage slaw
Cabbage slaw is easy to make. It has a refreshing, pleasant taste that perfectly complements your buttery salmon. You can choose to shred/grate some carrots and add them to it. Other ingredients that would make it better include Dijon mustard to make it spicy and more flavorsome, champagne or red wine vinegar for fresh dressing as well as mayonnaise to make the dressing a bit creamy.
With carrots and cabbage, you do not have to add sugar. The side dish is already sweet enough, and you shouldn’t overdo it.
Wilted escarole with lemon and garlic
Heating the escarole a little will mellow out their naturally bitter taste. Remember to use some oil, garlic, salt, and pepper to bring out the vegetable’s best flavors. Cooking it requires only a few minutes, and then you can serve it with lemon wedges, together with the salmon. If you cannot find escarole, you may use romaine instead.
Sesame Peanut Cucumber Salad
There is no doubt that this salad can be great to have with salmon, especially on a hot summer day. It is light but extremely rich in flavors. For the dressing, consider using ginger, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, and a little lime juice. If you want the salad’s taste to be bolder, you can refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
Seaweed Salad
Your salmon will pair incredibly well with this salad, which is delicious and pretty easy to make. With its mineral and vitamin richness, it ensures that your meal is balanced. Even though the salmon brings a considerable amount of protein to the table, you can also think about adding some silken tofu for the same.
Wild Rice Pilaf
Make some delicious wild rice pilaf to serve with your salmon. The dish originated from India. Because the rice and the grain will cook at different times, you can prepare them separately to get the best taste of each. To achieve an extra fluffiness, you can rinse the rice before sautéing. It also gets rid of excess starch.
Citrus Olive Couscous
This recipe will be tastier to have with salmon. To bring out a refreshingly sharp flavor, consider using some green marinated olives. Add enough salt and pepper to taste, and if you want a fragrant aroma, you can also include lemon thyme leaves. Remember that this dish needs fresh orange juice to contrast with the salty taste of the olives.
Simple Swiss Chard Pasta
Pasta enthusiasts can consider making this side dish, which only takes 20 minutes to make, for eating with salmon. The Swiss chard adds crunch to the recipe, and you can sauté it using canned tomatoes. For more flavor, use chopped walnuts or pine nuts and pecorino; but they are optional.
Warm Vegetable Curry
Vegetable curry, which is warm and has a variety of spices like cumin, cinnamon, and fennel seeds, will be a delicious side dish for salmon. It will take 30 or fewer minutes to make it. If you want to enjoy it maximally, make sure that you don’t let it go cold before you serve it.
Marinated white beans
This is a great replacement for a raw vegetable side dish with vinegar dressing and herbs. Do not hesitate to add garlic, fresh herbs and soak them in shallot-infused olive oil. If you want the beans to be better, consider cooking them one or two days ahead.
Having salmon is beneficial to your health because it is rich in minerals and proteins. To relish the fish more, think about getting side dishes for it. There are many choices that you can go for as long as you like them. These include salads, rice, slaws, and potatoes. As you choose them, confirm that they help you meal to be more balanced.
