25 Easy Salmon Recipes - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

I absolutely love salmon because it’s quick and easy to cook, totally delicious, and packed with health benefits. These easy Salmon Recipes are my favorite way to add this seafood favorite into my regular diet–proof that making a healthy meal can be simple! Plus I’ve gathered some side dishes to serve along with this list of salmon recipes for the ultimate lunch or dinner!

Truly Easy Salmon Recipes

Salmon is one of my favorite things to cook for dinner when looking for recipes that are quick, easy, healthy, and tasty! I’m always amazed by how fast this seafood staple cooks, so it’s great for last-minute meals and weeknight dinners. Plus it’s packed with nutrition, which makes me feel good about eating it so often.

All it takes to make these easy salmon recipes is whipping up a simple glaze or sauce, adding a few herbs and spices, and letting it cook. I like to serve these salmon dishes with rice, pasta, veggies, or really any of my favorite sides. It’s so simple, and if you can believe it, the kids love it too!

These are my favorite salmon dinner ideas, and I hope you’ll love them too. Choose from sheet pan dinners, grilled fish, and all kinds of salmon and veggie recipes. Bookmark these easy recipe ideas for weeknight meals, meal prep lunches, or special dinners that will wow your guests.

Healthy Salmon Dinner Recipes

Salmon is always a great idea for dinner if you’re looking for something healthy. It’s lean and filled with nutrients, so it’s easy to make a well-balanced meal with these salmon dishes at the center. The USDA actually recommends eating salmon or seafood 2-3 times a week for heart health, so you know it’s good!

• Sheet Pan Lemon Salmon: This quick meal idea comes together in about 30 minutes, and includes salmon and asparagus roasted in one pan. It’s a well-balanced dinner, and I love it for meal prep.
• Air Fryer Salmon: I can’t believe how quick and easy it is to make crispy salmon with my Air Fryer. And this seasoning mix makes for a really simple, tasty, and healthy recipe that you can serve with rice and veggies.
• Tequila Lime Salmon Salad: This is my go-to when I need a healthy lunch. This salad is filled with avocado, lettuce, beans, corn and more, then topped with marinated salmon and tequila lime vinaigrette.
• Air Fryer Miso Salmon: Flakey fish is cooked fast in the Air Fryer, along with fresh veggies, all coated in a tasty Japanese-inspired sauce. Serve salmon with rice to finish the meal!
• Salmon Burgers: Add a healthy (but still delicious) option to burger night! This unique and interesting salmon dinner recipe will give you a whole new way to enjoy seafood.

Grilled Salmon Recipes

With summer in the air and grilling season in on the way, these healthy grilled salmon ideas are the perfect thing to make for dinner right now.

• Grilled Salmon: This simple, quick, and healthy salmon recipe is about to be your go-to! The herb-filled, savory and citrus-y marinade creates the best flavor, and it cooks on the grill in 10 minutes.
• Garlic Butter Salmon: The garlic lemon butter gives the salmon such a simple but delectable flavor, and it pairs perfectly with lemon butter asparagus!
• Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa: This Whole30 approved recipe is so quick to put together, and it’s absolutely tasty. I’m obsessed with the avocado salsa!

Salmon Sheet Pan Recipes

I love a good sheet pan meal, and these make it quick and easy way to get dinner on the table! Just combine flakey salmon with fresh vegetables, tasty glazes, and pop it in the oven. Done!

• Baked Salmon and Asparagus: The hoisin glaze adds so much flavor and it’s already paired with asparagus–a full salmon dinner, all baked in one pan!
• Maple Glazed Salmon and Potatoes: Salmon is covered in a sweet and tangy maple mustard glaze, and cooked along with the yummiest garlic potatoes.
• Honey Mustard Salmon and Potatoes: This easy salmon dinner idea is made with potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes for a veggie-filled meal!
• Herb Crusted Salmon with Goat Cheese Polenta: This baked salmon is so good, with a side of cheesy polenta and roasted tomatoes. It’s such an easy dinner recipe, with no lack of flavor!

Quick Salmon Ideas

Since fish cooks fast, you’ll never be in the kitchen long when you’re making salmon for dinner. These meal ideas are all so quick to make!

• Lemon Butter Salmon in Parchment: Salmon, asparagus, onions, lemon, and thyme are covered in a lemon butter sauce, and oven-baked wrapped in parchment paper. Yup, it’s a whole meal in one. And I love how tender and buttery the salmon gets!
• Miso Salmon: The salty and savory flavors of this miso glaze creates a delicious salmon dish that’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Baked Pesto Salmon: This basil walnut pesto is the perfect topping for flaky fish. It’s a simple recipe but it’s so flavorful! I always serve it with pasta.
• Pan Seared Salmon: Pan-searing is a quick and simple way to cook salmon filets for any meal. For this recipe, I added buttery garlic capers for extra flavor!
• Orange Glazed Salmon: The zesty, sweet, and savory orange glaze adds a kick of flavor, and like most salmon recipes, this dish is ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Air Fryer Cilantro Lime Salmon: The cilantro lime flavor is so delicious, and it’s ready in 25 minutes. This is an easy idea for any lunch or dinner.

Flavor-packed Salmon Meals

These salmon dinner recipes are filled with flavor! Salmon isn’t boring when it’s so well-seasoned, cooked in delicious sauces, and served with your favorite side dishes.

• Salmon Piccata: The super creamy, tangy, garlic-y sauce makes this recipe absolutely delectable! Serve it with pasta or veggies.
• Caprese Stuffed Salmon: This salmon is literally filled with flavor! Mozzarella and tomatoes are stuffed right into the salmon, then it’s baked to perfection. Plus, the balsamic roasted tomatoes pair nicely on the side.
• Brown Sugar Salmon: The sweet and savory bourbon glaze is mouthwateringly delicious, and I just can’t get enough of this incredible flavor. And pecans add a crunchy texture that dresses up this simple salmon recipe.
• Honey Garlic Salmon and Asparagus: This is one of my all-time favorite salmon dinner ideas. The addition of asparagus and a tasty honey garlic sauce is just so delicious.
• Tuscan Salmon: Flakey fish and a creamy sauce with tomatoes, all cooked in one pan? It’s the most delicious Italian seafood dish for weeknight dinners!
• Blackened Salmon: My fave blackened seasoning is a mix of spicy and savory flavors, and it coats the fish in a crispy, delicious texture.
• White Wine Dijon Salmon: Coated in a crispy garlic Parmesan crust and covered in a white wine dijon sauce, I especially love this recipe for special occasions and dinner guests!

What to Serve with Salmon for Dinner

For healthy salmon dinner ideas, I like to serve it with some combination of grains and vegetables. A baked or grilled salmon fillet served over white or brown rice (like this Instant Pot basmati rice), along with broccoli or asparagus is a delicious and simple meal.

But one of the best things about salmon is that it can easily be served with all kinds of veggies, side dishes, pastas, salads, and more. It goes well with grilled veggies, vegetable stir fry, roasted baby potatoes, or cucumber tomato salad.

Now that you’ve got all these delicious salmon dinner ideas to choose from, you have no excuse not to make a healthy dinner tonight. And with so many tasty and easy salmon recipes, you’ll have meal ideas for weeks!

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