25 Delicious and Healthy Salmon Recipes That Make Eating Better So Easy
In addition to being rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, salmon is also a great source of protein.
Versatile and healthy, there's a lot to like about salmon, which is why this fish has inspired us to create so many delicious recipes for family-friendly weeknight meals. If you're on the hunt for more healthy—but never boring!—salmon entrées to feed your family, you're in luck. Here, you'll find some of our very best healthy salmon recipes, including baked, broiled, pan-seared, sautéed, and steamed options.
What makes this beloved fish such a great option at dinnertime? Salmon is packed with omega-3s, selenium, and vitamins A and D. This fatty fish has 26 grams of protein per every 4-ounce serving, which can help you fill up, curb cravings, and stay satisfied. Then there is that color: The brilliant pink hue of a piece of salmon on your plate is so appetizing (after all, you eat with your eyes first!) and sets off any vibrant green vegetables you choose to pair it with. What's more, salmon's rich, full flavor stands up to bold ingredients—or it can hold its own when used in simpler preparations. There's no need for creamy sauces or cheesy toppings. Salmon simply has a lot going for it.
Small fillets are the cuts we use most, since they (along with salmon steaks) cook quickly—another reason why they're the ultimate weeknight main or less-stress entrée for entertaining. Try them in sheet-pan suppers, in a hearty stew, or as the star in salads, which are heavily featured in our recipe collection.
Related: 29 Healthy and Delicious Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
Slow-Baked Citrus Salmon With Carrots
Stunning, delicious, and nutritious, this is a must-make entrée. Don't let the "slow" part of this dish put you off; it only takes 10 minutes of prep and 40 minutes total.
Steamed Salmon and Vegetables
Healthy and quick, this one-pot dinner calls for steaming sliced sweet potatoes and broccolini, then adding salmon filets to the steamer. In the few minutes they take to cook, whip up a miso vinaigrette to drizzle over everything.
Healthy Salmon Patty Wraps
Use canned salmon for this tasty take on the fish burger. Add capers and mustard for some lively seasoning, and then wrap them in tender chard leaves rather than a bun.
Curried Lentil-Salmon Salad
Not only is this superfood dinner salad healthy, it comes together fast. It takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Wild Salmon With Edamame-Cauliflower Rice
Here's how to incorporate more vegetables into your dinner: Turn the cauliflower into rice, then add edamame to the mix. By the time you bring in the heart-healthy wild salmon, it's an all-around winner on the good-for-you meal front. Bonus: This is a one-sheet pan dinner, which means the oven does all the work. The rice comes out deliciously crispy and cleanup is kept to a minimum. If that's not appealing, we don't know what is.
Smoky Salmon-and-Potato Stew
Two pantry staples—bottled clam juice and canned tomatoes—make an unbelievably delicious broth for potatoes and salmon when simmered with fresh fennel, celery, and garlic.
Slow-Baked Salmon and Cherry Tomatoes
A low oven temperature means tender, perfectly cooked salmon every single time. A simple accompaniment of cherry tomatoes, garlic, and basil is all you need to make the dish sing.
Crisp Grilled Salmon With Fennel-Olive Relish
A quick sauce made of fennel, green olives, red onion, parsley, lemon juice, and chile de arbol gives this flame-kissed salmon a serious flavor punch.
Wild Salmon, Asparagus, and Shiitakes in Parchment
When cooked in parchment, salmon steams in its own juices—it's a neat and healthy way to cook. In this recipe, asparagus and shiitake mushrooms imbue the salmon with their flavors as well.
Baked Salmon Sushi
Yes, you can make sushi at home! This family-friendly version used baked salmon to delicious results.
Grilled Salmon Salad
Fresh sugar-snap peas are excellent partners for rich grilled salmon in this delectable main-course salad.
Grapefruit, Salmon, and Avocado Salad
Salmon's bright pink hue matches perfectly with slices of fresh grapefruit—both in terms of flavor and color! Creamy avocado softens this lively, flavorful salad.
Roasted Salmon With Kale and Cabbage
Make (okay, bake) this healthy salmon, kale, and cabbage dinner in just 30 minutes. Bonus: It's all made on one sheet pan, meaning less cleanup.
Brown Rice With Salmon, Avocado, and Toasted Nori
Think of this as deconstructed sushi. Cook the salmon (different from sushi, we know!), toast the nori, and toss all the elements in a bowl. Eating healthy never tasted so good or looked so beautiful.
Salmon and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce
Cook salmon fillets in a zesty tomato sauce for a light meal that tastes like pure comfort.
Soy-Sesame Salmon
Soy sauce, honey, orange juice, sesame oil, and ginger make a terrific teriyaki-like marinade and glaze for fresh salmon fillets. Serve with udon noodles and steamed bok choy.
Salmon and Vegetable Stew With Harissa
Canned chickpeas add heft to this harissa-spiked fish-and-vegetable stew. Serve over couscous, letting it soak up the addictive broth.
Salmon Nicoise With Caper Dressing
This magnificent dinner salad will brighten up your week. Make it and taste how the salmon pairs beautifully with creamy potatoes, briny olives, and tender green beans.
Salmon With Fennel, Bell Pepper, and Olives
From bright yellow bell pepper to soft green fennel fronds, this meal will add a burst of color to your dinner table. What's more, it can all be assembled in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Wild Salmon and Romanesco Pilaf
While salmon is the star of this healthy meal, the almond-studded basmati rice and tender florets of romanesco will keep you going back for seconds. The entire dish is brightened with a mix of fresh lemon, dill, and cilantro.
Salmon With Cucumber-Radish Relish
Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you're craving something light. Salmon is drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper before being baked in the oven until it's just cooked through. Serve with a our cucumber, radish, and scallion relish for the perfect crunchy finish.
Yuzu-Glazed Salmon
It's worth seeking out yuzu, an East Asian citrus fruit that tastes like a cross between a lemon and a grapefruit, for this simple salmon supper. The juice makes a spectacular glaze when paired with miso, soy sauce, and maple syrup.
Easy Skillet-Poached Salmon
Poaching is a healthy cooking technique since it requires no fats. Try poaching a piece of salmon with herbs, lemon, and aromatics as this recipe does, then serve it hot or cold, perhaps with Miso Aioli or Gingery Tomato-Basil Sauce on the side.
Salmon Salad With Parsley and Capers
Like many foods, salmon is often best when served simply. Poach it to perfection, then serve with plenty of parsley and capers.
Salmon and Citrus Rice Bowl
Colorful, crunchy, and totally delicious, that's this rice bowl. The salmon is marinated in navel orange juice and spices, then broiled and served atop brown rice with orange slices, sugar snap peas, and mint.
