25 Salmon Recipes That Make Great Use of the King of Fish

By Victoria Spencer
Updated May 27, 2020
Con Poulos

There are many good reasons why salmon is such a popular fish. Try steaming, roasting, poaching, and grilling salmon with these recipes that show how versatile and delicious this healthy, sustainable protein is.

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Jonathan Lovekin

Its rich flavor, beautiful red-orange flesh, and high levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, are just some of the reasons why salmon is the most popular fish in the U.S. Wild-caught salmon is the best-tasting and most environmentally friendly choice. We're fans of Alaskan salmon, which is wild-caught then flash frozen and widely available in grocery stores and at fish markets. When you see fresh, not frozen, wild salmon for sale, it is usually fish that has been thawed.

Salmon is super simple to cook and so versatile, as you'll see from this collection of recipes. You can use it in everything from hearty chowders to homemade sushi, and when either is made with baked—not raw fish—either is a family-friendly recipe that can be easily added to your weeknight dinner rotation. Our Roasted Salmon and Spring Onions with Mint-Caper Pesto, pictured here, is an impressive, delicious place to start. For easier prep and cleaning, we also have one-pan salmon dinners like Wild Salmon and Romanesco Pilaf. And salmon is sublime for entertaining, whether cured for a stunning party appetizer like Juniper-and-Gin Gravlax or roasted with dill and beets for a most spectacular entrée.

If you're already a salmon fan but tend to always cook this king of fish the same way, our recipes will inspire you to bake salmon in a parchment parcel, poach it on the stovetop, or turn it into the most delicious fish cakes. Let salmon be the star of salad entrées like Salmon Niçoise with Caper Dressing, or try salmon in our spicy coconut curry. You can even take it to the grill (or grill pan) with recipes like a weeknight Grilled Salmon with Rye Panzanella and or Crisp Grilled Salmon with Fennel and Olive Relish where a whole side of salmon is grilled for a dramatic but foolproof dinner party centerpiece.

Whatever the occasion, let these salmon recipes guide your cooking—you'll soon see that the king of fish deserves a spot in weeknight dinners with the family and larger dinner parties alike.

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Wild Salmon, Asparagus, and Shiitakes in Parchment

Raymond Hom
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By baking the salmon and vegetables in parchment paper, you're steaming them in their own juices. This preserves nutrients, requires little added fat, and makes for a delicious entrée.

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Salmon with Fennel, Bell Pepper, and Olives

Johnny Miller
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Fishing for a new salmon recipe? This easy one-pan dinner shines with Mediterranean flavors. You can eat the cooked oranges (peel and all) or squeeze the juice over the fish.

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Salmon Nicoise with Caper Dressing

Bryan Gardner
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Here's a 40-minute dinner that's an unconventional but delicious take on the classic salade niçoise. It's more colorful than usual thanks to the salmon and more piquant thanks to the zesty caper dressing.

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Grapefruit, Salmon, and Avocado Salad

Romulo Yanes
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This satisfying salad combines crisp greens, such as watercress or sunflower shoots, with juicy citrus, rich avocado, and silky salmon. Plus, it has three sources of heart-healthy fat.

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Wild Salmon and Romanesco Pilaf

Con Poulos
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We love this colorful and easy one-pan dinner of salmon fillets, tender florets of romanesco, and rice pilaf. All cook together in a skillet on the stovetop. Finished with lemon, cilantro, and dill, it's a restaurant-worthy dinner you'll enjoy eating time and time again.

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Salmon with Cucumber-Radish Relish

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A whole roasted side of salmon makes an elegant presentation at the table. The accompanying radish-and-cucumber relish has a pleasant bite of horseradish.

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Baked Salmon Sushi

Joanna Garcia
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There's no raw fish in these easy sushi rolls—just succulent, perfectly cooked salmon. The recipe calls for roasting a piece of fish for the sushi but feel free to use leftover cooked salmon when you try this family-friendly sushi recipe. Never made your own rolls at home? Consult our food editors tips for rolling sushi before you start—it's easier than you think!

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Salmon-and-Corn Chowder

Armando Rafael
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Creamy and hearty, packed with potatoes, chunks of salmon fillet, and fresh summer corn, this bowl of chowder tastes like summer.

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Crunchy Panko Salmon

Justin Walker
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Make-ahead and freezable, there's a lot to like about these panko-crusted salmon filets. The crispy coating may well tempt even those not usually keen on fish. Plus, when you need dinner extra fast, you can bake them straight from frozen.

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Poached Salmon with Grapefruit Olive Oil Hollandaise Sauce

Romulo Yanes
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Poaching salmon helps it retain its pleasing pink tone, since the low steady temperature of the simmering liquid prevents the albumen (that white film) from extruding to the surface. Here the fish is poached with fennel and red onion and served with a healthy take on hollandaise.

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Salmon Salad with Parsley and Capers

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Toss poached salmon with red onion and lots of fresh parsley in a vinaigrette of capers, olive oil, and red-wine vinegar. Serve this salad with crusty bread, or combine with cooked, cooled penne for an out-of-the-ordinary pasta salad.

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Grilled Salmon Steaks with Mustard Sauce and Asparagus

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Serve grilled salmon steaks and asparagus with a sweet and tangy sauce made from Dijon mustard, sugar, and white-wine vinegar. Use leftover asparagus as a side dish for your next dinner; the vegetable will keep in the refrigerator for up to two days.

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Beet-and-Dill-Roasted Wild Salmon

Anson Smart
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A spectacular one-dish party entrée, the fish is roasted in the same dish as the crispy potatoes nestled underneath. Its jewel-like color comes from the marinade of grated beets, fresh dill, horseradish, and lemon zest which also gives the salmon deep flavor.

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Nobu's Crispy-Skinned Salmon with Daikon and Soy

Raymond Hom
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A squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of soy sauce over grated daikon radish are the only enhancements you'll need for Chef Nobu's perfectly cooked salmon fillet.

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Miso Salmon with Asparagus and Carrots

Ren Fuller
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Steamed salmon stars in this healthy supper along with lemony couscous.

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Spicy Coconut-Salmon Curry

Marcus Nilsson
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Simple, spicy, and delicious, if sautéed salmon is your go to, give this lively preparation a try. It's easy to make. Start with frozen salmon, then add them straight into the creamy, spicy coconut milk curry.

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Grilled Salmon with Rye Panzanella

Armando Rafael
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Thanks to the slightly Scandinavian flavor, this dinner of grilled salmon filets feels just a little different. The Panzanella salad is made with rye bread, cucumbers, and fennel—it's not the usual Italian bread and tomatoes, but it's certainly delicious.

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Roasted Salmon with White-Wine Sauce

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A light white-wine-and-chive sauce makes roasted salmon especially moist. Serve with sautéed mushrooms and steamed potatoes.

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Pan-Fried Salmon Cakes

Marcus Nilsson
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Forget traditional breadcrumbs—the salty flavor of ground-up pretzels brings these canned-salmon patties to life. Dill and scallions brighten every bite.

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Broiled Sweet-and-Spicy Salmon with Pineapple

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A little cayenne added to maple syrup creates a luscious glaze for broiled salmon and pineapple chunks. Fluff hot rice with cilantro leaves and you're done.

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Juniper-and-Gin Gravlax

Justin Walker
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Just the thing for a holiday party, a cured side of salmon is impressive, delicious, and not difficult to make. Best of all, it's a make-ahead dish that leaves you time for other things on the day of the party.

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Roasted Salmon with Herbed Yogurt

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A mixture of creamy Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, dill, and parsley adds zing and keeps this salmon wonderfully moist while it roasts. This easy, elegant dinner takes only five minutes to assemble and another 20 minutes to cook.

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Salmon Salad with Celery and Walnuts

Sidney Bensimon
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A tasty way to turn last night's leftover salmon into today's lunch. There's no mayo here, this salmon salad is made with a creamy-crunchy mixture of cottage cheese, raisins, celery, and walnuts.

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Salmon with Wasabi Sauce and Baby Bok Choy

José Manuel Picayo Rivera
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Cilantro, wasabi paste, lime juice, ginger, and light mayonnaise combine to make a delightful sauce for pan-seared salmon fillets. Serve with bok choy sautéed in mirin and soy sauce.

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