The delicate flavor of salmon is the perfect blank canvas to paint with other textures and ingredients. Whether you crave smoky, fruity, or herbal flavors, we’ve got you covered with these healthy salmon recipes.
From grilled to baked dishes, we’ve rounded up amazing healthy salmon meals we know your family is going to love.
There are decadent sweet glazes and rich sauces, as well as some low-calorie salmon recipes that you can feel great about serving.
Take your pick. You can’t go wrong with these delicious salmon dishes. There’s something here for every taste and every occasion.
You’re going to want to try them all!
1. Healthy Baked Salmon
This is probably the easiest, most straightforward recipe for Healthy Baked Salmon.
It bakes up perfectly flaky and moist, with a delightful lemon and garlic flavor.
The secret ingredient in this recipe is Italian seasoning. You can use Herbs de Provence as well. These herbs bring out the delicate flavor of the fish in a way that other combinations of herbs do not.
Prepare this recipe when you want to serve a healthy salmon dinner to your family or special guests.
It’s a simple and quick dish that always pleases.
2. Classic Lox
This recipe for Classic Lox is a three-day cure for the fish. Authentic Lox is not smoked salmon but cured with a sugar/salt mixture.
Use the fatty part of the salmon for best results, and slice it very thin if you’re serving it on bagels.
This is a bit of an intensive process but totally worth the time and effort you put in for a delicious and authentic flavor. Proudly serve at your next breakfast or brunch, and expect to be asked for the recipe.
3. Blackened Salmon
Butter and blackening spices combine to make this Blackened Salmon recipe a success whenever you serve it. We predict that this will quickly become one of your go-to salmon dishes.
The blackening spices give a bold contrast of flavor against the delicate flakiness of the salmon.
It’s a winning combination that somehow just works.
The trick to this dish is not to overcook the fish. Blackened salmon is not burned or scorched. It’s the milk solids in the butter that blacken it when cooking.
4. Pan-Fried Salmon Fillets
This salmon dinner idea is perfect for summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven. It’s a quick and easy pan-fried dish that’s ready within 20 minutes.
This recipe is perfect for a weekday evening or anytime you want to get a delicious dinner on the table in a hurry.
Butter and olive oil combine to give this pan-fried fish a crispy finish while leaving the inside flaky and tender.
Leftovers work great atop a salad the next day.
5. Super Healthy Salmon Burgers
Ginger, soy, and coriander combine to flavor these Super Healthy Salmon Burgers just perfectly.
The secret ingredient in this recipe is the curry paste. The recipe calls for red, but you can also use green or yellow to substitute.
This gives the salmon burgers a lovely depth of flavor. These burgers fry up crispy and delicious and are surprisingly hearty and sturdy.
Serve the salmon burgers with a fresh-tasting carrot and cucumber salad for a delightful, healthy meal that is unexpectedly delicious.
6. Salmon Patties
Salmon Patties or salmon cakes are a great appetizer or side dish. Not as sturdy as a burger, they are much lighter and more delicately seasoned.
This easy recipe for salmon uses canned fish, not fresh, which is convenient and economical.
Having canned salmon in your pantry means that you can whip up these tasty salmon patties anytime you want a quick and tasty dish.
Served with lemon, herbs, and Greek yoghurt, these salmon cakes are always a favorite no matter when you serve them.
7. Spicy Salmon Bowl
The secret to making this delicious Spicy Salmon Bowl is to marinate your fish, cook your brown rice, and pickle your cucumbers ahead of time so that you can quickly put together the bowl and serve.
This is a great salmon recipe idea for a lunch or summertime meal. The garnishes make a beautiful presentation, and the creaminess of the avocado goes perfectly with the spiciness of the salmon.
Your guests are going to be pleasantly surprised by the fresh taste and flavor of these delicious bowls.
8. One-Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon and Asparagus
When it comes to easy, healthy salmon recipes, this One-Pan Lemon Garlic Baked Salmon and Asparagus dish top the list.
This is the perfect recipe to make when you’ve got to feed a crowd but don’t have a lot of time to prepare ahead of time.
All you need is one large baking sheet, your salmon, lemon, herbs, garlic, asparagus, and other greens, and it all goes into the oven at the same time and comes out perfectly done without overcooking or drying out the salmon.
The result is that you have more time to enjoy your guests and gain a reputation as a wonderful cook as well.
9. BBQ Salmon
This pan-fried salmon recipe is paired with a sweet and savory homemade BBQ sauce and served over pineapple rice.
It may sound complicated, but it comes together within 30 minutes. This is a perfectly healthy dinner for a busy weekday evening or anytime.
Tip: Make your BBQ sauce first, so the flavors have time to combine while you prepare the salmon. Take care not to overcook and dry out the fish, and serve over rice with a side salad for a perfect balance of taste and good nutrition.
10. Coconut Curry Salmon
You might think that curry will overpower the delicate flavor of salmon, but you’d be mistaken.
This Coconut Curry Salmon recipe is just the perfect flavor combination for a delightful main dish.
The secret ingredient in this dish is lime juice. This brightens the flavors and perfectly contrasts with the sweetness of the coconut and the spice of the curry.
You’re going to want to keep this recipe in regular rotation in your kitchen once you get a taste, and no doubt, you’ll be sharing the recipe with family and friends.
11. Salmon Tacos with Slaw
Fish tacos are a great summer meal. They’re light and delicious with all the spice and crunch you crave.
These Salmon Tacos with Slaw are a delightful twist on the whitefish tacos you may be used to serving.
The chipotle spices bring out the flavor of the salmon in a fresh and tasty way.
Salmon is a dense enough fish that can tolerate some spice without fading to the background.
The avocado lime slaw is the perfect contrast to the spice.
The citrus gives brightness and the broccoli, while being a non-traditional slaw ingredient, gives a satisfying crunch.
12. Asian Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner
Garlic, ginger, and soy combine to make this Asian Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner one of the easiest and most delicious healthy salmon dinners. Paired with broccoli and carrots all drenched with the marinade/sauce and you’ve got a one-pan meal that’s hard to beat.
Tip: Cut your broccoli and carrot into small pieces so that your salmon and veggies come out of the oven cooked to perfection.
Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds and serve on a bed of rice (optional).
This dish can be scaled up or down depending upon how many people you’re feeding. Leftovers work great over a salad the next day.
13. Honey Garlic Salmon
This Honey Garlic Salmon is an Asian-inspired recipe using honey, garlic, and soy to create a flavorful glaze that pairs perfectly with the taste of the salmon.
This is a dish that cooks up in a hurry and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or anytime
you want something quick and easy that tastes like you worked for hours. Simply pan-sear the fish and cover with the glaze. It’s really as easy as that!
Pair with steamed or roasted vegetables or serve with rice for a balanced array of flavors that everyone will love.
14. Salmon Chowder
Salmon and dill are a flavor combination made in culinary heaven. This Salmon Chowder is no exception. The delicate flavor of the fish is enhanced by the addition of the herbs for a delicious result.
This soup is perfect for a side or a main dish, especially on a cold day.
The secret ingredient in this dish is instant mashed potatoes. These are used to thicken the chowder and eliminate the need for heavy cream, giving the soup a thick and velvety texture.
You can substitute tarragon for the dill for a different herbal boost of flavor in this delicious chowder.
Serve with crackers or crusty bread.
15. Creamy Tuscan Salmon
This Creamy Tuscan Salmon tastes decadent, but in reality, it is a healthy salmon recipe that is a delightfully simple one-pan dish.
It tastes like you spent hours, but you can put this together in a few easy steps.
The secret ingredient in this dish is the cream sauce. It’s dairy-free, using coconut cream instead of heavy dairy cream. The Italian seasonings, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes give this dish an amazing depth of flavor.
This cooks up perfectly and makes a beautiful presentation. We’re certain you’ll be putting this recipe on repeat in your kitchen from now on.
16. Baked Teriyaki Salmon
This Baked Teriyaki Salmon recipe uses the foil baking method to perfectly cook the salmon and teriyaki glaze.
This works both in your oven or on your BBQ grill with excellent results.
To finish this salmon to perfection, open the foil and place it under the broiler to caramelize the sauce and give the salmon a crispy outside without drying the inside
Serve over rice or pair with steamed or grilled vegetables for a delightfully tasty and balanced meal that everyone will love.
17. Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Salmon
This recipe for Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Salmon works both outdoors or in. Fire up your BBQ grill for a tasty and quick summer meal that the entire family will love.
Or, use your indoor grill with the same result.
The trick to making this perfectly grilled salmon fillet is to cut the fish into serving pieces before grilling.
Season with your favorite herbal blend and some salt and pepper.
Serve with lemon wedges and side dishes of green salad, steamed or grilled vegetables, or rice for a delicious, quick, and healthy salmon meal.
18. Creamy Salmon Pasta
You can’t go wrong with Creamy Salmon Pasta. The garlic cream sauce is the perfect contrast to the delicate flavor of the salmon.
You can use penne, rigatoni, or your favorite pasta. Substitute veggie pasta or whole-grain for a healthier option.
Pan fry your salmon, then combine with the pasta, spinach, and sundried tomatoes in the cream sauce for a delightful one-bowl meal that’s sure to be a hit at your table.
This is a perfect weeknight meal that’s ready in a hurry but tastes like you spent hours preparing.
19. Slow Cooker Salmon with Creamy Lemon Sauce
This Slow Cooker Salmon with Creamy Lemon Sauce is the perfect recipe for busy moms on the go. You can set this up and start it in the slow cooker, then go run around and pick up kids, etc.
It will be ready when you return in a couple of hours.
Simply put together the creamy lemon sauce and a small side salad, and you’ve got a delightful meal ready in a hurry.
This easy salmon dinner idea is sure to become a favorite at your table.
Great for weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time.
20. Grilled Salmon with Avocado
Grilled Salmon is great on its own, but when you pair it with amazing avocado salsa, you elevate it to a brand new level.
This Grilled Salmon with Avocado does just that. Start with the spice rub, then grill your fish to perfection.
Grilling gives a crisp texture on the outside while keeping the inside tender and moist.
Top your grilled salmon with this amazing avocado salsa for a healthy, whole30 compliant dish that looks and tastes like it came off of a restaurant menu.
No one needs to know how simple and easy it really is to make.
21. Salmon Burgers
This recipe for Salmon Burgers is one of our favorite salmon recipes because it does away with the breadcrumb and egg that is the basis for most salmon burger recipes.
Using only the fish, seasonings, and a bit of Greek yoghurt, these burgers hold together just fine and cook up light and flavorful.
This recipe is a far more healthy alternative to the traditional salmon burger.
Give it a try with some herbed Greek yoghurt for a tasty and delicious salmon burger meal.
22. Skillet Salmon Potato Hash
This Skillet Salmon Potato Hash recipe works for brunch with eggs or anytime. It’s the perfect combination of flavors with salmon as the protein component.
Fresh vegetables, including fresh garlic, are the key ingredients in this recipe.
All the flavors just pop when browned together with the potatoes in the hash. The trick to this recipe is to dice, then par-boil your potatoes, so they fry up quickly in your hot skillet.
You can substitute your bell pepper for mild green chilis for another layer of spice and flavor.
This recipe is bound to become a favorite at your table.
23. Salmon Egg Fried Rice
Salmon works well in just about any setting, and it’s absolutely perfect in this Salmon Egg Fried Rice. Use pre-cooked brown rice for best results.
The soy-ginger sauce with garlic and wine vinegar makes the perfect sauce for this dish.
The salmon cooks up with that bit of crispy glaze on it, and the addition of the creaminess of the egg in this recipe makes it a perfect Asian-inspired one-bowl meal that is sure to become a family favorite.
You can substitute seasoned rice vinegar for the wine vinegar, but be sure to adjust your other seasonings accordingly so that the flavors don’t overpower the taste of the salmon.
24. Grilled Salmon
Salmon goes with everything, and fruit is always a wonderful contrast to the delicate flavor of grilled salmon.
This recipe for Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice gives multiple layers of flavors that are always a crowd-pleaser.
Mango Salsa made from scratch is both sweet and savory and a perfect addition to this dish. You can substitute jar salsa, but fresh is always best if you can make it.
Finally, the coconut rice has a sweet and nutty delicate flavor that is the perfect base for this dish.
You can’t go wrong with this combination of tastes and textures.
25. One-Pan Lemon Herb Salmon and Vegetables
Make a delightfully good and colorful presentation with this One-pan Lemon Herb Salmon and Vegetables.
Break out your trusty sheet pan and get ready to dazzle your guests.
This recipe can be scaled up or down depending upon how many people you’re feeding or if you want leftovers for the next day, and who wouldn’t?
Tip: Cut your vegetables into similarly-sized pieces so that both your salmon fillets and your vegetables come out of the oven cooked to perfection.
Substitute vegetables in season for a variety of flavors and textures. You can’t go wrong with this classic baking dish.
26. Salmon Steak
Salmon Steaks are a thicker and heartier cut of fish and make a great main course when pan-fried in a heavy skillet.
This recipe shows how to cook your salmon steak to perfection in about 10 minutes.
Using nothing more than the usual seasonings, butter, olive oil, garlic, and lemon, you can cook up an amazing salmon steak.
The secret ingredient in this recipe is the red pepper flake. Increase or decrease for a bit of spicy kick to the flavor.
Serve with rice and grilled or steamed vegetables for a delightful meal anytime.
27. Pineapple Salmon with Pineapple Avocado Salsa
Give your salmon dinner a tropical twist with this Pineapple Salmon recipe. The Pineapple Avocado Salsa is the perfect topping for your salmon fillet.
The combination of flavors in this recipe is sure to be a favorite at your table.
Start with the pineapple glaze that gives a sticky sweetness to the fish, then finish with avocado and pineapple salsa with a savory-sweet and spicy bite.
The secret ingredient in this recipe is the cayenne pepper. Experiment with this to find the perfect balance of sweet and spicy that your family will love.
28. Smoked Salmon Pasta
This Smoked Salmon Pasta dish is a tasty and quick salmon recipe that works with both smoked, canned, and fresh salmon.
The creamy sauce is made with creme fraiche and a touch of parmesan cheese. It makes a perfect sauce for pasta and fish.
Boil your broccoli and pasta together to save time. You can use any kind of thick pasta such as fettuccine or linguine for best results.
You can also substitute spinach or other greens for the arugula.
Try this with a variety of pasta and greens with your salmon to change it up and keep it fun.
29. Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce
These Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce are a perfect appetizer or contribution to a game day get-together or potluck.
They’re made without eggs or breadcrumbs and baked, not fried, so they’re healthy and delicious.
The creamy avocado sauce is the perfect dip for these tasty meatballs.
The addition of chipotle seasoning gives the sauce a spicy kick which is the perfect contrast to the creaminess of the avocado.
Serve these salmon meatballs anytime you want a tasty appetizer or side dish that’s healthy, delicious, and full of good nutrition.
You’re sure to come home with an empty dish and requests for the recipe.
30. Baked Salmon in Foil
There are probably as many ways to make Baked Salmon in Foil as you can imagine. The basic ingredients are the same.
Salmon (of course), lemon, some kind of herb or combination of herbs, olive oil or butter (or a combination of both), and fresh garlic.
If you don’t want the foil to touch your food, you can line the foil with parchment paper. Brush your salmon with a combination of olive oil and butter, or use one exclusively.
Top with lemon slices and fresh herbs. Sprigs of rosemary or dill are recommended.
Season with salt, pepper, and chopped garlic. Seal the packet, then bake to perfection.
30 Easy Healthy Salmon Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 salmon fillet 2 pounds
- 2 tbsps butter softened
- 1/4 c white wine
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 F.
- Grease a 13x 9-inch baking dish.
- Pat your salmon and fillets dry with a paper towel.
- Place in a greased baking pan and brush with melted butter.
- Combine broth, lemon juice, tarragon, and black pepper and pour over the salmon.
- Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork.