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These 11 easy salmon recipes for dinner are inspired by bold flavors and simple techniques, made for busy weeknights and casual entertaining. Bring these out for any occasion, whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or planning a laid-back Friday night meal. From baked salmon to grilled fillets to salmon tacos and hearty pasta, these recipes will cover you from start to finish.
why salmon for dinner?
Salmon recipes for dinner are always a good idea, and when they use bright flavors like lemon, ginger, sriracha, and fresh herbs, you can count me in for any weeknight or gathering.
This round-up is full of easy, crowd-pleasing salmon dinner recipes that bring the party to life. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, meal prepping for the week, or hosting friends on the patio, having a go-to lineup of flavorful salmon recipes makes weeknight dinners so much easier.
And this goes way beyond basic baked salmon and getting your protein in. We’ve gathered up sriracha-glazed fillets, honey ginger salmon bites, salmon cake sliders, creamy salmon pasta, salmon tacos with grapefruit avocado salsa, hearty chowder, and rice bowls loaded with fresh flavor.
With 11 recipes to choose from, there’s something for every craving from bright and citrusy to sweet and spicy. Many can be made in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
our favorite salmon recipes for dinner
Honey Sesame Ginger Salmon Bites Recipe
Craving an Asian-inspired recipe for salmon bites? Marinated in honey sesame ginger sauce and cooked using your preferred method – air fryer, oven, or stovetop for the perfect weeknight dinner. Serve them in a bowl or as a salmon salad. Perfect for meal prep!
Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta Recipe
Creamy Lemon Salmon Pasta combines flaky, seasoned salmon and wilted greens with a rich creamy sauce. Quick and easy, this recipe is packed with flavor and ready to be served any night of the week.
Salmon Chowder
Salmon Chowder is a recipe that is near and dear to my heart. The creamy chowder base, the hearty salmon and potatoes and the fresh hint of dill are flavors that I look forward to every Christmas Eve. This is my take on my grandmother’s favorite recipe, and I hope it becomes a family tradition of your own this year!
Baked Lemon Garlic Salmon
Baked in foil, this Lemon Garlic Salmon is the simplest preparation ever! With lots of citrus and savory garlic, it makes for a tasty sheet pan salmon dinner any night of the week. Serve with your favorite side dish like spinach, noodles, broccoli, quinoa, or veggies.
Salmon Lemon Risotto with Asparagus
Salmon Lemon Risotto with Asparagus is my go-to salmon recipe. It’s fancy enough that you could absolutely serve it at a dinner party, but simple enough for when you just want something that tastes really good. Fresh salmon gets baked with lemon and butter, then folded into creamy risotto with roasted asparagus and parmesan. The whole thing comes together in about 45 minutes!
Sriracha Glazed Salmon with Asian Avocado Salsa
This sriracha glazed salmon is sweet, spicy, and topped with a fresh Asian avocado salsa. The sticky sriracha glaze caramelizes on the salmon filets as it cooks for the perfect balance of heat and sweetness in every bite. Ready in about 25 minutes for weeknight dinners that feel way more impressive than the effort.
Sesame Salmon Avocado Bowls
Need something to chow down on that won’t kill your waistline before summer? Sesame Salmon Avocado Bowls are your rich, hearty and oh-so fresh answer! The leftovers are delicious too and the taste is super fresh. Top with your favorite sauces like soy sauce or teriyaki sauce.
Salmon Cake Sliders with Spicy Mayo
Salmon Cake Sliders with Spicy Mayo are a crispy, spicy and flavorful appetizer that’s easy to make and will really wow a crowd. It’s a high protein mini version of burgers with all the best flavor. Once of our best salmon recipes.
Salmon Sandwich with Creamy Dill Sauce
Looking for a tasty and healthy meal to enjoy during the warm summer months? Try a mouth-watering salmon sandwich! From fresh rich salmon fillets to a creamy dill sauce and fresh greens, this is the ultimate summer sandwich that will satisfy your cravings and leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Salmon Tacos with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa
These salmon tacos with grapefruit avocado salsa are the taco upgrade you didn’t know you needed. Flaky salmon in warm tortillas topped with a bright, tangy grapefruit avocado salsa that’s sweet, citrusy, and zippy. Ready in about 30 minutes and perfect for Taco Tuesday or casual dinners.
Kitchen Favorites
For pulling together salmon dinner recipes, a few key pieces of equipment make everything easier. Here are my go-to tools.
A sharp chef’s knife is essential for portioning salmon fillets, slicing vegetables, and prepping herbs.
A half sheet baking pan is a must for baked salmon recipes. Look for a heavy-duty baking sheet pan that heats evenly and won’t warp at high temperatures. Line it with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
A cast iron skillet is perfect for searing salmon skin-side down until crispy. Nothing else gets the same golden crust and even heat distribution.
A grill or grill pan is essential for grilled salmon recipes. Whether you have a gas grill, charcoal grill, or stovetop grill pan, they all work great for adding smoky char to fillets.
A microplane zester is perfect for adding fresh lemon or lime zest to salmon recipes.
A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking salmon perfectly. Aim for 125°F for medium-rare or 145°F for well-done at the thickest part of the fillet.
Just One More Thing!
Let’s talk sides to pair with these salmon dinner recipes. Here are some recipes that go great with the salmon dinners in this round-up:
Summer Lemon Pasta Salad: A bright, lemony pasta salad that pairs beautifully with grilled and baked salmon. It’s one of my favorite ways to make a cool side dish.
Cucumber Tomato Salad: Crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy dressing. The perfect light side alongside salmon with simple ingredients.
Bacon Cilantro Lime Grilled Corn Salad: Smoky corn, salty bacon, and bright lime. Pairs especially well with grilled or Asian-inspired salmon recipes.
about meghan
Meghan Yager is the recipe developer, food photographer, and creative force behind Cake ‘n Knife, where everyday moments are celebrated with bold, flavor-forward recipes. From cozy cocktails to bold appetizers and indulgent desserts, her approachable style brings people together around food worth sharing. Meghan’s work has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Today, Woman’s Day, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Denver, where she brings big flavor and a little sass to every bite.
