Are you looking for healthy salmon recipes for dinner? Try any of these 18 easy salmon recipes, including baked salmon, grilled salmon, salmon bowls, salmon pasta, and even salmon ceviche. If you are looking to add more salmon to your diet, this is the perfect way to start!
Finish the meal with any of my 25+ Healthy Side Dishes for Salmon.
Healthy Salmon Recipes for Dinner
Look no further for the best healthy salmon recipes for dinner. Salmon is a versatile, tasty, and easy-to-cook protein that is an easy addition to any dinner table. Whether you are looking to add more fish to your diet, or just add variety to your salmon night, I've got you covered with a delightful collection of easy, simple, and healthy salmon recipes that will please anyone in your family.
Salmon is the perfect addition to your menu because it's fast to cook, super healthy, and very flavorful. It's also readily available in stores, even if you don't live near the coast. Make sure to read my tips below for buying the best salmon and cooking tips before you dive in, so you can prepare the fish just right! Cooking salmon a few minutes too long can give you a dry and not-too-great piece of fish.
From simple Baked Salmon, Salmon Pasta, and even salmon dip this collection is a unique and tasty way to add this popular fish to your weekday dinner rotation.
Is Salmon Healthy?
Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can eat! It's rich in protein, and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. It also has some key nutrients like selenium, phosphorus, and B vitamins like B12 and B6. It's a heart-healthy dinner option!
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All About Salmon
Before we dive into the healthy salmon recipes for dinner, let's learn how to shop and cook the salmon with ease.
What are the types of salmon?
Figuring out what type of salmon to buy can be a bit tricky. Here are a few of the most common types of salmon fillets you'll see in stores. The first three are from the Pacific and are caught wild-caught salmon, while the third is most often farmed.
- Chinook Salmon or King Salmon: The largest, tastiest salmon with a high-fat content and deep red color. It's from the Pacific and only available fresh from late spring to early fall.
- Coho Salmon or Silver Salmon: Salmon with bright red flesh and a more delicate flavor than King Salmon. It has less fat and can dry out if you don't cook it carefully. It's only available from June to September.
- Sockeye Salmon: Another fish with bright red and orange flesh and deep flavor. They are also fished in the Pacific and available late spring through the summer.
- Atlantic Salmon: There is only one kind of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar, that is available and nearly all of what you'll find in the store has been farmed. It's a fatty, hearty fish that cooks well. Since it's farm-raised, it's available year-round and often at a budget-friendly price tag. Farmed Atlantic Salmon can be a bit controversial, but bought from a trusted source, I use it regularly without issues.
How to Shop for Salmon
- Fresh or Frozen?: Don't be afraid of buying frozen fish! Either type will work well for any of these healthy salmon recipes for dinner. Unless you live near the coast, often the fish at your regular grocery store seafood counter has just been thawed from frozen anyway. If you want fresh make sure to look for a label that says fresh never frozen. Don't be afraid to buy frozen fish to stock your freezer with because most fish these days if frozen shortly after catching them anyway.
- Tips for Buying Fresh Fish: Check that the salmon you buy has a vibrant color with no brown spots or fishy smell. Also, avoid salmon that appears to be dried out, and has brown spots or bruising. The fish should be brightly colored.
Tips for Cooking Salmon
- Salmon cooks quickly and often only needs 8-12 minutes to cook depending on the thickness of the fish.
- Salmon will be done when it just starts to flake with a fork.
- You can serve salmon rare or well done according to personal preference.
- If you are still unsure of how long to cook your salmon you can use a meat thermometer. A medium piece of salmon will be done from 125 degrees Fahrenheit to 135 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer, which is what I cook my salmon too. I should note that the USDA says to cook salmon to an internal temperature of 145 degrees, but that will be a very well-done and dry piece of salmon. But, that is what they determined to be the safest.
18 Healthy Salmon Recipes for Dinner
Now let's dive into the tastiest, healthy salmon recipes for dinner! These ideas are all simple, easy and so delicious.
Easy Baked Rosemary Salmon
This Easy Baked Rosemary Salmon is my go-to for healthy salmon recipes for dinner. It's super simple to make with pantry staples and requires no fussy ingredients to get it on the dinner table. The rosemary, olive oil, kosher salt and black pepper pair perfectly with the simple baked salmon and the tender fish tastes amazing. And since it's baked in the oven, clean-up is a breeze. If you are looking for an easy meal, this is it!
Serve it with Roasted Asparagus and Roasted Potatoes.
Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon with Peach Salsa
Another favorite healthy salmon recipe for dinner is this Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon with Peach Salsa. If you've mastered baked salmon, upgrade salmon night with this tender and tasty fish dinner. If peaches aren't in season you can make it with Mango Salsa or any of my other Fruit Salsas.
Serve it with Cilantro Lime Brown Rice.
Blackened Salmon
An easy way to get more flavor out of your baked salmon is by making this Baked Blackened Salmon using my Homemade Blackening Seasoning and a touch of melted butter with the perfect amount of spice. It's such a great twist on a healthy salmon dinner and a great way to roast salmon!
Serve it with Oven Roasted Broccoli and Mushrooms.
Salmon Pesto Pasta
Salmon, pesto, and pasta are a dream team foodie combination! This super simple and healthy dinner comes together with just a handful of ingredients. This Salmon Pesto Pasta makes a perfect healthy salmon dinner recipe.
Make it with any of my 8 Homemade Pestos.
Parmesan Panko Crusted Salmon
Parmesan Panko Crusted Salmon makes another unique addition to this list of healthy salmon recipes for dinner. The Parmesan Panko topping looks fancy, but it comes together with pantry staples. The salmon is then oven-baked without much fuss and once again has an easy cleanup. This is such a delicious way to add even more flavor to your fish.
Serve it with Parmesan Garlic Potato Wedges and Roasted Broccoli.
Teriyaki Salmon Bowl
Asian flavors pair perfectly with salmon and this Teriyaki Salmon Bowl makes a fabulous healthy salmon dinner. This salmon bowl looks complicated, but it's made with a few shortcuts to get this tasty meal on the table in just 15 minutes.
Serve it with my Teriyaki Brussels Sprouts.
Everything But the Bagel Salmon
This Everything But the Bagel Salmon is so tasty and makes the perfect addition to this collection of healthy salmon recipes for dinner. It's simply baked, but seasoned with the flavor-bomb homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning. It's a great way to bake salmon and get a lot of taste into your fish, without a lot of fuss.
Serve it with my Everything But the Bagel Roasted Potatoes.
Salmon Alfredo Pasta
Another great addition to this list of healthy salmon recipes for dinner is my Blackened Salmon Alfredo which is made with simple cheesy alfredo sauce and Blackened Salmon. The rich and slightly spicy salmon pairs perfectly with the creamy pasta sauce.
Serve it with my Kale Ceasar Salad.
Salmon Ceviche
Do you think ceviche is too hard to make at home? It's not! This healthy and fresh Salmon Ceviche makes a perfect healthy dinner and it comes together with just a few ingredients.
Serve it with Mexican Chopped Salad.
Pistachio Crusted Salmon
Pistachio Crusted Salmon is another fabulous addition to this list of healthy salmon recipes for dinner. The unexpected pistachio topping tastes great on the fish, and it's once again oven-baked making it simple to prepare.
Serve it with Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts.
Baked Salmon with Creamy Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
Adding a simple sauce is another way to change up your salmon dinner! This easy-baked Lemon Salmon adds a Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce to make salmon night even tastier! Add this to your list of favorite healthy salmon recipes for dinner.
Serve it with Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables.
Salmon Foil Packets with Rainbow Veggies
In this healthy salmon recipe for dinner, you cook salmon in foil with a fun collection of rainbow veggies. This Salmon Foil Packet with Rainbow Veggies makes a great weekday dinner. You can either bake this in the oven or throw it on the grill in the summer. This is the best salmon recipe!
Serve it with Cheesy Foil Packet Potatoes.
Balsamic Glazed Salmon
Balsamic Glazed Salmon is another rich and flavorful healthy salmon recipe. A quick homemade glaze with balsamic vinegar and honey made in the frying pan adds so much flavor to the salmon fillets and a unique taste to the fish.
Make it a meal with my Roasted Garlic Green Beans and Roasted Sweet Potato Bites.
Baked Salmon Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Add this salmon salad to your list of healthy salmon recipes to make for dinner! My Salmon Kale Salad is simple, flavorful, and full of nutrients. If you are looking for a lighter salmon meal, this is it!
Make it with my homemade Tahini Dressing or any of my 20 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes.
Easy Lemon Pesto Salmon
In more healthy salmon recipes, this Easy Lemon Pesto Salmon uses your favorite pesto and lemon juice to bring life and flavor to the fish with minimal fuss. This is another baked salmon recipe with easy clean-up!
Serve it with my Mediterranean Chopped Salad.
Healthy Smoked Salmon Dip
Another unique healthy salmon recipe for dinner is my Healthy Smoked Salmon Dip. It's made with smoked salmon, greek yogurt, and lemon to create a tasty and creative way to enjoy salmon. It's great with crackers, pita, or veggies.
Serve it with my Greek Couscous Salad.
Salmon, Asparagus, and Tomato in Foil
Salmon, Asparagus, and Tomato in Foil are another great addition to this list of healthy salmon recipes. Cooking the salmon with the vegetables in foil creates an easy dinner, without a lot of fuss. Here's another great one that you can cook on the grill or bake in the oven. You can also make these with parchment paper.
Serve it with my Italian Pasta Salad.
Garlic Dill Salmon & Brussels Sprouts One Pan Meal
Another great healthy salmon recipe for dinner is this Garlic Dill Salmon and Brussels One Pan Meal. This great one cooks together on a sheet pan in the oven for easy clean-up. You can mix up the vegetables with any quick cooking one that will cook at about the same time as the fish.
Serve it with my Creamy Pesto Pasta.
Healthy Salmo Recipes for Dinner FAQ
What do I do with leftovers?
If you have leftovers of any of these healthy salmon recipes for dinner, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
What is the healthiest way to eat salmon?
Baked, air-fried, or grilled are some of the healthiest ways to eat salmon. Any recipes that don't include lots of added butter or oil or a heavy sauce or generally healthier. Poaching and steaming is also healthy.
Is baking salmon healthier?
Baking salmon is healthier because it uses less oil and butter.
What goes best with salmon?
Salmon is such a versatile dish and so many dishes go well with it. I added a pairing for each of my recipes above, but be sure to mix and match your favorite side dishes with my 25+ healthy side dishes for salmon.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
You can make any of these baked salmon recipes into air fryer salmon recipes by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees. Cook the salmon for 6-11 minutes depending on the size and thickness of your peices of salmon.
Healthy Salmon Recipes for Dinner
There are so many delicious healthy salmon recipes for dinner, and these are just a few of my favorites! This fish is classic, tasty and so simple to make. Start with this list to add more fish to your weekly dinner rotation. And if you are planning the entire meal, don't forget to start with my 25+ healthy side dishes for salmon!
Happy cooking!
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More Fish & Seafood Recipes to Try:
- 25+ Healthy Shrimp Recipes
- Blackened Swordfish
- Tilapia Veracruz
- Foil Packet Fish
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Lemon Pepper Tilapia
- Seared Scallops with Mango Salsa
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