20 Fresh Ways to Cook Salmon C.W. Newell
There’s so much to love about salmon. Not only is the healthy fish packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and B vitamins, but it also cooks quickly, which means you can get a tasty, good-for-you dinner on the table even on busy weeknights. Looking for some new salmon recipes to add to your rotation? You’ll find plenty of inspiration on this list a for quick and easy weeknight dinner!
Another great thing about salmon is that there’s no singular method for cooking it. Ree Drummond is a big fan of baking it on a sheet pan in the oven, but you can also throw salmon fillets on the grill or pan-fry them in a skillet. The recipes here include all of these techniques. Need healthy lunch and dinner ideas? You’ll find plenty of salmon-topped grain bowls and salads. If speed is a priority, you’ll love quick, complete meals like Ree’s sheet pan salmon puttanesca and her blackened salmon with edamame succotash. You can even cook salmon in an air fryer!
Lovers of seafood will appreciate creative recipes for salmon tacos, salmon BLTs, and salmon kebabs. There are even some recipes made to persuade folks who don’t typically eat fishy dishes, including tasty salmon burgers and salmon cakes. So, keep reading for a closer look at the recipes here, and if you have extra fillets in the fridge, you’ll want to browse leftover salmon recipes next!
Pesto Salmon
Photo credit: C.W. Newell
Need a fast and fresh dinner that still feels fancy? This pesto salmon delivers: juicy, flaky fillets baked under a layer of basil pesto. Add a squeeze of lemon and serve with greens or crusty bread to catch all that herby sauce.
Get Ree’s Pesto Salmon recipe.
Marry Me Salmon
Photo credit: C.W. Newell
For this recipe, the famous creamy, tangy “marry me” sauce is spooned over tender, flaky salmon for a dinner that feels restaurant-worthy, but comes together in just over 30 minutes—all in one skillet. You’ll also want to make some pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up every drop.
Get Ree’s Marry Me Salmon recipe.
Salmon Tacos with Charred Corn Slaw
Photo credit: C.W. Newell
Put a new twist on taco night! While the salmon bakes, quickly char the corn, then toss it with crisp cabbage and a bright, creamy dressing for the perfect cool crunch. Pile everything into tortillas, finish with a big squeeze of lime, and dinner is ready.
Get the Salmon Tacos with Charred Corn Slaw recipe.
Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon
Photo credit: David Malosh
Salmon great for fall, too! For this seasonal recipe, the fish is brushed with cider, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of paprika, so it roasts up flaky with a glossy sweet-savory finish. Round it out with red potatoes and green beans for an easy, cozy dinner.
Get Ree’s Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon recipe.
Sweet Chili Salmon with Asparagus
Photo credit: Ryan Liebe
Here’s the ultimate sweet-and-spicy salmon supper! Roast the fish under a sticky chili glaze with just the right kick, while the asparagus cooks alongside for an easy one-pan dinner. Serve it with white or brown rice.
Get Ree’s Sweet Chili Salmon with Asparagus recipe.
BBQ Salmon with Cucumber Salad
Photo credit: Ryan Liebe
Skip the grill and still get that bold BBQ flavor! This salmon roasts in minutes, finished under the broiler with a smoky-sweet glaze until glossy and char-kissed. Serve it with a creamy lime-honey cucumber salad for a crisp, cooling contrast. Don’t forget extra sauce on the side!
Get Ree’s BBQ Salmon with Cucumber Salad recipe.
Salmon Tacos
Photo credit: Ryan Liebe
Swap your usual taco filling for flaky, oven-baked salmon and you’ve got an instant, easy upgrade. These tacos come together fast with a creamy dill slaw made from bagged mix and a zippy yogurt dressing, then get finished with toppings like avocado and crisp radishes.
Get Ree’s Salmon Tacos recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon
Photo credit: Caitlin Bensel
Salmon in just ten minutes? Yes, it’s totally possible! Prepare your salmon in the air fryer for a quick meal that still has all the flaky, tender texture and delicious flavor you know and love.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
Baked Salmon
Photo credit: Will Dickey
To make this meal, just season your salmon with salt and pepper, then drizzle a flavorful marinade of mustard, honey, lemon juice, and olive oil before placing it in the oven. Easy and delicious!
Get the Baked Salmon recipe.
Grilled Salmon
Photo credit: Caitlin Bensel
You’ll want to add salmon to your grilling repertoire ASAP. Start with skin-on salmon fillets seasoned with a mixture of apple cider vinegar, dijon, and smoked paprika. The end result is fish with a wonderful smoky and tangy flavor.
Get the Grilled Salmon recipe.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Photo credit: Brian Woodcock
Dip, dip, hooray! Your guests won’t be able to get enough of this zesty dip that’s packed with freshly chopped dill, minced shallot, capers, lemon zest, and smoked salmon. Serve it with anything from bagels to veggies.
Get Ree’s Smoked Salmon Dip recipe.
Honey Soy Salmon
Photo credit: Ralph Smith
If you’re in the market for an easy, reliable salmon recipe to make again and again, look no further. Ree’s go-to method involves pan-frying the fish, then using the same skillet to make a sticky, flavorful glaze. The whole process takes just 15 minutes!
Get Ree’s Honey Soy Salmon recipe.
Greek Salmon Couscous Bowls
Photo credit: Danielle Daly
Looking to use salmon in a healthy family meal? Top couscous with baked salmon, bell peppers, cucumber, olives, and tzatziki.
Get Ree’s Greek Salmon Couscous Bowls recipe.
Salmon Burgers with Sesame-Soy Glaze
Photo credit: Ralph Smith
These tasty burgers couldn’t be easier to make: They cook on a sheet pan under the broiler for about 6 to 8 minutes—no grilling or flipping required! Brush the patties with a sticky, savory sesame-soy glaze, then top the cooked burgers with a homemade cucumber salad for some added crunch.
Get Ree’s Salmon Burgers with Sesame-Soy Glaze recipe.
Chipotle Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon
Photo credit: Ralph Smith
Grill up some salmon to serve over your favorite salad. In this version, both the fish and the buttermilk dressing get some heat from adobo sauce. It’s also topped with easy homemade croutons.
Get Ree’s Chipotle Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon recipe.
Blackened Salmon with Edamame Succotash
Photo credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani
Borrow Ree’s sheet-pan method for making blackened salmon and you’ll have this tasty, flavorful dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. This fish pairs perfectly with a side of buttery sautéed vegetables.
Get Ree’s Blackened Salmon with Edamame Succotash recipe.
Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl
Photo credit: Con Poulos
You can have this healthy lunch or dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. The lemony quinoa is topped with flaky chunks of baked salmon, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta, and a quick homemade dressing.
Get Ree’s Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl recipe.
Everything Cucumber-Smoked Salmon Bites
Photo credit: Ryan Liebe
Serve this refreshing, low-carb appetizer for your next brunch. You can use a store-bought everything bagel-inspired seasoning mix or make your own.
Get Ree’s Everything Cucumber-Smoked Salmon Bites recipe.
Kale Salad with Salmon
Photo credit: Ralph Smith
This is no boring kale salad. The greens are tossed with salty roasted almonds, crumbled goat cheese, and sautéed mushrooms, and the salmon gets a brush of balsamic glaze after it’s finished baking.
Get Ree’s Kale Salad with Salmon recipe.
Sheet Pan Salmon Puttanesca
Photo credit: Ryan Liebe
Sheet pan dinners like this one are ideal for busy weeknights (or any time you just don’t feel like washing a bunch of pots and pans), and salmon is the perfect protein for them because it cooks so quickly. You’ll love how it tastes with crispy bread cubes and homemade puttanesca sauce.
Get Ree’s Sheet Pan Salmon Puttanesca recipe.
There’s so much to love about salmon. Not only is the healthy fish packed with omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and B vitamins, but it also cooks quickly, which means you can get a tasty, good-for-you dinner on the table even on busy weeknights. Looking for some new salmon recipes to add to your rotation? You’ll find plenty of inspiration in this collection—including leftover salmon recipes for quick and easy weeknight dinners!
Another great thing about salmon is that there’s no one “right” method for cooking it. Ree Drummond is a big fan of baking it on a sheet pan in the oven, but you can also throw salmon fillets on the grill or pan-fry them in a skillet. The recipes in this list include all of these techniques (and more). Need healthy lunch and dinner ideas? You’ll find plenty of salmon-topped grain bowls and salads. If speed is a priority, you’ll love quick, complete meals like Ree’s Sheet Pan Salmon Puttanesca and her Blackened Salmon with Edamame Succotash. You can even find an air fryer salmon recipe.
Seafood fans will appreciate creative recipes for salmon tacos, salmon BLTs, and salmon kebabs. Meanwhile, we also rounded up some recipes designed to please non-fish lovers (like Ladd Drummond), including tasty salmon burgers and salmon cakes. And did we mention the salmon pasta options? Keep reading for a closer look at the best salmon recipes. And for more weeknight dinner ideas, check out these guides to the best shrimp recipes, the best pasta recipes, and the best fall recipes.
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