19 Super Simple Weeknight Salmon Dinner Recipes
on Jun 12, 2024, Updated Oct 18, 2024
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Salmon lends itself perfectly to flavorful, fast, and easy weeknight fish dinners. Try this 30-minute citrusy salmon with a creamy sauce for your next salmon meal.
We never get tired of salmon, but we always need new, easy salmon recipe ideas for dinner! Salmon has great flavor and silky richness, and it’s extremely versatile. It’s my go-to fish for weeknight meals. And it’s definitely considered a superfood with its high levels of healthful Omega-3 fatty acids (the good-for-you fat).
And so many great sides go with salmon. Of course, it depends on how you are seasoning or saucing your fish, what season it is, and whether you’re using the oven or firing up the grill. Below, you’ll find a slew of ideas for weeknight salmon dinners and a recipe for a simple citrus-marinated salmon with a bright, creamy sauce that takes less than 30 minutes to get on the table. Plus, it includes only 3 ingredients beyond the salmon! What are you waiting for?
You’ll also discover lots of sides paired with the salmon recipes. But you can never go wrong with rice and a simple green salad.
Table of Contents
Salmon is extremely versatile, and these easy dinner recipes will perk up the weeknight dinner rotation.
Kitchen Smarts
Make sure you are buying salmon at a market with high turnover or, better still, a fish store or grocery with a good fish counter. See How to Cook Salmon for lots of salmon cooking tips, including how to choose the most sustainable and freshest salmon when you shop.
19 Easy Salmon Dinner Recipes
Here are a bunch of salmon recipes to keep dinner interesting for a while!
Simple Asian Salmon
Salmon with Tarragon Vinaigrette
Poached Salmon with Cilantro Sauce
Thai Salmon
Hoisin-Glazed Salmon
Teriyaki Salmon
Air Fryer Salmon
Miso Salmon
Honey Ginger Salmon
Salmon, Potato, and Broccoli Sheet Pan Supper
Crispy-Skinned Salmon with Dill Sauce
Orange Salmon with Leeks and Mushrooms
Ginger Lemongrass Salmon
Salmon with Polenta and Warm Tomato Vinaigrette
Sheet Pan Salmon and Broccoli Rabe
Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce
Dedie’s Herbed Salmon
Creamy Tuscan Salmon
Salmon with Chimichurri Sauce
Side Dishes for Salmon Dinners
Obviously, the side dishes you choose will depend on the salmon recipe itself. When in doubt, go with a simple starch like rice, roasted potatoes, or orzo and a simple sautéed, steamed, or roasted green vegetable. Here are a few basics to consider!
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Pin ItCitrus Salmon
This recipe couldn’t be easier. If you don’t have the time to marinate the fish, it will still be delicious, though the flavors won’t penetrate so deeply. And the creamy, citrusy sauce comes together in 5 minutes and echoes the flavors of lemon and orange in the marinade.
Serve this with rice or potatoes and some Brussels sprouts, green beans, or a crisp salad (maybe with some roasted veggies tossed in) for a colorful and healthful meal.
Easy Weeknight Citrus Salmon Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 lemon
- 1 orange
- 4 (6- to 8-ounce) salmon fillets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (regular or low-fat)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Zest and juice both the lemon and the orange. Mix together two zests, then remove 1 teaspoon of the combined zest and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, and the citrus juices, along with the remaining zest. Season the marinade with salt and pepper. Place the salmon fillets in a baking pan, and pour the marinade over the fish, turning to coat evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise and the reserved teaspoon of zest and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Preheat the broiler. Transfer the salmon to an oiled, rimmed baking sheet, separating the pieces. Discard the marinade.
- Broil the salmon for 8 to 10 minutes until it is just cooked through (the fish will continue to cook a bit after it is removed from the oven, so take it out just before it’s done to your liking), and remove from the oven. Transfer to individual plates, and top each piece with a spoonful of the sauce.
Notes
- Any acidic ingredients in the marinade (like the citrus juice in this recipe) can start to cure or “cook” the fish after enough time goes by. That can affect the firm and flaky texture of the salmon. Don’t let your salmon marinate too long.
- If you don’t have the hour-plus to marinate the salmon in the fridge, just leave it out for 15 minutes at room temperature. A short room temperature marinating is safe; just don’t let it sit out for much longer than that.
