Our best-ever salmon dinners
The Quick Roasting Tin/Square Peg
Super salmon
Salmon is such a versatile fish and so widely available, we all look for new ways to serve it. It can take on many different flavours, whether you love it with noodles or rice, in a simple traybake with vegetables, in a salad or with pasta. You should include two portions of oily fish, like salmon, into your diet each week, so check out our easy salmon recipes to help you on your way.
Eat to Beat Illness/Harper Thorsons
Pan-fried Cajun salmon
Salmon fillets are left to marinate in Cajun spices, lime, sugar and oil for just 20 minutes, before being fried until the skin is crisp and the fish is cooked through. It's served with a healthy, tasty side of sweetcorn, quinoa and watercress. You can easily substitute the watercress for baby spinach or rocket.
Get the recipe for pan-fried Cajun salmon here
Spicy salmon quiche
This quiche is made with hot-smoked salmon which is thick and flaky, unlike thin slices of cold-smoked salmon. It works so well in this tart, with a little hint of chilli to bring out the flavours of the salmon. The pastry is fantastic, made with cream cheese, so give it a try. This is quite a rich dish so just serve with a crunchy green salad.
Get the recipe for spicy salmon quiche here
Wagamama Feed Your Soul/Kyle Books
Salmon quinoa salad
A healthy salad with a spike of flavour to cut through the rich salmon, thanks to a coconut milk and horseradish dressing. You could use a dab of wasabi instead of the horseradish. The cooked quinoa is mixed with a colourful array of vegetables, like grated carrot, mooli and mangetout, to add crunch. Swap in red breakfast radishes if you can't find mooli.
Get the recipe for salmon quinoa salad here
Jonathan Lovekin/Ebury Press
Pan-fried salmon with pine nut salsa
Smoked salmon fishcakes
Fishcakes make a great midweek meal and they freeze well, so we suggest making a double batch of this recipe and storing half in the freezer. These fishcakes use smoked salmon and smoked mackerel. If you can find smoked salmon trimmings, they'd be perfect here and quite economical. There's a dollop of horseradish in the mix too, which provides a pleasing kick, and they're served with a garlic and lemon mayo.
Get the recipe for smoked salmon fishcakes here
Tagliatelle with salmon
An easy pasta dish, this recipe uses tinned salmon, but you could happily use fresh, cooked salmon instead. It has a creamy sauce, to which peas and spinach are added. To take it up a notch, try adding a few strips of smoked salmon too, with just a pinch of chilli flakes to counteract the richness of the salmon, without making it hot and spicy.
Get the recipe for tagliatelle with salmon here
Ginger salmon with oyster sauce and broccoli
Maria Kovaleva/Shutterstock
Salmon hummus
Give hummus a twist by adding tinned salmon. Whizz in a blender with chickpeas, tahini and garlic. Add a squeeze of lemon too, once you've seasoned it with sea salt and black pepper. This recipe packs a real protein punch, so it's super filling and makes a simple lunch with toast and a fresh salad of radish, leaves and red onion.
Get the recipe for salmon hummus here
Salmon, egg and olive salad
Cheddar soufflé with smoked salmon
A soufflé is easier to make than you think. Think of it as an enriched cheese sauce to which you fold in whisked egg whites. The trick is to lightly fold in the whites using a balloon whisk, rather than a spoon. The combination of mature cheese and smoked salmon makes it irresistible, and it's as light as air.
Get the recipe for Cheddar soufflé with smoked salmon here
Gravadlax with sweet mustard relish
If you've never tried to make gravadlax – Scandinavian-style cured salmon – it's really worth doing. The process is very simple, but it takes a few days to cure. The salmon isn't cooked, but dry-cured (in salt, sugar, pepper and dill), almost like smoked salmon. Run your hand along the salmon side before curing, to check for any pin bones, which are best removed with a small pair of pliers. It's served with a sweet mustard relish.
Get the recipe for gravadlax with sweet mustard relish here
Waitrose & Partners/loveFOOD
Gravadlax on rye bread
Whether you've made your own gravadlax or are using shop-bought, this easy recipe makes a lovely canapé, a light lunch or starter. The fish is served on rye bread, dressed with a sweet mustard and dill dressing, then topped with sliced onions, baby capers and more fresh dill. Super simple and super quick.
Get the recipe for gravadlax on rye bread here
Nassima Rothacker/Hardie Grant
Salmon noodle bowl
Such a colourful dish, full of crunch and punchy flavours, this noodle bowl takes a bit of time to prep and chop, but it's all very easy. Soy-grilled salmon, pickled radish, noodles and avocado are drizzled with a chilli and lime dressing, which you can just whizz up in the blender. It's a dish you can play around with, depending what's in the fridge.
Get the recipe for salmon noodle bowl here
Smoked salmon and pea frittata
A frittata is simply an Italian version of an omelette. You cook the whole thing in a deep frying pan, then finish it off under the grill. This version uses smoked salmon trimmings with dill, peas and Parmesan. It's served with a green salad with a creamy dressing.
Get the recipe for smoked salmon and pea frittata here
Africa Studio/Shutterstock
Salmon croquettes
Salmon mixed with mashed potato and herbs, then coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried, just has "eat me" written all over it. Our recipe uses tinned salmon, but use fresh if you prefer. You just need to allow an hour for them to chill in the fridge before cooking. Serve with salad and a sweet chilli jam or blue cheese dip.
Get the recipe for salmon croquettes here
Salmon en croûte
A stunning centrepiece dish ideal for any special occasion, salmon wrapped in puff pastry is surprisingly easy to make, especially if you use ready-rolled puff pastry. It's often layered with a spinach purée or finely chopped cooked mushrooms, but our recipe adds a Thai twist, with lemongrass, pak choi, coriander and lime.
Get the recipe for salmon en croûte here
food-o-graphy/Shutterstock
Fish pie
The ultimate comfort food, fish pie always goes down well. In this recipe, salmon is mixed with white fish (such as cod), prawns and smoked haddock. Smoked fish adds more depth of flavour. With cheese and leeks in the simple cream sauce, and a creamy mashed potato topping, just serve with buttered peas. Our top tip? Add more grated cheese on top of the mash before baking.
Get the recipe for fish pie here
BBA Photography/Shutterstock
Asparagus egg dippers with smoked salmon
Larisa Blinova/Shutterstock
Salmon ceviche
Ceviche is a vibrantly fresh Peruvian dish where raw fish is 'cooked', or essentially cured, in lemon or lime juice, with chilli, onion, radishes and olive oil. You can use scallops, prawns or sea bass too, but it works particularly well with salmon. Sliced avocado adds extra colour and texture. Serve it ice cold from the fridge with some fresh coriander.
Get the recipe for salmon ceviche here
Corn fritters with lox and poached eggs
Lox is salt-cured salmon, a little like gravadlax, but smoked salmon works just as well in this recipe. The corn fritters are quick to make – almost a cross between a fritter and a pancake. Top them with a poached egg and salmon for a great weekend brunch.
Get the recipe for corn fritters with lox and poached eggs here
Anna Shepulova/Shutterstock
Salmon tart
Salmon works so well in a quiche-style tart. And if you use shop-bought shortcrust pastry, it doesn't take long to make. In our recipe, there's sautéed leeks, cream and cheese with tinned salmon, but use fresh if you prefer. You could also add some peas or blanched Tenderstem broccoli to incorporate extra vegetables.
Get the recipe for salmon tart here
British Asparagus/loveFOOD
Asparagus, salmon and squash rice bowl
A colourful dish which makes a healthy, wholesome meal. Butternut squash is roasted in a little cumin and chilli. The salmon is coated in fresh ginger and honey, and cooked with asparagus (swap for Tenderstem broccoli when asparagus isn't in season). Serve with brown rice, chopped peanuts, fresh coriander and plenty of lemon juice. Any leftovers are perfect served cold for lunch the next day.
Get the recipe for asparagus, salmon and squash rice bowl here
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock
Salmon burgers
Salmon makes a great burger patty and here it's mixed with big flavours – horseradish, anchovies, mustard, lemon, capers, spring onions and chilli. Cook on the barbecue, fry or grill. There's a tasty herbed cucumber yogurt to serve them with. Our recipe suggests serving them in pitta breads, but they'd be just as good on a burger bun with lettuce, gherkins and sliced tomato.
Get the recipe for salmon burgers here
Nisha Katonoa/Nourish Books
Tamarind salmon curry
This dish is a nod to south Indian curries, with vibrant flavours from the ginger and chilli, and the sweet tanginess of tamarind. The salmon fillet adds perfect texture and richness to the curry and works well with either rice or flatbreads.
Get the recipe for Tamarind salmon curry here
Dora Kazmierak/Kyle Books
Salmon ramen
A quick and easy bowl of noodles that gives comfort and nourishment, perfect for a rainy day. The salmon is pan-fried, which allows for the skin to get nice a crispy adding texture to the dish. Key to the broth is a teaspoon of miso paste which gives depth, and with your favourite seasonal green it is a healthy meal for any day of the week.
Get this easy salmon ramen recipe here
Salmon and dill burgers
Using poached salmon, these burgers are a party favourite. Making eight patties, this recipe is fun to have when friends pop over for dinner and everyone can add their own condiments and extras. The dill enhances the salmon, so you can go as simple as you want and it will still be delicious.
Get the recipe for these salmon and dill burgers here
Donal Skehan/Hodder & Stoughton
Spiced salmon with pineapple salsa
This is a real crowd pleaser. The salmon is cooked with spices and pepper, and then paired with a pineapple salsa, which is fresh and sweet. Served with caramelised onion rice, it makes enough to feed eight people – an absolute feast!
Get the recipe for spiced salmon with pineapple salsa here
Elena Heatherwick/Ebury Press
Za’atar salmon and tahini
If you haven’t yet paired fish with tahini, then you’re in for a real treat. This recipe combines the savoury flavours of tahini with herby za’atar and sour sumac. Using a nutty and creamy tahini is key in getting those deep flavours, which are very wholesome when paired with salmon.
Get the recipe for this delicious za'atar salmon and tahini here
Miso-crusted salmon with black rice
This dish has a wonderful depth of flavour, combining the umami flavours of soy and miso with the richness of salmon. Black rice has a lovely texture to it and a nuttiness that works well with the soft salmon fillets. Serve with edamame beans and cucumber pickle and this dish is also a colourful feast for the eyes.
Get the recipe for miso-crusted salmon with black rice here
Jacek Chabraszewski/Shutterstock
Barbecued salmon
This dish might take a little preparation, but it’s worth it. The rich salmon takes on the smoky flavours from the barbecue incredibly well and the marinade of soy, mirin (or rice vinegar) with chilli help give the dish some depth. Serve with a zesty lime dressing or a punchy chimichurri herb sauce.
Get this barbecued salmon recipe here
Smoked salmon frittata
This is a classic pairing of dill and salmon and is a perfect dish for a weekend brunch. Easy to make but packed with flavour, this frittata uses Parmesan for an added umami flavour. What's more, it’s all made in one pan so there's minimal washing up to do after.
Get the recipe for smoked salmon frittata here
Salmon, courgette and lemon kebabs
This is a perfect barbecue dish and is a little lighter than the usual fare. The recipe suggests to use courgettes, but you can add other vegetables too – such as red peppers to add some sweetness or even slices of red onion. A herby yogurt sauce will add even more flavour to the dish and is very quick to prepare.
Get the recipe for this easy salmon, courgette and lemon kebabs here
Elena Veselova/Shutterstock
Oven-baked salmon with a dill glaze
Fresh herbs have such an affinity with salmon. They counteract the richness of the fish with their fresh flavours. This is a Scandi-style recipe with a herb butter made from dill, chives, parsley, butter and mustard. Simply bake the salmon with a little lemon (or pan-fry it, if you prefer), then spread the herb butter over the fish and leave it to absorb the flavours for a few minutes.
Get the recipe for oven-baked salmon with a dill glaze here
The Quick Roasting Tin/Square Peg
Sticky soy and honey roasted salmon
This easy traybake with salmon and greens is ready in 30 minutes. Vary the greens as to what's in season. The salmon is doused in honey, soy and sesame oil, then once cooked, it's covered with a lime, ginger, sesame and chilli dressing, spring onions and chopped peanuts. Serve with rice or noodles.
Get the recipe for sticky soy and honey roasted salmon here