What Salad Goes with Salmon? (11 Salads)

Knowing what salad goes with salmon can be tricky.

After all, salmon is such a versatile fish and it can be cooked in so many different ways.

But don’t worry, I’m here to help!

I’ve rounded up 11 of the best salads to serve with salmon.

Whether you are looking for a light and refreshing salad to pair with grilled salmon or a hearty and filling salad to go with roasted salmon, there is sure to be something on this list that you’ll love.

So go ahead and give one (or all!) of these salads a try the next time you make salmon!

What Salad Goes with Salmon?

Common salads that go well with salmon are green salads, Caesar salad, Cobb salad, Nicoise salad, and beet salad. If you want to try something different, you can also serve salmon with quinoa salad, watercress salad, or grapefruit avocado salad.

Still looking for salad ideas?

Then keep scrolling!

Here are 11 salads that go with salmon:

1. Classic Bacon Broccoli Salad

Broccoli has a bad rep, but it’s seriously delicious in this bacon broccoli salad.

The key is to chop the broccoli into small pieces so that it’s nice and tender, and to not overcook the bacon.

I also like to add a bit of sweetness to balance out the savory flavors, so I add either dried cranberries or chopped grapes.

And of course, no salad is complete without a creamy dressing.

I make a simple mixture of mayo, Greek yogurt, vinegar, and honey.

If you want to change things up, you could:

• Swap out the bacon for diced cooked chicken or crumbled tofu.
• Use shredded cheddar or Parmesan in place of or in addition to the grapes.
• Add a handful of chopped nuts for extra crunch.
• Mix in some diced avocado for creaminess.

2. Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing

The dressing in this salad is out-of-this-world good, and it comes together in just minutes.

I love the combination of crispy romaine, fresh corn, black beans, and avocado, but you could easily mix things up and use whatever veggies you have on hand.

Some other great options would be:

• Diced bell peppers
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Chopped kale or spinach
• Shredded carrots or cabbage

To make this salad a complete meal, you could:

• Add some cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
• Serve it over a bed of quinoa or brown rice.
• Top with a few slices of avocado or some shredded cheese.

3. 5-Minute Lemon Parmesan Lettuce Salad

If you don’t have much time to make a side dish, this 5-minute lemon parmesan lettuce salad is the perfect solution.

It’s light, refreshing, and goes well with just about anything.

I like to add a little extra protein to my salad by topping it with grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or salmon.

For a vegetarian option, you could top it with roasted chickpeas or white beans.

And if you’re looking for a little more excitement, try adding some diced avocado, crumbled bacon, or shredded cheese.

4. BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad

Everybody loves BBQ chicken, and this salad is no exception!

The combination of ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, and chicken is always a hit, and the addition of pasta makes it a complete meal.

This salad can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it, which makes it perfect for potlucks or picnics.

To change things up, you could:

• Add some diced avocado for extra creaminess.
• Swap out the pasta for quinoa or rice for a gluten-free option.
• Use a different type of BBQ sauce (spicy, sweet, etc.) to change the flavor.
• Add crumbled bacon or chopped green onions for extra flavor.

5. Pesto Potato Salad

Pesto comes with a bold flavor that can really elevate a dish, and this pesto potato salad is no exception.

The creamy pesto dressing is so good, you’ll want to put it on everything.

And the best part is that this salad can be made ahead of time, so it’s perfect for potlucks and BBQs.

To change things up, you could:

• Add some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil to the pesto dressing.
• Swap out the potatoes for another type of starchy vegetable like roasted sweet potatoes or roasted cauliflower.
• Add some protein with cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
• Mix in some chopped fresh fruit like grapes or berries.

6. Antipasto Salad with Easy Italian Vinaigrette

Italians just get it. They know how to put together the perfect mix of salty, sweet, acidic, and savory flavors in every dish.

This antipasto salad is no exception.

The easy Italian vinaigrette ties all of the flavors together perfectly, and it takes less than 5 minutes to whip up.

If you want to change things up, you could:

• Add some cooked chicken or shrimp to make it a main dish.
• Swap out the greens for arugula or spinach.
• Use a different type of cheese, like feta or goat cheese.
• Add some chopped fresh herbs, like basil or oregano.

7. Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing

If regular white potatoes are a bit too bland for you, try this salad with sweet potatoes instead.

The honey mustard dressing is creamy and tangy, and the kale and sweet potatoes make a perfect pair.

You could also:

• Add some fruit to the salad, like diced apples or pears.
• Swap out the kale for another type of greens, like spinach or arugula.
• Mix in some cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.
• Use roasted sweet potatoes instead of raw for a more intense flavor.

8. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon just makes everything better – especially this ranch pasta salad.

The smoky, salty bacon pairs perfectly with the creamy dressing and tender pasta.

And the best part?

This dish can be made ahead of time, so it’s perfect for potlucks and picnics.

To change things up, you could:

• Add some diced avocado for extra creaminess.
• Swap out the pasta for quinoa or couscous.
• Throw in some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
• Mix in a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or black beans for extra protein.

9. Roasted Beet Goat Cheese Salad

When you’re feeling fancy, this roasted beet goat cheese salad is the perfect way to show off your culinary skills.

It’s beautiful, flavorful, and really easy to make.

The beets can be roasted up to a day in advance, so all you have to do when you’re ready to eat is assemble the salad.

And if you’re not a fan of goat cheese, no problem! Just swap it out for feta or blue cheese.

Here are a few other ideas for changing up this salad:

• Swap the arugula for spinach or mixed greens.
• Add some diced avocado for extra creaminess.
• Use candied pecans or walnuts instead of the plain ones.
• Try balsamic vinegar or lemon juice instead of the red wine vinegar.

10. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Healthy, simple, and so flavorful, this Mediterranean chickpea salad is a perfect side for salmon (or really any protein!).

I love that it can be made ahead of time and served cold or at room temperature, making it ideal for summertime entertaining.

This salad is also easily customizable – try swapping out the chickpeas for another type of bean, using a different variety of olives, or adding in some feta cheese.

For a heartier salad, you could:

• Add in some cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
• Serve over a bed of greens.
• Add a handful of chopped nuts or seeds for crunch.

11. Healthy Kale Cranberry Quinoa Salad

If you want something very healthy, very filling, and very flavorful, this is the salad for you.

It’s perfect for meal prep or for taking to work or on a picnic.

The kale cranberry quinoa salad is also easily customizable – swap out the kale for spinach, use any kind of berry you like, add in some grilled chicken or salmon.

To change things up even more, try:

• Using a different grain like farro or wheat berries.
• Adding in some chopped nuts or seeds for crunch.
• Swapping out the dressing for a different one – balsamic vinegar would be lovely, or a lemon tahini dressing would be delicious.