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This collection of easy, healthy salmon recipes will give you a ton of inspiration for ways to cook salmon. Includes ideas for oven-baked, pan-seared, and canned salmon! Each recipe is dietitian-designed and uses simple ingredients that pack in a ton of flavour and nutrition benefits.

Pinterest graphic for a roundup of simple, healthy salmon recipe ideas.

Salmon has forever been one of my favourite protein options. It’s delicious, easy to cook, and packs in a ton of nutrition benefits! If you’re looking for ways to cook and add flavour to salmon, you’ve come to the right place 🙂

In this post, I’ve rounded up 20+ simple, healthy salmon recipes from my blog, along with nutrition highlights and some tips what what to do with leftovers. Keep scrolling or click to go straight to your section of choice!

  1. salmon nutrition benefits
  2. what to do with leftover salmon
  3. baked salmon recipes
  4. pan-seared & grilled crispy salmon recipes
  5. canned salmon recipes

Salmon Nutrition Benefits

Salmon is an excellent source of quality, complete protein:

  • a 3-ounce serving provides 17 grams
  • a 6-ounce piece will give you 34 grams

Protein helps to protect bone health and prevent muscle loss, among many other functions!

In addition to protein, salmon is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3s. Omega-3s are known to support heart health, brain health, and to reduce inflammation overall.

On the micronutrient side, salmon is a great source of B vitamins like:

  • vitamin B12
  • vitamin B6
  • thiamin
  • riboflavin
  • niacin

B vitamins act as coenzymes in many important metabolic processes throughout your body, such as turning the food we eat into energy!

Salmon is also a good source of minerals like potassium and selenium.

What To Do With Leftover Salmon

Here are some of my favourite ways to re-purpose leftover salmon! Personally, I like eating leftover salmon cold so that it maintains its texture. It works great cold in the following ways:

  1. Flake it and add it to a salad as a filling protein source.
  2. Flake it and toss it in a simple veggie-filled pasta (again as a protein source).
  3. Combine both of the above ideas and add it to a pasta salad 😉
  4. Flake it or keep it whole and add it to a sandwich, pita or collard wrap, or on top of a bagel.
  5. Mash it with an avocado, lemon, and fresh herbs and serve over toast (or in a sandwich).

What Side Dishes To Pair With Salmon

Curious what sides go well with salmon? You’re in luck! I’ve rounded up 25+ salmon side dish recipes for you to explore and serve alongside salmon.

Baked Salmon Recipes

In this section, you’ll find easy ways to add flavour to oven-baked salmon. Baking salmon in the oven is super quick and results in a soft, buttery salmon texture.

1) Baked Harissa Salmon Over Lemon Quinoa

overhead photo of baked harissa salmon over lemon kale quinoa on a white plate. Ingredients garnish the outside of the plate, along with a MSC blue label
This oven-baked harissa salmon recipe is light, fresh, and flavourful! It's an easy, healthy weeknight dinner idea ready in 35-minutes!
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2) Baked Salmon With Pistachio Pesto

easy baked salmon topped with pistachio pesto
This easy oven-baked salmon recipe is topped with a tasty dairy-free pistachio pesto. A simple, healthy weeknight dinner ready in 25 minutes!
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3) Broccoli, Cauliflower & Salmon Salad With Curry Tahini

Overhead photo of a white plate topped with arugula, cauliflower, broccoli, salmon, and a drizzle of curry tahini dressing.
This roasted broccoli, cauliflower, and salmon salad is made with arugula, quinoa, dried cherries, and a creamy curry tahini dressing. It's an easy, healthy, and balanced meal that packs in a ton of nutrition, like fiber and protein. Recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
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4) Honey Lemon Baked Salmon With Thyme

Overhead photo of parchment-lined baking dish with four salmon fillets with lemon and thyme on top.
This easy baked salmon recipe features lemon and thyme. It’s a delicious way to enjoy the health benefits of salmon and is ready in under 30 minutes!
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5) Balsamic Baked Salmon With Strawberry Basil Salsa

Overhead photo of a white plate topped with a balsamic baked salmon and strawberry basil salsa over arugula and quinoa.
This balsamic baked salmon recipe is topped with a refreshing strawberry basil salsa. It's such a simple, yet delicious summer dish that's bursting with flavour and nutrition! This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and a source of protein and fibre.
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6) Healthy Taco Salmon Rice Bowl

Overhead photo of a taco salmon rice bowl with vegetables.
This taco salmon rice bowl is a super easy, healthy, and colourful meal! Nutritionally balanced and full of flavour – it's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a packed work lunch. Recipe is gluten-free and can easily be made dairy-free if needed.
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7) Baked Miso Maple Ginger Salmon

Overhead photo of a bowl of miso ginger salmon, quinoa, and zucchini.
This baked miso maple ginger salmon recipe is such an easy, delicious, and nutritious weeknight dinner! You only need 8 ingredients and about 30 minutes to make the salmon. It's full of flavour and the sauce goes great with anything you pair the fish with!
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8) Baked Chili Salmon

Baked chili salmon fillets on a baking sheet,
This buttery-soft baked chili salmon recipe is made with fresh garlic, chili powder, and honey. It's the perfect mix of sweet, savoury, and a touch of spice. With only 5 simple ingredients + 25-minutes to make it, you will LOVE this easy, healthy dinner idea!
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9) Honey Garlic Salmon Parcels With Veggies

Baked salmon over veggies in a foil parcel.
These oven-baked salmon parcels with vegetables and honey garlic sauce are a delicious and nutritious 30-minute dinner idea! They're a super easy recipe to prepare and the foil parcels make clean-up a breeze.
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10) Baked Chimichurri Salmon

A serving of baked chimichurri salmon with a side of vegetables.
This soft and delicious baked chimichurri salmon recipe is ready in just 25 minutes. Chimichurri is a fresh parsley sauce made with oregano and red wine vinegar. It's quick, easy, and nutritious – the perfect weeknight dinner idea!
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11) Almond Crusted Salmon

Almond crusted salmon plated with lemon and a side salad.
This almond crusted salmon recipe adds a delicious crunch to buttery-soft baked salmon. Made with just 9 simple ingredients, including lemon, honey, and dijon. You will love this easy + healthy dinner idea that's ready in 30 minutes!
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12) Salmon Quinoa Bowl With Tahini Sauce

Salmon quinoa bowl with roasted veggies and tahini sauce.
This healthy salmon quinoa bowl recipe is packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Paired with the most delicious creamy lemon herb tahini sauce and roasted veggies, this dish is perfect for a nutritious dinner or packed lunch!
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13) Stuffed Salmon With Spinach & Feta

Spinach and feta stuffed salmon fillets on a white serving plate.
This stuffed salmon recipe looks fancy, but it's shockingly easy to make! You'll love it for a dinner party or an healthy weeknight dinner. Salmon is stuffed with a Mediterranean-inspired mixture of spinach, feta, and roasted red peppers. Oven-baked and ready in about 30 minutes!
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Pan-Seared & Grilled Salmon Recipes

In this section you’ll find recipe ideas for how to make perfectly crispy salmon on the stovetop or grill, plus ways to add flavour to it!

14) Crispy Turmeric Salmon With Yogurt Sauce

side angle shot of white bowl with broccolini, brown rice, turmeric salmon, parsley yogurt sauce
This crispy turmeric salmon recipe is easy, delicious, and ready in just 20 minutes. Paired with a herby greek yogurt sauce to round out the dish!
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15) Couscous Salmon Salad Bowl

Salmon couscous salad in a bowl.
This salmon couscous salad bowl serves crispy, spiced salmon over a refreshing couscous salad made with cucumber, mint, and feta. Filled with Mediterranean flavours, this salmon bowl is easy, refreshing, and incredibly nutritious!
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16) Crispy Salmon With Coconut, Honey & Lime

white plate with salmon fillet, potatoes, spinach, coconut, and lime
This crispy salmon recipe is made with just 5 ingredients and takes under 20 minutes to make. Salmon fillets are pan-fried to get the skin nice and crisp, then are topped with toasted coconut chips, honey, and lime juice. Super easy, healthy, and absolutely delicious!
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17) Grilled Salmon With Wasabi-Dill Yogurt Sauce

Overhead photo of 4 pieces of grilled salmon topped with yogurt sauce on top of a white plate.
This easy grilled salmon recipe is paired with the most delicious wasabi, dill, lemon, and greek yogurt sauce. It's only 6 ingredients, quick to make, and super nutritious! Option to cook salmon in the oven or on the stovetop, too (see notes).
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18) Salmon With Sweet Potato Mash & Miso Coconut Sauce

Overhead photo of salmon and sweet potato mash with miso coconut sauce on a white plate.
This salmon with sweet potato mash recipe is served with the most deliciously creamy miso coconut sauce! It's an easy, cozy, and healthy dinner idea that's ready in about 30 minutes. Recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.
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Canned Salmon Recipes

Canned salmon is a super convenient way to reap the health benefits of salmon, often at a lower price point. I love keeping a few cans of salmon in my pantry for an easy protein source. Below are some creative ways to use it!

19) Canned Salmon Pasta

Canned salmon pasta in a large pan.
This healthy canned salmon pasta recipe is made with spinach, broccoli, and lemon. It's such a quick and easy dinner option! Filled with protein, healthy fats, and lots of fiber-rich veggies. 
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20) Canned Salmon Burger

Straight on photo of a salmon quinoa burger in a bun on a white plate and wooden cutting board.
A heart-healthy salmon burger recipe using quinoa and fresh herbs. Patties can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge. Use a gluten-free bun or collard wrap to make recipe GF, or skip the bun altogether and enjoy on top of salad (as desired).
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21) Canned Salmon Dip

Canned salmon dip on a large platter with crackers and vegetables.
You can have this protein-packed canned salmon dip ready in just 15 minutes! Made with simple ingredients like cream cheese, greek yogurt, lemon, and fresh herbs, this easy dip is perfect for crackers and raw veggies. Can be served as a sandwich or bagel spread, too!
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22) Healthy Canned Salmon Potato Salad

Healthy canned salmon potato salad with arugula, dill, chives, hard boiled eggs, and red potatoes
Looking for an easy side dish to bring to your next party or get together? This mayo-free, healthy canned salmon potato salad with arugula, dill & chives is for you!
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23) Canned Salmon Eggs Benedict

Whole wheat english muffin topped with canned salmon, a poached egg, hollandaise, and fresh parsley and dill on a plate.
Canned salmon makes a quick, delicious, and affordable substitute for smoked salmon in this Eggs Benedict. Serve with a herby hollandaise sauce, lots of lemon, a whole wheat bun, and a side of asparagus for a delicious springtime brunch!
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24) Canned Salmon Crostini

blue plate topped with canned salmon crostini, cream cheese, and dill
Looking for a simple, delicious, and nutritious appetizer idea for your next summer party? These light and fresh canned salmon crostini are sure to be a hit!
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More Recipe Round-Ups To Explore

I hope you found some inspiration from this list of Simple, Healthy Salmon Recipes! If you make any of these recipes, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

Get the Recipe: 20+ Healthy Salmon Recipes, Including Baked Harissa Salmon

This oven-baked harissa salmon recipe is light, fresh, and flavourful! It's an easy, healthy weeknight dinner idea ready in 35-minutes! Plus, more healthy salmon recipes to explore!
overhead photo of baked harissa salmon over lemon kale quinoa on a white plate. Ingredients garnish the outside of the plate, along with a MSC blue label
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Ingredients

Harissa salmon:

Lemon Quinoa:

  • 1/2 cup quinoa, dry
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cups kale, shredded or torn
  • 1 lemon, juice + zest
  • 3 Tbsp golden raisins
  • Salt + pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • In a large pot on the stove, cook quinoa with water according to package directions. Quinoa is done once all liquid is absorbed (about 15 minutes).
  • Meanwhile, whisk harissa paste, minced garlic, and olive oil together in a small bowl.
  • Place salmon fillets into a baking dish and coat with harissa mixture. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
  • While salmon bakes, heat a large pan over medium and add 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Sauté kale until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • Add sautéed kale to the pot with cooked quinoa, along with lemon juice, zest, and golden raisins. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Serve quinoa mixture and top with baked salmon. Enjoy!

Notes

*IMPORTANT NOTE: There are different types of harissa paste available, some are spicy and others are mild. Please look for and use a mild harissa paste, or else this recipe will be too spicy! That is, unless you love a lot of spice 🙂
*LEFTOVERS: Cooked salmon will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can reheat salmon in the oven, stovetop, or microwave, although it will compromise the texture a little. Because of this, I often like eating any leftover salmon cold. Throw it into a salad or add it to a sandwich or wrap!
*RECIPE MODIFICATIONS: While I recommend keeping the salmon part of the recipe as is, you can easily serve the harissa salmon with something other than the lemon quinoa! For instance:
  • instead of quinoa you can use another grain like brown rice, farro, or couscous.
  • instead of kale you could use another leafy green, like spinach or chard.
  • you could also serve the harissa salmon over a simple pasta, or with a side of potatoes and roasted veggies

Nutrition

As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.

Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.