Copper River wild salmon is a delicacy. Copper River’s three native species—Chinook, coho, and sockeye salmon—offer flavor palettes ranging from mild to robust, with delicate, sometimes buttery textures and firm flesh.
No matter which species you choose or how it’s prepared, you’ll want to serve side dishes that complement the flavors and texture of the fish and boost the nutritional content of the meal. Of course, you also want the meal to look beautiful on the plate.
Here are five great side dishes to turn your wild salmon entrée into a feast for even the most discerning diners.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a classic spring vegetable that pairs beautifully with the flavors and texture of salmon. An added bonus is the ease of preparation. If you’re grilling your salmon, you can do the same with your asparagus. Use medium to large stalks so they stay together on the grill.
For a more formal meal, try this beautiful light cheese sauce recipe from Southern Living. It won’t hide the freshness of the asparagus or overpower the flavors of the salmon. As a bonus, this recipe offers some tips on choosing the very best asparagus at the grocery store or farmer’s market.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a classic salmon side dish and are delicious in almost any style. But you can elevate your meal (and still please everyone at the table) with some simple recipes that add something special to the plate.
Serving crispy potatoes adds a delightful crunchy texture to your silky salmon. Oven-baked smashed potatoes with a surprise ingredient to make them even crispier are an excellent option from The Food Network. Or crisp up your potatoes with herbs in a skillet.
Dill is always a welcome accompaniment to wild salmon, so try this simple, lovely dish of boiled new potatoes, dill, and garlic.
If you have kids at your table, you can never go wrong with classic, creamy mashed potatoes as a side to your wild salmon entrée. Try mashing up some parsnip and rutabaga with your potatoes to give this comfort food a nutritional boost.
Roasted Vegetables
Wild salmon and roasted vegetables are a flavor, color, and textural match made in heaven. Some of our favorites include green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.
You can roast the veggies together with a spice blend you like, or separately to capture the unique flavors of each one. Brussels sprouts can be tossed with a little maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
Add some lemon juice, almonds, and parmesan cheese to your roasted green beans. A little garlic, some lemon juice, and the simple process of roasting turn broccoli into one of the most delicious roasted vegetables. It is also beautiful on the plate with wild salmon.
For an absolutely beautiful, versatile, delicious roasted vegetable medley, use this simple guide to roasting vegetables from Taste of Home.
Rice
Rice, like potatoes, is incredibly versatile. It’s also perfect for balancing the robust flavor of wild salmon. Kids may like simple steamed jasmine rice with a little butter or olive oil. More discerning palates may prefer a delicate lemon and broccoli risotto or fresh herbs and scallion rice.
Add a roasted vegetable and you have a delicious balanced meal that looks magnificent on the plate.
Summer Salads
We call these summer salads because they have the bright flavors of fresh vegetables. But nothing is stopping you from serving them all year as a perfect single-dish accompaniment to Copper River wild salmon.
What we look for in summer salads is a combination of bright, colorful vegetables and a real nutritional punch. These three are knock-outs.
Martha Stewart offers this recipe for tomato, corn, and avocado salad which is gorgeous. The ingredients are easy to find and the recipe is quick and simple to prepare.
Mediterranean flavors pair well with wild salmon, so this chickpea salad is a winner. It’s fresh and bright and easily adaptable to the tastes of your family.
We love this orzo salad for so many reasons. It combines orzo with fresh tomatoes, crunchy pistachios, basil pesto, and a touch of feta cheese. It’s beautiful on the plate and packs a flavor punch that’s a perfect accompaniment to your wild salmon.
We hope you’ll try some of these wonderful sides with your salmon. There is something for everyone and every season. Every meal can be a celebration with Copper River wild salmon and a complementary side dish or two.
Sources: The Food Network, Martha Stewart, The Kitchn, Southern Living, Delish, Taste of Home