What to Cook with Salmon? 15 Delicious Dishes You Can’t Miss

Are you wondering what to cook with salmon so that the whole family can enjoy its rich, aromatic flavor while ensuring nutrition? Salmon is not only rich in omega-3, protein, and vitamins but is also a versatile ingredient, easily prepared into many attractive dishes ranging from salads and sashimi to grilled, pan-seared, or hotpot dishes. In this article, Ola Squid will suggest 15 delicious, nutritious, and extremely easy-to-make salmon recipes.

1. What to cook with salmon?

Salmon is a rich, nutritious ingredient and a popular choice in cooking. From refreshing light snacks to hot cooked dishes or raw delicacies, salmon can become the highlight of any meal. If you are wondering what to cook with salmon, let’s explore some attractive suggestions below:

1.1. Salmon Salad

Ingredients to prepare:

• 200g salmon fillet
• 80g apple, 80g cucumber
• 100g green lolo lettuce, 80g cherry tomatoes
• 50g sprouts, 50g red radish
• 50g mayonnaise, 50g unsweetened yogurt
• 30ml apple juice, 40ml olive oil
• 15ml honey, 1.5 teaspoons minced parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon seasoning powder
• A little pepper and salt

How to make salmon salad:

• Before processing, you need to remove the fishy smell of the salmon by soaking it in fresh milk for 5-7 minutes or using lemon juice, then rinse and pat dry. Wash the green vegetables, apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and sprouts thoroughly, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. You can use a peeler to create thin slices for the cucumbers and radishes.
• Cut the salmon into bite-sized cubes, mix with pepper, 20 ml of olive oil, minced parsley, and seasoning powder. Then leave to marinate for about 3-5 minutes so the fish absorbs the spices evenly.
• Preheat the oven to 200°C and arrange the fish on a tray lined with parchment paper, keeping a distance between pieces to ensure even cooking. Bake for about 10 minutes until the fish is soft, fragrant, and still retains its natural richness.
• Continue to mix the yogurt, mayonnaise, apple juice, olive oil, and honey. Add a little salt and pepper to create a dressing that is both fragrant and light.
• Put the vegetables and fruit into a large bowl, then add the grilled salmon and drizzle the yogurt sauce evenly. Gently mix everything until well seasoned. Salmon salad has eye-catching colors, sweet soft fish meat, crispy fresh vegetables, and a light creamy yogurt sauce.

1.2. Salmon with Orange Sauce

Ingredients

• 300g salmon
• 1 fresh orange
• 1 garlic bulb, margarine
• 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce, a little salt and pepper

How to prepare salmon with orange sauce:

• First, remove the fish skin, wash it, and pat dry with a paper towel. Then marinate the fish with salt and pepper, rubbing evenly so the seasoning penetrates each piece.
• Heat the pan, add margarine until melted, then place the salmon in to sear, each side for about 2-3 minutes until the fish is just golden brown while still keeping its softness inside.
• Next, squeeze the fresh orange juice, remove the seeds, and mix with sugar, chili sauce, and honey. Take another pan, add a little margarine, sauté the garlic until fragrant, then pour the orange sauce mixture in and stir well.
• Finally, place the salmon back into the pan, drizzle the sauce over so the fish absorbs the flavor. Salmon with orange sauce is tender, absorbed in a sweet and aromatic orange flavor. The piece of fish melts in your mouth, creating a sensation that is both visually and palatably pleasing.

1.3. Salmon Porridge

Ingredients needed:

• 200g salmon fillet
• 70g mung beans, 100g jasmine rice
• 20g glutinous rice, 3 shallots
• 1 ginger root, a little cilantro
• 6 green onions
• 1.5 tablespoons cooking oil, 1/2 tablespoon fish sauce
• Sugar, MSG, seasoning powder, pepper

How to make nutritious salmon porridge:

• First, soak the mung beans and glutinous rice in warm water for 2-3 hours so they soften faster when cooking. Then, wash and drain. Put the rice, glutinous rice, and mung beans into a pot with about 1 liter of water and a little salt. You should cook on medium heat and stir frequently so the mixture is smooth.
• Next, wash the salmon and remove the fishy smell with diluted lemon juice, fresh milk, or a ginger-wine mixture. Dice the fish into cubes, then marinate with sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, and pepper for about 15 minutes to allow the fish to absorb the flavor.
• Peel and mince the ginger and shallots to sauté until fragrant. Wash and finely chop the green onions and cilantro.
• Then, put a pan on and add 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil, sautéing the ginger and shallots until fragrant. Add the salmon and stir-fry quickly over high heat until the meat tightens and turns from orange to light gray.
• In another pot, heat cooking oil and sauté the remaining ginger and shallots. Continue to add 1 liter of water, and season with sugar, seasoning powder, MSG, pepper, and fish sauce. When the water boils, add the softened rice, glutinous rice, and mung beans, then add the stir-fried salmon, stir well, and cook for another 1-2 minutes on low heat.
• Finally, ladle the porridge into a bowl and sprinkle green onions and cilantro on top. The salmon porridge is smooth, the mung beans are creamy, and the salmon is soft and sweet, fragrant with onion and ginger.

See more: How to cook Da Nang fish cake noodle soup easily, everyone will love it

1.4. Pan-Seared Salmon

Ingredients to prepare:

• 200g salmon fillet
• 1 lemon, 1 ginger root, 1 garlic bulb
• 2 tablespoons margarine, 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cornstarch

How to make pan-seared salmon:

• Wash the fish, pat dry, and marinate with soy sauce, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Then rub evenly to let the seasoning soak into each piece of fish and marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
• Next, heat the pan, add margarine to melt, and sear the fish for 1 minute on each side over high heat to keep the meat tender while the outside is slightly crispy. Then remove the fish to a plate.
• Mix cornstarch with water, sugar, lemon juice, and soy sauce. Next, heat the pan, melt the butter, sauté minced garlic and a few slices of ginger, and add shredded lemon zest. Pour the sauce mixture in and stir well until slightly thickened.
• Finally, drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the salmon, and decorate with a few slices of lemon or chili to enhance the flavor. The pan-seared salmon has crispy skin, soft rich meat inside, blending perfectly with the fragrant sweet and sour sauce, ensuring it’s attractive from the first bite.

1.5. Salmon Sashimi

Ingredients:

• 300g fresh salmon
• 20g pink ginger, 1 white radish
• 1 bunch of perilla leaves, 1 fresh lemon
• Salt, Japanese green mustard (wasabi), Japanese soy sauce

Instructions on how to make salmon sashimi:

• First, when you buy salmon, wash it and pat dry with a paper towel. Remove the fishy smell with water mixed with salt and lemon, then rinse gently with clean water. Then use a sharp knife to cut the fish into slices about 5 mm thick, with the skin side down. Slice close to the skin to remove it, keeping the fish slices beautiful and intact.
• Wash the perilla leaves and drain. Peel the white radish, grate it into small strands, and store it in the refrigerator to keep it crispy and sweet. Cut the pink ginger into thin slices to serve along with.
• Next, arrange the perilla leaves on a plate and place the salmon on top. Arrange the ginger and grated radish separately on a small plate, and prepare soy sauce and wasabi for dipping. The fresh soft salmon, with its glistening orange color, combined with the rich taste of soy sauce, the slight spiciness of wasabi, and the sweet crunch of the radish.

1.6. Claypot Braised Salmon

Ingredients:

• 300g salmon fillet
• 3 cloves of garlic, 1 chili
• 2 green onions, 2 shallots
• 100 ml unsweetened fresh milk
• 2 teaspoons cooking oil, 1 teaspoon sugar
• Fish sauce, pepper

How to cook claypot braised salmon:

• Soak the salmon in fresh milk for about 10 minutes to remove the fishy smell, then wash and cut into bite-sized pieces. Peel and mince the garlic and shallots, and wash and shred the chili. Wash and cut the green onions into segments.
• Marinate the salmon with fish sauce for about 20 minutes to absorb the flavor. Then, put a pan on the stove to sear the salmon quickly on each side for about 30 seconds.
• Next, sauté the shallots and garlic with cooking oil, and lightly caramelize the sugar until it has a cockroach-wing color. Add fish sauce and filtered water, bring to a boil, then put the salmon in to braise on low heat for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
• Finally, season again to taste and turn off the stove. Place the fish on a plate, and sprinkle with more pepper, green onions, and chili to enhance the flavor. Claypot braised salmon has a beautiful golden-brown color, the fish meat is rich and tender, savory, and perfectly balanced when eaten with hot rice.

>> Similar delicious dishes: What to cook with shark catfish? Collection of 12 delicious and nutritious dishes

1.7. Fried Salmon

Ingredients to prepare:

• 500g salmon fillet
• 1/2 egg white
• 2 leeks (paro onion), 60g cornstarch
• 1/2 onion, 1 clove minced garlic
• ¼ bell pepper (or horn chili)
• 1 teaspoon sugar, ⅔ teaspoon salt
• Cooking oil, salt, onion powder

Instructions on how to make fried salmon:

• Wash the salmon and pat dry, then cut into bite-sized squares. Dice the onion, cut the leeks into segments, and cut the bell pepper into strips.
• Put the fish in a bowl, season with salt, sugar, minced garlic, and onion powder, mix well, and marinate for about 30 minutes to absorb. Then add the egg white and stir gently to give the fish some adhesion when frying.
• Next, sprinkle cornstarch onto the fish, and mix well so the powder covers the surface evenly. Heat the oil, put the fish in to fry over medium heat until golden brown, and remove to drain the oil.
• Sauté the garlic, add the onion and stir quickly, then add the fried salmon and mix well. Finally, add the leeks and bell pepper, stir briefly, and turn off the stove. Fried salmon is crispy on the outside, soft and sweet inside, combined with the aroma of garlic and onions and the slight spiciness of the chili.

1.8. Salmon with Tomato Sauce

Ingredients needed:

• 200g salmon
• 3 shallots, 3 tomatoes
• 1 cup of coconut water, 1 lemon
• 2 stalks of cilantro, 1 chili
• 10g garlic, 2 teaspoons fish sauce, 1 teaspoon seasoning powder

Detailed instructions for salmon with tomato sauce:

• First, you need to remove the fishy smell of the salmon by quickly soaking it in lemon juice diluted with salt, then rinse and drain.
• Peel the garlic and shallots, and slice them thinly. Wash the tomatoes, remove the stems, and dice them.
• Next, marinate the fish with seasoning powder along with some of the garlic and shallots for about 10 minutes. Heat the pan with cooking oil and fry the fish until lightly golden on both sides, then remove to a plate.
• Then sauté the remaining garlic and shallots, add the tomatoes, and stir-fry until soft. Add coconut water, bring to a boil, then add the salmon and simmer on low heat until the sauce thickens. Season with fish sauce and seasoning powder to taste.
• Finally, arrange the fish on a plate, and sprinkle with cilantro and a few chili slices to enhance the flavor. The salmon is soft and rich, soaked in sweet and sour tomato sauce, creating a delicious dish.

1.9. Salmon Hotpot

Ingredients needed:

• 4 salmon heads
• 3 tomatoes, 3 green onions
• 200g sour bamboo shoots, 300g celery
• A little ginger, chili
• Minced lemongrass, minced garlic
• Salt, sugar, fish sauce, seasoning powder, white wine, cooking oil
• Side vegetables: shredded banana blossom, elephant ear stems (bac ha), water spinach, bean sprouts, and other preferred vegetables

Detailed instructions for salmon hotpot as follows:

• Wash the salmon heads with salt water, then soak with white wine and minced ginger to remove the fishy smell, rinse again, and drain. Marinate the heads with fish sauce, seasoning powder, and pepper.
• Cut the tomatoes into wedges, and cut the celery and green onions into segments. Blanch the sour bamboo shoots through boiling water, drain, and marinate lightly with sugar. Wash the side vegetables and drain.
• Then sauté the minced lemongrass and garlic, and remove to set aside. Put the salmon heads in to fry quickly until the outer surface is firm and slightly golden.
• Stir-fry some of the tomatoes with a little salt and sugar until soft, then add the sour bamboo shoots and stir well. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the salmon heads to cook, then add the tomato and bamboo shoot mixture. Afterward, season to taste and when the water boils again, add the remaining tomatoes, celery stalks, celery leaves, green onions, and chili.
• Finally, add the sautéed lemongrass and garlic to bring out the aroma, then turn off the stove. Salmon hotpot has a harmoniously sweet and sour broth, with a hint of lemongrass and garlic, and the fish heads are soft and rich without being fishy. Serve with fresh vegetables and vermicelli or noodles for a more complete flavor.

1.10. Salmon Poke Salad

Ingredients:

• 100g salmon
• 100g tuna, ½ avocado
• A little green onion, ¼ red onion
• 2 teaspoons ponzu sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons roasted sesame seeds, 1/2 teaspoon salt
• A little finely grated ginger

How to prepare salmon poke salad:

• Soak the salmon and tuna in diluted salt water for a few minutes to clean, then rinse and cut into bite-sized pieces. Separate the avocado flesh and cut it into cubes. Slice the onion thinly, wash the green onions, and cut into short segments.
• Then put the fish, avocado, and vegetables into a large bowl and add soy sauce, ponzu sauce, sesame oil, and roasted sesame seeds. Add the grated ginger and salt, and mix gently so the ingredients are evenly seasoned while still maintaining their freshness.
• Salmon poke salad has a natural fresh sweetness, blending with the creamy avocado and the light aroma of sesame oil dressing. The dish is best when consumed immediately, and can be served with hot rice or used as an appetizer, both are very attractive.

>>> See more: What to cook with marble goby? List of 7 savory delicious dishes

1.11. Salmon with Passion Fruit Sauce

Ingredients

• 200g salmon
• 100g asparagus
• 10g garlic, 6 passion fruits
• A little tapioca starch, 1 tablespoon white wine
• Salt, seasoning powder, cooking oil, sugar, pepper

How to prepare salmon with passion fruit sauce:

• First, rub the salmon gently with salt and white wine to remove the smell, wash, and pat dry. Marinate the fish with salt, pepper, and a little cooking oil for about 15-20 minutes to soak in the seasoning.
• Cut off the old stems of the asparagus and wash thoroughly. Peel, crush, and mince the garlic. Extract the passion fruit pulp, filter it for juice, and mix with sugar and salt for a balanced sweet and sour taste.
• Sauté the garlic with cooking oil, add the asparagus and stir-fry quickly until just cooked, then remove to a plate. Then boil the passion fruit juice, add the diluted tapioca starch and stir well over low heat until the sauce is smooth, then turn off the stove.
• Next, heat oil in a pan, add crushed garlic to create an aroma, and sear the salmon until golden brown on both sides. Arrange the asparagus on a plate, place the salmon on top, and drizzle with passion fruit sauce. The fish meat is soft and rich combined with the gentle sweet and sour sauce, creating a fresh flavor that is very easy to eat.

1.12. Salmon Floss

Ingredients

• 500g salmon fillet (skinless)
• 1 ginger root, 2 lemongrass stalks
• 500ml unsweetened fresh milk
• Salt, seasoning powder, pepper, wine, white onions

Simple way to make salmon floss:

• Wash the salmon, keep it in whole pieces, and soak with fresh milk and a little salt for about 20 minutes to remove the fishy smell. Then remove and pat dry. Peel and shred the ginger, and wash and cut the white onions into segments to steam with the fish.
• Next, marinate the fish with salt, seasoning powder, and pepper to taste, and place it on a steamer tray along with the ginger and onion for aroma. Steam until the fish is cooked, then let it cool and separate the meat, removing all bones completely.
• Put the fish meat into a pan, turn on medium heat, use chopsticks to stir well, and break the fish into fibers. Then add seasoning to taste and roast until the floss is dry and fluffy. Note that you should avoid roasting for too long so the floss doesn’t become dry and hard, losing its natural sweetness.
• Salmon floss has a natural pale pink color, a light aroma, and a harmonious sweet and salty taste. This dish is very delicious and convenient when served with hot rice, porridge, or sticky rice.

1.13. Grilled Salmon

Ingredients:

• 2 fresh salmon steaks (about 400g)
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt, black pepper
• Minced parsley (optional)

Instructions for grilling salmon:

• Wash the salmon, pat dry, and marinate evenly with salt and pepper. Let the fish rest for about 10 minutes to absorb the seasoning.
• Melt the butter, and sauté the minced garlic until lightly fragrant. Then turn off the stove, add lemon juice and olive oil, and stir well to create a fragrant sauce mixture.
• Next, preheat the air fryer at 180°C for 5 minutes. Brush the garlic butter sauce evenly over the fish, put it into a tray lined with baking paper, and grill for 7-10 minutes depending on thickness. If you want the fish to be crispier and golden, increase the heat to 200°C for the final few minutes.
• When the fish is cooked, take it out and sprinkle with parsley if desired. The dish is best served hot, with a salad or grilled vegetables.

1.14. Sour Salmon Soup

Ingredients needed:

• 500g salmon heads
• 5 okra pods, 2 tomatoes
• 1 block of ripe tamarind, 1/4 pineapple
• 200g elephant ear stems, 100g bean sprouts
• Salt, fish sauce, pepper, sugar, MSG

How to cook sour salmon soup:

• Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges, and cut the okra into bite-sized segments. Peel the elephant ear stems and cut diagonally. Clean the bean sprouts and drain, and peel and thinly slice the pineapple.
• Soak the tamarind in warm water and mash it to extract the juice. Cut the salmon heads into segments, wash with diluted salt water, then remove the fishy smell with white wine and crushed ginger before rinsing again.
• Next, marinate the salmon heads with salt, fish sauce, minced garlic, and chili for about 10 minutes to absorb the seasoning evenly.
• Sauté the minced garlic with cooking oil, and add the tomatoes to stir-fry gently to create color. Continue to add filtered water, bring to a boil, then add the salmon and tamarind juice to cook for 15-20 minutes. When the fish is cooked, add okra, elephant ear stems, pineapple, and bean sprouts in order, season to taste, cook for another 2 minutes, then turn off the stove.
• Then ladle the soup into a bowl, and sprinkle a little pepper before enjoying. Sour salmon soup is best when served hot, accompanied by white rice and a small bowl of savory chili fish sauce.

1.15. Steamed Salmon

Ingredients needed:

• 150g salmon
• 10g green onions, 10g ginger
• 1 horn chili, 5g minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon wine
• 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

How to make salmon steamed with soy sauce:

• First, when you buy the salmon, clean it and make light cuts on the surface so the fish cooks quickly and absorbs the seasoning. Thinly shred the ginger, horn chili, and green onions.
• Mix the soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, and sugar together. Then drizzle half of the sauce over the fish, rub evenly, and marinate for about 15 minutes.
• Arrange the fish on a plate, spread the ginger and chili on top, and drizzle the remaining sauce. Cover tightly and steam for about 15 minutes until the fish is soft and cooked. Once cooked, open the wrap and sprinkle green onions on the surface.
• Next, heat the cooking oil, sauté the minced garlic until golden and fragrant, then pour it directly over the fish plate to release the aroma.
• Steamed salmon with soy sauce has a light, refreshing taste, fragrant with ginger and onion, and dipping it in soy sauce makes it even richer. This low-oil dish is suitable when served hot with white rice.

Must-try delicious dish: What to cook with anchovies? Suggestions for 17 simple dishes

2. Nutritional value of salmon

Salmon, especially the fillet, is not only delicious but also very rich in nutrients beneficial to health:

• Abundant Omega-3: Supports eye health, prevents eye strain, reduces the risk of macular degeneration, enhances memory, and aids brain development in young children.
• Quality Protein: Helps build muscle, supports wound recovery, and increases body endurance.
• Selenium: Antioxidant, protects cells from free radicals, helps slow down the aging process, and reduces the risk of cancer.
• Vitamins A, B, D,…: Strengthens the immune system, participates in cell formation, and helps the body absorb nutrients effectively.
• Healthy Fats: Provides energy, reduces bad cholesterol, enhances cardiovascular health, and prevents stroke.

3. Tips for choosing fresh salmon

When buying salmon fillets, you should pay attention to several signs below:

• Choose pieces of fish that have a bright orange or bright pink color, with bright white fat veins that are even and smooth.
• The fish meat must be firm, have good elasticity, and when pressed, the indentation quickly recovers.
• The fillet surface should be dry, not leaking fluid, and without any foul or strange smells.
• Avoid choosing fillets with pale, mushy meat, or fat veins that are cloudy or dark, which are signs the fish has been sitting for a long time or is stale.
• Prioritize buying frozen fish from reputable supermarkets and stores to ensure quality.

As for whole salmon, you should:

• Choose fish with shiny scales, a black back, and a white belly.
• The eyes should be clear and not sunken; if the eyes are cloudy and the back turns pale, the fish may be stale.
• The fish body should be firm, not soft and mushy, with a natural aroma.

4. Instructions on how to prepare salmon correctly

To make salmon dishes delicious and keep their natural sweet flavor, the preliminary processing step is extremely important, especially removing the fishy smell. Here are three simple and effective ways to process salmon:

• Fresh Milk: Soak the salmon in fresh milk for about 5 minutes, then rinse. This is a popular method that helps the fish smell fragrant, removes the fishy odor, while still maintaining its natural soft sweetness.
• Ginger and White Wine: Crush fresh ginger, mix it with a little white wine, and then roll the salmon through this mixture for about 1-2 minutes. Then rinse with water; the fishy smell will be significantly removed.
• Lemon and Salt Water: Dilute salt water with lemon juice, use this mixture to gently roll the salmon pieces, then rinse with clean water before processing.

With the suggestions for salmon dishes above, we hope it has helped you answer the question “what to cook with salmon,” so you can prepare many dishes for your family. To learn more attractive recipes, visit the Ola Squid Blog now to discover countless delicious dishes, detailed instructions, and extremely useful cooking tips! After enjoying these salmon dishes, if you are looking for another high-quality seafood treat, don’t forget to check out our premium whole dried squid at OlaSquid.