Healthy salmon recipes (2024)

Looking for healthy salmon recipes to get you through the week? We've got plenty of ideas, including high-protein, gut-friendly and low-calorie options, as well as more salmon recipes. If salmon isn't your thing, why not try some of our other healthy fish creations? If you're looking to make your favourite meals, healthier, check out our 15 healthy swaps for inspiration.

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Why is salmon healthy?

Salmon is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which both have a wide array of health benefits, including reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure, supporting healthy skin, and improving heart and brain function. It also offers a form of protein that supports muscle growth, wound healing and healthy ageing, and contains B vitamins, potassium and selenium, as well as the antioxidant astaxanthin (this gives the fish its red pigment).

Consuming at least two portions of salmon a week can help you meet your omega-3 fatty acid requirements.

Our best healthy salmon recipes

Cajun salmon with rosemary sweet potato wedges

This easy salmon recipe packs a punch, with its spicy Cajun seasoning and rosemary sweet potato wedges alongside. Providing 39.5g of protein, as well as skin-healthy beta carotene and potassium, this is a great a midweek meal for two.

Healthy salmon pasta

Reduced-fat crème fraîche ensures this creamy pasta dish by Nadine Brown stays healthy. Served with peas, it's seasoned with dill and lemon zest for freshness.

More like this

Miso salmon

Shake up dinnertime with this gut-healthy salmon dish flavoured with miso, rice vinegar and ginger. Miso is a Japanese seasoning made by fermenting beans with koji. It’s rich in healthy probiotics and packed with minerals such as iron, calcium and phosphorus, as well as stress-busting B vitamins.

Pan-fried salmon with watercress sauce

Our pan-fried salmon with watercress sauce is light, zesty and ready in just 20 minutes. Watercress is loaded with vitamins A, C and K. Long-stemmed broccoli adds folate (folic acid) and fibre. Plus, this dish only contains 0.6g of salt – great for those watching their sodium levels.

Healthy fish cakes

High-protein salmon fishcakes are flavoured with red chilli, lime and ginger to create a stand-out fish supper.

Asparagus and salmon parcels

Wrap salmon in parcels with asparagus, dill and capers to create a buttery meal full of nutrients. Asparagus is a good source of vitamin K and folate, as well as vitamins C and E. Butter offers a great source of butyrate – a short-chain fatty acid that benefits your gut and brain health.

Check out more seasonal asparagus recipes.

Lime and pistachio salmon with salsa greens

Make salmon shine with greens dressed in a vibrant lime and toasted pistachio salsa. Pistachios are packed with vitamin B6, which is important for hormonal balance and mental well-being. Edamame are rich in plant protein, antioxidants and fibre. Don't forget a dollop of calcium-rich Greek yogurt on top.

Poached salmon with green herb and mustard sauce

Poach salmon fillets, then serve with a tarragon, parsley and Dijon mustard sauce. Low in calories and ready in 20 minutes, this is a great midweek meal. Make this extra gut-healthy by cooking the potatoes the night before and reheating to serve. This increases the amount of resistant starch, which is beneficial for your gut bacteria.

Chilli-salt salmon with chopped salad

Try this simple marinated salmon for a heart-healthy meal. This colourful recipe is not only easy to make, but it's low in saturated fats. It offers a mix of antioxidant-rich vegetables, such as celery, cucumber and tomatoes.

Ginger salmon en papillote

Combine fresh ginger and chilli for a kick of flavour and antioxidants. Serve with wilted pak choi for added fibre and top with calcium-rich sesame seeds.

Cajun-blackened salmon with crunchy green slaw

This Cajun-blackened salmon has a smoked, spicy flavour that balances nicely with the creamy, crunchy homemade slaw. This nourishing dish is low in carbs and ready to eat in under 30 minutes.

Salmon traybake

Traybakes are midweek saviours, and this vibrant curried salmon dish is full of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants – great for a healthy mind and skin. Serve as-is or add a nutritious grain, like brown rice or spelt.

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Tracey Raye is the health editor for olive and BBC Good Food. Tracey, MSc, is a registered nutritionist, holding a master’s degree in Personalised Nutrition. She is passionate about harnessing the power of all things health and wellbeing - in a way that enhances, rather than limits our lives. She covers our nourishing recipes and collections, oversees our health strategy and stays adrift of the latest health and lifestyle trends – in order to bring you the tools and inspiration you need to find what health means for you.

Healthy salmon recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat salmon? ›

Poached Salmon is the healthiest way to cook salmon and will be ready in just 10 minutes! Although it seems fancy, this poached salmon recipe is crazy simple and rewards a tender, delicate, flaky piece of salmon that is light and refreshing.

What is the tastiest way to cook salmon? ›

Salmon Method: Poached in Olive Oil

Heat over low heat until the oil reaches 120 degrees F, at which point you'll transfer the entire pan to a 225-degree F preheated oven for 25 minutes. Results: I will admit that this method yielded the best-tasting salmon — but what would you expect from cooking something in fat?

What can I put on salmon to make it taste better? ›

Our favorite spices to use with this type of fish are paprika, chile/chili powder, garlic powder/salt, cumin, onion, and ginger. You can also shop store-bought salmon rub like our Traeger Fin & Feather Rub, Anything Rub, and Traeger Rub.

What is the best way to cook salmon without drying it out? ›

One surefire way to make sure your salmon isn't dry is to poach it. Cooking it slowly in liquid will infuse the fish with flavor and make it very tender.

Is there a downside to eating salmon? ›

Eating large amounts of salmon and other fish could expose you to cancer-causing chemicals, or carcinogens. Fish get these chemicals by swimming in polluted water. Although both wild and farmed salmon carry this risk, the benefit-risk ratio for wild salmon is significantly greater. Nervous system damage.

Is it better to bake or pan fry salmon? ›

For smaller, crispy, skin-on Salmon; a crispy pan sear is recommended. For bigger fillets, and succulent, skin-off King Salmon; the best method would be cooking in an oven.

Should I cook salmon with butter or oil? ›

A seared fish necessity. Butter + Oil. Butter makes everything better, and the oil is key for helping create the crispy exterior. Make sure to use an oil with a high smoke point like canola, grapeseed, or avocado oil to avoid burning it.

What not to do when cooking salmon? ›

5 Common Mistakes That We All Make When Cooking Salmon
  1. Not removing pin bones. Fact: Most salmon fillets have pin bones in them. ...
  2. Mistreating the skin. ...
  3. Using the wrong pan. ...
  4. Overcooking your fish. ...
  5. Reheating leftover salmon.
May 17, 2021

What should I season salmon with? ›

Spices: Dried spices, such as onion powder, garlic powder, and cumin, can add depth of flavor to salmon. Smoked paprika or sweet paprika can add smokiness to the salmon. To add heat, try chili powder, cayenne pepper, jerk seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or Chinese five-spice powder.

What kills the fishy taste in salmon? ›

How to Control Salmon's Fishiness with a Milk Bath. You can also lessen salmon's strong flavor by soaking it in a milk bath for 20 minutes and then draining it and patting it dry before cooking. The casein in milk binds to the TMA, and when drained away, it takes the culprit that causes fishy odor with it.

What happens if you don't rinse salmon before cooking? ›

Salmon does not need to be rinsed before cooking, says Dr. Farzad, who points out that, “food safety guidelines suggest that rinsing meat including fish/salmon can increase the risk of spreading pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria around your kitchen.”

What should I put on top of my salmon? ›

A creamy but slightly tangy sauce works really well with salmon, and it's why sour cream-dill sauce over salmon is such a classic. Try mixing in curry powder, Sriracha, or scallions into yogurt or crème fraîche for an easy, elegant salmon topper.

Is it better to bake salmon at 350 or 400? ›

What is the best temperature to bake salmon? 400°F (205°C) is ideal as it allows the fish to gain colour and the skin to become crispy. If you prefer a milder method, you can bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until done. The salmon baked at 425°F (215°C) produces tender, creamy fillets that cook quickly.

Is it better to eat salmon with or without skin? ›

Yes, salmon skin is good for you. Salmon skin holds the aforementioned nutrients, plus natural fish oil, which can help lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, reduce arthritic pain, and help prevent heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What is the best way to cook salmon without losing nutrients? ›

However, microwaving is a fast and relatively low-temperature cooking method. Because of this, it can actually preserve some nutrients better than some other cooking methods. In fact, many studies have found that microwaving fish can help prevent the loss of its healthy omega-3 fatty acids ( 45 , 48 , 54 ).

What is the healthiest source of salmon? ›

There are many different types of salmon — specifically, five types of Pacific salmon and two types of Atlantic salmon. These days, Atlantic salmon is typically farmed, while Pacific salmon species are primarily wild-caught. Wild-caught Pacific salmon are typically considered to be the healthiest salmon.

Can eat salmon everyday? ›

Overall, salmon is very safe to eat, though it can contain mercury, parasites, unhealthy bacteria, and industrial contaminants depending on how and where it was raised. To reduce the (already negligible) risks of eating salmon, buy from providers you trust and limit your raw fish intake to one or two times a week.

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