100 Ways to Cook with Salmon

February 01, 2013
Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
You won't fall short on ways to enjoy this flavorful and delicious fish.
Start Slideshow

1 of 100

Cooking with Salmon

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Cedar Plank-Grilled Salmon with Mango Kiwi Salsa

Salmon not only tastes delicious, but it's also a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and B. Nearly any time of year, you can find at least one variety of this flavorful fish that's in season. Pacific varieties are best from early summer through fall, while Atlantic salmon sees a slightly longer season from summer through early winter. No matter which variety you prefer, you'll be cooking it up in style with this extensive collection of healthy salmon recipes.

First up, Cedar Plank-Grilled Salmon with Mango Kiwi Salsa. Since the skin won't be in direct contact with the grill to get nice and crisp, go with skinless fillets. The smoky fish can stand up to the spicy sweetness  of a tropical fruit salsa. Prepare it before the fish so the flavors have time to meld.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 100

Plank-Grilled Salmon with Grape Relish

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Plank-Grilled Salmon with Grape Relish

Serve this dish with pinot noir. Briny olives, sweet grapes, and rich salmon match well with the balance of earthiness and acidity found in a pinot noir. Substitute picholine or other green olives, if necessary.

3 of 100

Salmon with Spinach Salad and Miso Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Salmon with Spinach Salad and Miso Vinaigrette

The gingery vinaigrette in this dish is also delicious with a steak salad. Wild Alaskan salmon is a sure sustainable choice. Avoid farmed salmon.

Advertisement

4 of 100

Hoisin-Glazed Salmon Burgers with Pickled Cucumber

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Hoisin-Glazed Salmon Burgers with Pickled Cucumber

Quick-pickled cukes give these burgers tart crunch. Panko and egg white hold the patties together. Use cilantro leaves on the burgers as you would lettuce for herby freshness.

5 of 100

Grilled King Salmon with Tomato-Peach Salsa

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Grilled King Salmon with Tomato-Peach Salsa

Use a peach that’s just ripe so it’s juicy but still holds its shape. King (also called chinook) salmon is the best quality and works well in this dish, though sockeye works too.

6 of 100

Smoked Salmon in Cucumber Boats

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Smoked Salmon in Cucumber Boats

You can make the salmon mixture up to a day in advance. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a more finished look.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 100

Barbecue Salmon and Snap Pea Slaw

Credit: Photo: Francesco Tonelli
View Recipe: Barbecue Salmon and Snap Pea Slaw

Salmon is low in calories and rich in healthy fats. It goes beautifully with a sweet, salty, spicy glaze and this ingenious crunchy slaw.

8 of 100

Pan-Grilled Salmon with Red Pepper Salsa

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Pan-Grilled Salmon with Red Pepper Salsa

This vibrant salmon recipe is pretty when plated and delicious when devoured. It might just be your new go-to salmon recipe.

9 of 100

Crispy Salmon and Arugula Salad with Carrot-Ginger Vinaigrette

Credit: Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine
View Recipe: Crispy Salmon and Arugula Salad with Carrot-Ginger Vinaigrette

This dressing is so fresh, so addictive, you might want to spoon it over everything. Simply made from a base of carrots and orange juice, it has Asian overtones, as does the salad, with its droplets of roasted sesame oil and rice vinegar. This sophisticated dish comes together quickly and is a great, healthy option for the family..

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 100

Salmon and Bok Choy

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Salmon and Bok Choy

Light, sweet, and salty flavors come to play in this delicious meal. Vibrant bok choy is the perfect bed for broiled salmon, but the best part is how quickly this recipe comes together.

11 of 100

Grilled Salmon and Brown Butter Couscous

Credit: Photo: Mary Britton Senseney/Wonderful Machine
View Recipe: Grilled Salmon and Brown Butter Couscous

Flavorful grilled salmon is served alongside fluffy couscous and fresh summer squash. For a simple substitution, use thick slices of yellow squash and zucchini in place of baby squash.

12 of 100

Wasabi Salmon Burgers with Edamame-Cilantro Pesto

Credit: Photo: Jeff Kauck
View Recipe: Wasabi Salmon Burgers with Edamame-Cilantro Pesto

Tofu binds the ingredients together in this salmon dish. Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) yields a crisp crust on these juicy burgers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 100

Seared Salmon with Wilted Spinach

Credit: Photo: Kiyoshi Togashi
View Recipe: Seared Salmon with Wilted Spinach

A thicker center-cut salmon fillet will yield best results in this preparation. Sautéed grape tomatoes add a hint of sweetness.

14 of 100

Salmon Sandwiches

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Salmon Sandwiches

Not only delicious, but sustainable too, Alaskan salmon tastes divine when nestled between two slices of bread and topped with a yogurt sauce made with fresh mint.

15 of 100

Salmon with Red Pepper Pesto

View Recipe: Salmon with Red Pepper Pesto

If you don't like the bite of raw garlic, drop the clove in boiling water for 1 minute to blanch, then proceed with the pesto.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 100

Smoked Salmon Dip

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Smoked Salmon Dip

We cut the calories and sat fat typically found in this dish in half by using light cream cheese and sour cream.

17 of 100

Grilled Salmon with Chorizo and Fingerlings

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Grilled Salmon with Chorizo and Fingerlings

Smoked paprika emphasizes the grilled flavor of the fish, while Spanish chorizo adds a smokiness to the dish.

18 of 100

Smoked Salmon and Egg Sandwich

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Smoked Salmon and Egg Sandwich

This decadent sandwich would be perfect for brunch. Look for salmon that's labeled "wild Alaskan," and you can be sure you're getting sustainable seafood. You can also use soft-boiled eggs in place of the poached eggs.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 100

Maple-Glazed Salmon

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Maple-Glazed Salmon

Put together a big batch of the spice rub, and keep it in an airtight container; use it to add flavor to meat and fish on weeknights. Serve with Tomato-Dill Couscous.

20 of 100

Seared Salmon with Jalapeño Ponzu

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Seared Salmon with Jalapeño Ponzu

Simply prepared, with just a little heat, this is a quick and easy recipe that plays up everything salmon has to offer.

21 of 100

Smoked Salmon Sandwiches with Ginger Relish

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Smoked Salmon Sandwiches with Ginger Relish

You'll love everything about this sandwich. From the crunchy whole-wheat baguette to the sweet and tangy relish—not to mention the flavorful smoked salmon—you'll be raving about this one.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 100

Grilled Salmon with Smoky Tomato Salsa

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Grilled Salmon with Smoky Tomato Salsa

The salsa brings the heat as a topping to the salmon, but if you prefer a milder relish, remove seeds from the jalapeño before grilling. Serve with lime wedges for a pretty presentation.

23 of 100

Smoked Salmon Thin-Crust Pizza

Credit: Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Smoked Salmon Thin-Crust Pizza

The crisp cracker crust of this pizza makes a pleasing contrast to the velvety soft salmon.

24 of 100

Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Pineapple Teriyaki Salmon

For a delicious teriyaki salmon dinner, check out this Asian-inspired salmon recipe featuring a glaze made from pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and orange zest.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 100

Broiled Salmon Fillets with Curried Chutney Sauce

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Broiled Salmon Fillets with Curried Chutney Sauce

This quick sweet-and-sour sauce puts chutney to good use, while cider vinegar and curry powder add tang and deepen the flavor. The sauce also pairs well with grilled chicken breasts.

26 of 100

Open-Faced Smoked Salmon Sandwich

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Open-Faced Smoked Salmon Sandwich

This sandwich is basically a riff on Hawaii's beloved lomi-lomi salmon, a salad of salted fish and tomatoes.

27 of 100

Tomato-Citrus Salmon

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Tomato-Citrus Salmon

Tangy tomatoes, sweet oranges, and briny olives bring lively color and bold flavor to this simple dish.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 100

Indian-Spiced Salmon with Basmati Rice

Credit: Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Indian-Spiced Salmon with Basmati Rice

"The Indian-Spiced Salmon and Nutty Basmati Rice were both great!" said reader Connie Hendon. "They were easy to prepare and did not require a lot of time. I simply cooked some fresh green beans to go with these two dishes, and we had an easy, complete meal. My family loved them. Oh, and of course no one noticed that it did not have gluten."

29 of 100

Marinated Salmon with Mango-Kiwi Relish

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Marinated Salmon with Mango-Kiwi Relish

Marinate salmon fillets in a homemade mixture of honey, soy sauce, and olive oil, cook in a grill pan or skillet, and serve with a homemade fruit relish for an easy salmon entrée with a tropical twist. Pair with mixed greens and steamed couscous for a complete meal.

30 of 100

Smoked Salmon with Tangy Horseradish Sauce

Credit: Photo: Jonny Valiant
View Recipe: Smoked Salmon with Tangy Horseradish Sauce

Although smoked Irish salmon is traditional, any smoked salmon will work in this dish―just make sure to purchase smoked wild salmon ­because it’s a sustainable choice.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 100

Broiled Salmon with Marmalade-Dijon Glaze

Credit: Photo: Lee Harrelson
View Recipe: Broiled Salmon with Marmalade-Dijon Glaze

Although quick enough for a hectic weeknight, this broiled salmon dish will impress guests. Serve with salad and roasted potatoes.

32 of 100

Sweet Orange Salmon

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Sweet Orange Salmon

Eight ingredients combine in a spice rub that would also be good on pork tenderloin medallions. Serve this flavorful salmon dish with orange wedges.

33 of 100

Grilled Salmon and Spinach Salad

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Grilled Salmon and Spinach Salad

The citrus vinaigrette blends well with the smoky salmon, sweet orange slices, and crisp spinach in this super fast, super healthy recipe.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 100

Cedar Plank-Grilled Salmon with Avocado-Orange Salsa

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Cedar Plank-Grilled Salmon with Avocado-Orange Salsa

Serve this smoky, flavorful salmon with Roasted Asparagus with Dijon-Lemon Sauce to round out the meal.

35 of 100

Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon

Credit: Photo: Sang An
View Recipe: Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon

Use any combination of herbs you like for this easy and tasty starter. We chose the trio of chives, tarragon, and dill, but feel free to use your culinary imagination for this one.

36 of 100

Salmon with Spicy Cucumber Salad and Peanuts

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Salmon with Spicy Cucumber Salad and Peanuts

The spicy-sweet vinegar dressing in the salad complements the salmon seasoned with just salt and pepper. To easily seed the cucumber, peel, cut in half lengthwise, and scrape the seeds out with a spoon.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 100