30 Healthy Salmon Recipes (+ Easy Dinners for Weight Loss)

Trying to incorporate healthier proteins into your diet? These healthy salmon recipes will help you do just that!

Salmon is one of the most nutritious seafood choices you can make. It also doesn’t hurt that it’s downright delicious!

Firm and subtly sweet, this fish is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and more. 

You’ll also be happy to hear it cooks super fast and it’s highly versatile.

From poached to baked, grilling to frying, the possibilities are endless.

Keep it light with lemon garlic or go all out with tacos.

These healthy salmon recipes are a great addition to your weekly routine.

1. Air Fryer Salmon Patties

Move over crab cakes, these air fryer salmon patties are where it’s at!

These plump patties are jam-packed with salmon, parsley, and garlic.

Unlike other patties, there are no eggs or breadcrumbs for binding, just a tablespoon of flour. 

Do you know what that means? They’re loaded with protein and Omega-3s!

Pair them with a salad or slap them on a burger.

Or nix the sides altogether and dip them in the Cajun aioli sauce.

2. Cajun Honey Butter Grilled Salmon

Have you been hemming and hawing about how to grill your salmon? Your answer is right here. 

The contrast between Cajun seasoning and sweet honey butter is top-notch.

Salmon and butter aside, everything you need is in your pantry. 

So, what are you waiting for? Fire up the grill and let’s get cooking! 

3. Perfect 15-Minute Grilled Salmon

Tired of ruining a beautiful salmon filet on the grill?

Follow these three easy steps and you’ll cook salmon perfectly every time.

Flaky and tender, these picture-perfect filets are cooked as they should be.

The five-ingredient seasoning is spot-on, too.

There are no creamy sauces or fancy frills to pile on the calories, just salmon with a simple seasoning. 

4. Air Fryer Salmon

When you can’t fire up the grill, heat up the air fryer instead. 

It’s a healthy way to cook salmon that takes all the guesswork out of the equation. 

All you have to do is prep the filets with butter and spices. You also want to line the air fryer in foil. 

Then, place the filets inside, and your salmon will be ready in about 10 minutes.

5. Healthy Lemon Garlic Salmon

Fast meals that are also healthy and enticing can be hard to come by. That’s why this one is worth saving. 

Lemon, garlic, and dill are a clean and flawless way to season salmon.

As for the cooking, it doesn’t take a whole lot of brain power. 

Pan-fry on each side for a few minutes and it’s ready.

6. Light Lemon Garlic Pasta with Salmon

You’ll love everything about this dish! 

From the tender rigatoni to the flaky salmon, this pasta dinner is the light and healthy meal you need in your life.

And with only a 30-minute total prep time, you can enjoy it on repeat. 

7. Sheet Pan Sweet Chili Salmon and Veggies 

Here’s an every-night-of-the-week sort of meal that will save you in a pinch. 

You load up a baking sheet with salmon, asparagus, and bell peppers, then season everything.

From there, the oven can handle the rest. 

The veggies are customizable and the sauce is, too. That means more options to suit your cravings!

8. Creamy Cajun Stuffed Salmon

Date nights, holidays, or weeknights, these Cajun stuffed salmon are fantastic for a bunch of occasions. 

On the outside, you have a crispy layer of Cajun seasoning. Dig inside and you’ll find a cheesy Cajun filling. 

And guess how long it will take you? Just 30 minutes!

9. One-Pan Salmon Asparagus

Asparagus is the perfect vegetable for salmon.

Not only does the flavor pair swimmingly, but they cook around the same time. 

Give each a dollop of herby garlic lemon butter, top with an additional slice of lemon, and pop it in the oven.

As it cooks, all the flavors will meld together making it one irresistible dish.

10. Creamy Salmon Pasta

Here’s a satiating salmon pasta the whole family will agree on. 

An entire pound of salmon and al dente pasta gets smothered in a creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

From carbs to protein to vitamins, it has a bounty of nutrients that your body needs. 

11. Miso Salmon

Miso is a popular Japanese fermented condiment that offers a slew of health benefits.

It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and it’s gut-friendly.

Not only that, but it tastes great with salmon!

If you’re new to miso, the white variety is a good place to start due to the milder and sweeter flavor. 

Mix it with tamari, ginger, and mirin for the ultimate Asian salmon sauce. 

12. Salmon Sandwiches

My mouth is watering just thinking about this juicy jumbo sandwich!

It’s a healthier alternative to eating a burger and just as filling. Plus, it doesn’t take long at all. 

Rub the filets with seasoning, toss them on the grill, and less than 10 minutes later they’re done.

You can slap them on a bun with arugula, tartar sauce, and sliced pickles. Or, go with your favorite fixings. 

13. Skillet Salmon Potato Hash

Do you know what I’m really looking forward to this weekend? Skillet salmon potato hash!

This rustic feast is a fresh medley of potatoes, bell peppers, spinach, onions, and salmon.

All it needs now is a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.

With all those ingredients, it’s a hearty and wholesome breakfast that’s a powerhouse of energy.  

As for the caloric content, it’s a low-calorie breakfast.

A single serving is less than 200 calories, and it’s Weight Watchers approved. 

14. Baked Salmon with Garlic and Dijon

Making a juicy salmon dinner is so easy with this recipe. 

Mix Dijon, garlic, lemon, and parsley for a punchy marinade, then coat your filets.

After that, all you have to do is bake. 

Baking salmon is way healthier than frying it and it’s easier, too. 

Need a healthy side to round out the meal? 

Go with something easy like roasted sheet pan veggies or a fresh salad.

15. Pan-Fried Salmon

If you do prefer to pan-fry your salmon, here’s how to do it. 

If you do prefer to pan-fry your salmon, here’s how to do it. 

You use enough olive oil and butter to coat the pan, then fry the filets skin side down. After a few minutes, flip. 

You can season it with garlic and thyme or keep it simple with just salt and pepper. 

No matter what seasoning you use, a little squeeze of lemon is in order right before serving.

16. Easy Honey Garlic Salmon

A handful of pantry staples is all you need to make this honey garlic salmon. 

The sauce calls for five ingredients and the whole thing takes 20 minutes to throw together. 

Give the salmon a quick pan-fry in browned butter, then plop it under the broiler.

The sweet, umami, and garlicky sauce will crisp up for a beautiful caramelized layer.  

With all that flavor going on, a simple side of white rice is all you need to go with it.

17. Super-Simple Salmon Tacos with Juicy Citrus Salsa

If I was forced to choose just one healthy salmon recipe as my favorite, this very well could be it. 

I mean, just look at these gorgeous fish tacos!

Each corn tortilla comes loaded with big chunks of chili-rubbed salmon and vivacious orange avocado salsa. 

They’re fresh, healthy, gluten-free, and perfect if you ask me. 

18. Baked Salmon with Maple Mustard Glaze

The sweet and spicy glaze on this salmon has got some bite!

The process is as simple as mixing the glaze, coating the salmon, then baking. 

You can feed a crowd with this dish or cut it in half for a smaller serving.

However you serve it, it’s a super simple way to prepare a tantalizing salmon filet. 

19. Lemon Butter Salmon with Rice Pilaf

This is one of the best salmon recipes for a light and simple dinner. 

Between the zesty veggie pilaf and lemon butter salmon, it’s one satiating dish. 

At 580 calories, it leaves you feeling perfectly full without the need to eat more.

Although, if you do want seconds, nobody will blame you!

20. Sesame Ginger Salmon 

Takeout? Why bother?

This sesame ginger salmon rivals the best of the best. 

The salmon bathes in a punchy sweet and umami marinade.

Then, you serve it up with a honey ginger glaze for an additional flavor boost. 

It’s so scrumptious, you won’t even care about the sides.

21. Poach Salmon

Skip the cooking oil and keep it light by poaching salmon in white wine. 

White wine has some health benefits like antioxidants and vitamin B.

Plus, it infuses the salmon with a richer flavor. 

You could also swap it out for water or veggie broth if you like.

No matter what you choose, one thing is for certain. Salmon is full of heart-healthy fats! 

22. Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Crusted Salmon

Give your salmon a Mediterranean twist for a heart-healthy meal. 

Not only does it look stunning, but it tastes great too!

The red pesto crust is a bold blend of sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, and cashews.

It’s a cinch to whip up and pairs fantastically with a flaky salmon filet. 

23. Easy Chopped Salmon Salad

Your lunches are about to get a major upgrade! Because this chopped salad packs as many flavors as it does textures. 

It has a whole mess of fresh produce like cucumbers, avocados, and red onions. It doesn’t go light on the salmon either.

If you have leftover salmon, this is a great way to use it.

You can also meal prep this dish and enjoy it for up to 5 days.

24. Lemon Pepper Salmon

We could all use more light, healthy, and simple recipes in our life. 

And one that reduces dirty dishes too? Count me in!

You take lightly seasoned salmon filets, place lemons on top, wrap them in foil, then bake.

It takes all but 30 minutes and in the meantime, you can prepare your sides.

I like to keep it simple with a fresh garden salad and plain Instant Pot rice.

25. Salmon Greek Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing

Have you had your daily dose of Omega-3s and leafy greens? If not, you should totally make this. 

It’s a healthy salmon salad everyone can get on board with.

A bed of crisp Romaine lettuce gets doctored up with cherry tomatoes, feta, walnuts, and then some.

Resting on top is a flaky filet of grilled salmon. 

Douse it all in a fresh homemade lemon basil dressing and dive in. You deserve it.

26. Baked Teriyaki Salmon

This baked teriyaki salmon is restaurant-quality without the ridiculous price. 

Each flaky filet has a scrumptious umami sauce with notes of orange, honey, ginger, and garlic. 

If you need a side, toss some veggies on the sheet pan while it bakes.

Don’t worry, it won’t take all night. Only 25 minutes of your time.

27. Grilled Salmon Kale Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette 

Tired of salads that leave you hungry? Try this on for size. 

A big meaty salmon filet is front and center.

Underneath, you’ll find a mound of kale with pecans, parmesan, and croutons tossed in a honey lemon vinaigrette. 

Well-balanced and wholesome, this is one filling salmon salad packed with brain food.

28. Coconut Curry Salmon

This seafood curry is better than takeout! I kid you not, this dish is divine. 

The salmon has this sweet and salty rub that makes the rich flavors pop.

Then there’s this creamy coconut sauce that’s too good to describe. 

Seriously, you just have to give it a try. 

29. Honey Garlic Salmon

I’m always cautious with glazing salmon because I don’t want to wind up with a burnt mess.

So if you’re like me, you need this recipe. 

It shows you how to perfectly cook salmon with a sticky sweet and garlicky sauce. 

Once you learn how to make this, you’ll do it all the time. 

30. Smoked Salmon and Avocado Salad

I could eat this every day and never get tired of it. That’s how much I love it!

And if you do, too, you’ll enjoy a daily bowl full of Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, potassium, and protein. 

Simple and fresh, it’s a super easy salad you can put together in 10 minutes. Now, that’s what I call an easy lunch!