18 Easy Salmon Recipes For Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner

These quick and easy salmon recipes are perfect for anytime you're craving a healthy, delicious meal.

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Photo:

Greg DuPree

The most popular fish in America (and the second most popular seafood after shrimp), salmon is an easy crowd-pleaser and endlessly versatile. Whether you're choosing fillets, steaks, smoked, or canned, we've got easy salmon recipes for brunch, lunch, and dinner. And not only is salmon tasty, it's also incredibly healthy. It's full of protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are key for brain and heart health.

If you're choosing between wild and farmed salmon, know that wild is often lower in saturated fat and higher in calcium than farmed fish, and many chefs prefer its firmer texture and stronger flavor. Plus, it's usually eco-friendly. Most of the wild salmon you see at the supermarket is caught in Alaska, home to some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world.

Farm-raised salmon is often more affordable than wild, and widely available throughout the year, so if farmed is more accessible for you, go for it! For the most sustainable options, look for Atlantic salmon from Maine or the Faroe Islands, or for farmed salmon with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification on the packaging.

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Egg & Smoked Salmon Tart

Egg & Smoked Salmon Tart

Greg DuPree

This brunch or dinner recipe has it all: golden puff pastry, scallion-studded crème fraîche, runny eggs, and curls of smoked salmon.

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Speedy Salmon Burgers

Speedy Salmon Burgers
Greg DuPree

Affordable canned salmon is the star of these easy burgers. Serve them on buns with watercress or arugula for some peppery crunch.

03 of 18

Salmon Tacos With Grapefruit Salsa

Salmon Tacos With Grapefruit Salsa

Greg DuPree

Spice-rubbed salmon is topped with a zingy, citrusy salsa for tasty tacos that are still simple enough for a weeknight.

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Curried Coconut Salmon Soup

Curried Coconut Salmon Soup

Greg DuPree

Ginger and red curry paste add lively flavor to this nourishing soup. If you can't find baby bok choy, feel free to swap in spinach.

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Sweet Chili Salmon Salad

sweet chili salmon salad
Victor Protasio

This salad has it all: crunchy snap peas, creamy avocado, punchy shallots, and of course, tender salmon. The sweet chili sauce gives the salad dressing more sweetness than heat, so don't hesitate to whip up a double batch for more salads in the days to come.

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Ginger and Honey-Soy Salmon en Papillote

Ginger and Honey-Soy Salmon en Papillote

Greg DuPree

Here’s a quick dinner everyone will want to tear into. Baking fish and veggies in a parchment paper packet results in supremely tender fish. Let your guests open their packets at the table so everyone can get in on the fun.

07 of 18

Harissa Salmon and Potatoes

harrisa salmon with potatoes
Caitlin Bensel

Sweet-hot harissa, a Middle Eastern chili paste, is the star of this show. Different brands have different spice levels; the mild variety of Mina is on the gentler side.

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Smoked Salmon Flatbread

Smoked Salmon Flatbread

Victor Protasio

Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or super-fast dinner, this 10-minute meal (yes, really) hits all the right notes.

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Beet-Cured Salmon

Beet Cured Salmon

Greg DuPree

More than just a cool brunch trick, these colorful salmon ribbons have an earthy flavor that makes a splash.

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Slow-Roasted Citrus Salmon

Citrus Recipes: Slow-Roasted Citrus Salmon
Caitlin Bensel

Keep this recipe in your back pocket for the next time you host brunch or dinner for a crowd. It may look impressive, but it's super easy to prep.

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Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini

Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini
Victor Protasio

You'll be able to get this healthy recipe on the table in 30 minutes flat and have only one pan to wash. Now that's a weeknight dinner win.

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Salmon With Sautéed Cabbage and Bacon

Salmon With Sauteed Cabbage And Bacon

Fred Hardy

Bacon, brown sugar, and mustard come together to add big flavor to this hearty dinner. Don't skip the sour cream schmeared onto the plate (although you could swap in plain Greek yogurt). It adds the perfect amount of tang.

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Everything Salmon Skewers With Sriracha Aioli

Everything Salmon Skewers With Sriracha Aïoli

Victor Protasio

Putting everything bagel seasoning on salmon is nothing short of genius. Not only does it add flavor, but also a nutty crunch that will make this recipe one of your new go-to's.

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Skillet Hash Browns With Smoked Salmon

Skillet Hash Browns with Smoked Salmon
Victor Protasio

Talk about a wow-worthy brunch dish! Frozen shredded potatoes are the secret to getting it on the table quickly. For extra heft, top it with fried or poached eggs.

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Salmon Burgers With Pesto Cream Sauce

Salmon Burgers With Pesto Cream Sauce

Greg DuPree

Raid your pantry and turn a few tins of flaky canned salmon into juicy, herb-infused burgers. You’ll go from hungry to happy in 20 minutes flat.

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One-Pan Salmon With Roasted Cabbage and Olive Vinaigrette

EXTRA SHARP: One-Pan Salmon With Roasted Cabbage and Olive Vinaigrette

If you haven't roasted cabbage before, prepare to have your mind blown. In the intense heat of the oven, the sweet side of cabbage comes out, making it the perfect complement to rich salmon. A punchy dressing made with olives and raisins ties it all together.

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Salmon With Creamy Cucumber-Fennel Salad

Salmon With Creamy Cucumber-Fennel Salad
José Picayo

Here's the simple secret to avoiding that unpleasant fishy smell when you're cooking seafood: use the oven. These flavorful salmon fillets bake in just 12 minutes and don't smell like anything other than delicious.

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Smoky Sheet Pan Salmon and Potatoes

Smoky Sheet-pan Salmon and Potatoes
Caitlin Bensel

While halved potatoes and spice-rubbed salmon fillets roast in the oven, you'll make a quick salsa of avocado, orange segments, and cilantro to spoon on top. The mixture adds a welcome freshness and sweetness to this mouthwatering one-pan recipe.

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