Easy, crowd-pleasing salmon recipes for skeptics and salmon lovers alike – rice bowls, burgers, tacos, and simple sheet pan and one-pot meals!
16 Easy Salmon Recipes Everyone Loves
We really enjoy salmon in our house. But it’s also one of those foods that has to be done right, ya know? It needs the right seasoning, the right sauce, the right method of baking to turn into a meal that you genuinely look forward to eating.
These salmon recipes are some of my favorites – they offer a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids and a solid source of protein in addition to just being really delicious. And easy! Salmon cooks so fast, and most of these involve just a quick trip to the oven (which is my preferred method for cooking salmon).
- Kid favorites: air fryer salmon, salmon with basil sauce (such a hit every time)
- Husband favorites: coconut curry salmon, chipotle salmon with orange salsa (he absolutely raves)
- My favorites: BBQ salmon with mango salsa, bang bang salmon, and sheet pan salmon with dill potatoes!
The full list below is basically your salmon starter pack – rice bowls, salmon burgers, tacos, and sheet pan dinners that basically do the work for you. No complicated techniques, just approachable, crowd-pleasing dinners that happen to feature salmon in the very best way.
My Favorite Salmon Recipes
Chipotle Salmon with Orange Salsa and Aji Verde
Sweet-and-smoky chipotle salmon topped with fresh orange salsa and creamy aji verde! An easy, delicious, restaurant-level salmon dinner.
Bang Bang Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa
Bang Bang Salmon! Creamy, sweet, savory, and punchy. Served with some steamy rice and an avocado cucumber salsa. Weeknight perfection!
Sheet Pan Salmon with Dill Potatoes
Simple and delicious salmon and potatoes roasted on a sheet pan, and covered in a garlic dill butter sauce! One of my family’s favorite dinners.
Ridiculously Good Air Fryer Salmon
My go-to salmon recipe that’s perfect every time! Crisped and golden on the outside, buttery and juicy on the inside, and made in 15 minutes start to finish.
Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad
We’re making a summery salmon with a beautiful, big-flavored basil sauce that is so good, you’re going to want to just drink it. Perfectly-spiced, fresh, and a dinner for everyone!
Salmon Tacos with Mango Corn Salsa
Super easy salmon tacos loaded with a mango, sweet corn, and cucumber salsa!
Yummy Salmon Burgers with Slaw
These salmon burgers are THE YUMMIEST! and made with just five ingredients. The best for a quick + easy high protein lunch or dinner.
Spring Salmon with Creamed Leeks, Potatoes, and Asparagus
We’re bringing you a plate of sunshine for dinner! Perfectly golden-crisp salmon partnered next to oven-roasted asparagus and a buttery, rich, creamy leek sauce piled on crispy potatoes.
The Oliver’s Salad
We’re bringing you the most beautiful salad inspired by the restaurant Oliver’s in Minnesota. Tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, buttery chunks of avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and a river of homemade smoky ranch dressing.
Hot Honey Salmon
This Hot Honey Salmon is giving off major fancy-to-eat-but-not-fancy-to-make vibes. Spicy-sweet salmon coated in fresh garlic, stone ground mustard, sweet honey, and flecks of red peppers flakes. It’s a magical little number!
Baked Salmon with Amazing Lemon Sauce
Delicious baked salmon with crispy potatoes, broccoli, and the most amazing life-changing lemon sauce smothered on top of it all. This is restaurant bistro-style eating!
Spicy Salmon Burgers
These Spicy Salmon Burgers are little bundles of flavor! Canned salmon, panko, refreshing lemongrass, and a sweet-spicy zingy combo of red curry paste and brown sugar. So good and so simple!
Coconut Curry Salmon
Coconut Curry Salmon! Broiled salmon with a salty-sweet spice rub, creamy coconut curry sauce, and steamy rice to soak it all up.
BBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa
BBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa! An easy and impressive dinner with yummy smoky-sweet flavor and a zip of zesty homemade salsa to take it over the top. The BEST weeknight dinner.
Perfect Baked Salmon with Lentils and Lemon Herb Sauce
Perfect Baked Salmon with Lentils, Quinoa, and Lemon Herb Sauce – super healthy, high protein, bakes all in one big easy dish. This stuff is SO DELICIOUS!
Caramelized Salmon
This caramelized salmon is simple, healthy and completely gorgeous. Just five ingredients and 20 minutes get that browned caramelized crust on the salmon.
Tips For Buying Salmon
Whether you’re a salmon pro or a newbie, here’s what I look for when buying salmon for these recipes!
Farm-Raised vs. Wild-Caught
The difference between farm-raised and wild-caught salmon is, no surprise, how the salmon are raised! Wild-caught salmon is typically leaner and has a fishier flavor because of its environment, while farm-raised is fattier with a milder flavor. I’ve used both, and while both are delicious, I do typically prefer the taste and texure of farm-raised salmon.
Fresh vs. Frozen
This is really just a matter of preference and convenience – I prefer to get fresh salmon to avoid the process of thawing when it comes time to make dinner, but some might say that frozen salmon is actually fresher if it was flash-frozen after being caught. So it’s a “you do you” based on the time and energy you have!
Sustainability
Wild-caught salmon is generally a more sustainable option, but since I tend to prefer the flavor of farm-raised salmon, I also wanted to share how to make that choice more sustainable! I use this sustainable salmon guide to find what the best choices are (location, certifications, etc.). I usually look for salmon that is ASC or BAP certified, which should say right on the package!
January 30, 2026
Nice to meet you!
I’m Lindsay and I ♡ FOOD. I used to be a teacher, and now making food and writing about it online is my full-time job. I love talking with people about food, and I'm so glad you're here.
Did you make a recipe? Tag @pinchofyum on Instagram so we can find you!
