Salmon patties combine the rich, grilled flavor of burgers with the delicious taste of salmon, but this can make it hard to know what side dishes they go best with.

Each of these side dishes provides a combination of flavors and textures that pairs with salmon patties, all of which will be explained below.

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17 Side Dishes to Serve With Salmon Patties

Salmon patties are unique in that they naturally taste like fresh fish but are designed to be grilled, roasted, or baked, which naturally gives the patties a distinct flavor. As a general rule, the best pairings for salmon patties are vegetable dishes or foods that have been grilled or roasted as well.

1. Green Salad

One of the best side dishes for salmon patties is a salad, since the cool and crisp texture of salad is a perfect for salmon patties.

Crunchy foods like bell peppers, broccoli, and croutons can help give the salad a more distinct texture and flavor to help it contrast with the salmon patties more.

2. Coleslaw

Coleslaw is another great side dish for salmon patties because it has a naturally cool and creamy texture that contrasts with hot and savory patties.

One way to add some flavor to both salmon and coleslaw is to lightly sprinkle them with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for a more potent taste.

3. Roasted Brussel Sprouts

When properly roasted, Brussel sprouts have a crispy texture and sweet, nutty taste that makes them a fantastic side dish for a salmon patty meal.

This is because the sweet and crispy qualities of the roasted sprouts are a perfect contrast to the soft and savory taste of salmon patties, which makes both flavors stand out more.

4. Air Fried French Fries

Burgers and fries are a classic meal combination, but salmon patties work much better with the light and crispy taste of air fried French fries.

Air frying removes some of the greasy taste and texture from the fries, leaving them crispier and making them a better side dish for the rich taste of salmon patties.

5. Sweet Potato Fries

Another great alternative to French fries is sweet potato fries, since their natural flavors are a great compliment to more savory foods like salmon patties.

In addition to contrasting flavors, sweet potato fries are also a healthier alternative to French fries the same way salmon patties can be a healthy alternative for regular burgers.

6. Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf makes a great side dish for most meat-based meals, since the rich taste of pilaf goes well with meat, and salmon patties are no exception.

You can even serve salmon patties on rice pilaf, using the rice as a base to support the fish and to add some additional flavor to each bite.

7. Garlic Broccoli

Garlic is a seasoning that goes great with fish meals, so steaming or roasting broccoli in garlic creates a great side dish for salmon patties.

Another way to enhance the flavor of both salmon and garlic broccoli is to add lemon juice to both meals, making them better complement each other.

8. Potato Salad

What makes potato salad a great side dish for salmon patties is the naturally cool and creamy, a strong contrast to the warm and savory qualities of salmon patties.

One way to make the flavor of potato salad stand out even more is to add some form of dill, either fresh dill cuttings, pickle juice, or dill pickle slices.

9. Asparagus

Whether steamed, roasted, or grilled, asparagus makes a wonderful side dish for salmon patties because of how crunchy the stalks are when they are cooked.

While flavor contrast is important in side dishes, texture contrast can also highlight how tender and juicy salmon patties are when compared to more brittle asparagus.

10. Ginger Spinach

When combined with ginger and lemon juice, spinach can have a refreshing taste that makes a fantastic side dish for rich foods like salmon patties.

In fact, ginger and lemon also go well with salmon, so you can use the same seasonings and juices on both your main and side dish when combining salmon patties and spinach.

11. Couscous

Couscous has much of the same qualities as rice pilaf, including texture and flavor, so it can make a great alternative to rice for salmon dishes.

If you want to add some more flavor to your couscous, try paprika, almonds, and parsley, since these spicy and nutty tastes will help contrast with salmon patties.

12. Steamed Green Beans

Depending on how you cook them, green beans can retain their crunchiness, which makes them a great side dish for soft and tender salmon patties.

Besides texture, green beans can be flavored with parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and other seasonings to help enhance their taste and make them stand out as a side dish.

13. Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots offer a crunchy side dish with a strong grilled flavor that makes an excellent pairing for salmon patties, especially if you make the carrots sweet.

Sweet flavors naturally pair with savory ones and you can make your carrots sweet by brushing them with sweet marinades or honey before you roast them.

14. Lentil Salad

Lentil salads have a rich and unique flavor that goes great with savory means like salmon, especially if you add seasonings like garlic, lemon, and olive oil.

If you want to get the most out of your lentil salad you need to let it sit in in the refrigerator for three days so the flavors can soak in.

15. Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles are thin strips of zucchini cut to look like noodles and cooked to a soft texture, making them a healthy alternative to other noodle dishes.

Beyond its nutritious qualities, zucchini noodles also have a distinct flavor that compliments rich and savory foods like salmon patties, making it an even better side dish.

16. Roasted Bok Choy

When roasted or, bok choy has a similar taste and texture to roasted Brussel sprouts, having a crispy exterior and a mellow, earthy flavor in addition to being very nutritious.

Just like with Brussel sprouts, the natura flavors and textures of roasted bok choy are an almost perfect contrast to soft and savory salmon patties, making them a great side dish.

17. Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed potatoes can be a great side dish for regular burger patties, but salmon patties are much better served with a side of mashed cauliflower.

Besides being a healthier alternative to mashed potatoes, the natural flavors of cauliflower are a good compliment for the grilled fish taste of salmon patties.

Wrap Up

Salmon patties are a delicious main dish that combines the rich, savory taste of salmon with the juicy, charred qualities of a well grilled burger.

Because of this unique mix of flavors, salmon patties pair with a wide range of foods from salads, to grilled vegetables, to air fried foods.