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20 Healthy Salmon Recipes

Salmon is a great protein option that’s good for you and there are so many different and delicious ways to prepare it. Here’s my list of 20 Healthy Salmon Recipes for when you need a little recipe inspiration.

The Best Easy Salmon Recipes

Either you love salmon or you hate salmon. I totally get it, but I’m here to share some recipes that hopefully get you on our side of the salmon-loving folks! It doesn’t always have to be plain old baked salmon, which may steer some people away. Instead, check out this list of healthy salmon recipes that are not only good for you but taste pretty darn good, too.

The great thing about salmon is that it’s flavorful, but without being too fishy. It’s meaty, and filling, and can take on so many different flavors. You can make tacos with salmon or you can grill it. You can also put it on salads or serve it with a creamy sauce. The options are truly endless.

What Makes Salmon Healthy?

I eat a lot of salmon because it’s so darn good for you! Salmon has a lot to brag about.

  • It’s a great protein option. You don’t always have to stick to beef or chicken when you are trying to add protein to your diet.
  • Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids. And these fatty acids are considered “essential” which means our body can’t produce them on its own.
  • It’s high in Vitamin B. Which helps your body turn food into energy and promotes brain health.
  • Salmon will help with weight management. This is mostly because it’s high in protein and will help you feel full longer and help control your appetite.

Tips for Buying Salmon

The first step to cooking salmon is buying it. I get it, buying seafood can be a bit intimidating. Here are some tips for buying salmon the right way.

  • When buying fresh salmon: Fresh salmon should be bright pink without any grey or dark spots. It also shouldn’t smell “fishy”. If the smell is too potent, it’s likely not good.
  • Frozen salmon is a great option, too. There’s no need to always lean towards fresh fish, especially if you’re eating salmon in the off-season.
  • Do your research. And don’t be afraid to ask questions at the fish market. They are there and happy to help you. Sometimes buying farm-raised is just as good as wild-caught salmon. It all depends on the source and their working standards.

How to Store Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers of most of my salmon recipes. And honestly, they taste just as great as when you first made the recipe.

It’s important to keep the leftovers in an air-tight container and eat them in a timely manner. The salmon will usually stay fresh for up to 3 days.

20 Healthy Salmon Recipes

Here’s a list of some of my all-time favorite good-for-you salmon recipes!

best grilled salmon burger topped with tomato, avocado, red onion and lemon garlic aioli

The Best Grilled Salmon Burgers with Lemon Garlic Aioli

These Grilled Salmon Burgers are served with homemade Lemon Garlic Aioli for extra deliciousness. They are a great option when you’re looking to make something other than a beef burger on the grill.

Caribbean Grilled Salmon Kabobs will take you straight to the islands with the cajun spices, fresh pineapple, bell peppers, and fresh seafood! Perfect healthy grilling recipe for the summer done in 20 minutes! | joyfulhealthyeats.com #recipes Easy Healthy Recipes

Caribbean Grilled Salmon Kabobs

Here’s another grilled salmon option, but this time it’s not a burger! These Caribbean Grilled Salmon Kabobs will take you straight to the islands with the cajun spices, fresh pineapple, bell peppers, and fresh seafood.

a spatula scooping creamy tuscan pan seared salmon in a skillet

The BEST Creamy Pan-Seared Tuscan Salmon

This is one of my favorite recipes for the winter. It’s comforting, creamy, and so flavorful. Crispy tender salmon is served with a rich (dairy-free) Tuscan garlic white wine sauce that will make you swoon. It’s so easy and healthy!

overhead photo of easy 20 minute garlic butter baked salmon in foil recipe with lemons on top

20 Minute Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil

This Tender Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in foil comes together in just 20 minutes! This easy salmon recipe is slathered in a honey garlic butter sauce and then baked in a foil packet for the perfect flaky bite. 

PINEAPPLE CHIPOTLE SALMON TOSTADAS - slightly charred smoky Salmon combined with Spicy Pineapple Salsa and creamy Avocados. These Tostadas take 30 minutes to make and are only 283 calories, a must make for a busy weeknight! | joyfulhealthyeats.com | gluten free recipes

Pineapple Chipotle Salmon Tostadas

Another fun option when you’re sick of baking baked salmon. These tostadas are so fun and flavorful! This Pineapple Chipotle Salmon Tostada recipe has charred smoky salmon combined with Spicy Pineapple Salsa and creamy avocados. Plus, it all comes together in 30 minutes!

Paleo BLT Salmon Salad topped with a delicious creamy Avocado Dressing. The perfect light healthy dinner recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes!

BLT Salmon Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

This is one of my favorite Paleo salads! My BLT Salmon Salad is drizzled with a delicious creamy Avocado Dressing. It’s the perfect light healthy dinner recipe that comes together in less than 30 minutes!

overhead photo of smoked salmon cucumber tea sandwiches

Easy Smoked Salmon Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

These Smoked Salmon Cucumber Tea Sandwiches are a fun appetizer to bring to your next brunch get-together. They are so easy to make and beautiful, too! Everyone will love them because they are light and flavorful.

An incredible sweet and savory dinner in less than 20 minutes, Hoisin Honey Glazed Salmon. A healthy low carb meal using only 10 ingredients! | joyfulhealthyeats.com #recipes

Skinny Hoisin Honey Glazed Salmon

I love the sweet and savory flavor of this Hoisin Honey Glazed Salmon. It tastes like it’s off a restaurant menu, but it’s so easy to make at home! Add a simple side of vegetables and this dinner is good to go!

baked salmon in foil with avocado salsa on top

Spice Rub Baked Salmon with Avocado Salsa

This is another one of my favorite Paleo salmon dishes. It features baked salmon that’s rubbed down with a sweet & spicy spice blend and seared in the oven for that perfect flaky bite! This tender salmon is topped with creamy Avocado Salsa and done in less than 30 minutes for the ultimate weeknight dinner!

a plate with salmon topped lemon slices and thyme next to asparagus

Easy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus

This healthy Citrus Baked Salmon in Foil with Asparagus could not be easier to make. Succulent tender Salmon on a bed of asparagus covered in a lemon garlic butter sauce then topped with lemon slices and baked in a foil packet for one complete dinner with no mess!

honey garlic cedar plank salmon topped with lemon slices

Honey Garlic Cedar Plank Salmon on the Grill

Grilled salmon is delicious and it’s even better when you use a cedar plank! Learn how to make the perfect Honey Garlic Cedar Plank Salmon on the grill every time. Each piece of fresh salmon is covered with savory honey garlic butter and then infused with smoky cedar flavor for the ultimate summer dinner recipe!

close up photo of pan seared salmon drizzled with creamy dijon sauce on a plate with asparagus

Pan Seared Salmon with Creamy Dijon Sauce

This easy Pan Seared Salmon recipe is a flavorful dinner that takes just 30 minutes to make! Topped with a dairy-free creamy dijon sauce, you’ll be amazed by how delicious this quick dinner idea is.

Baked Honey Garlic Salmon in Foil with a fork

Crazy Easy Baked Honey Garlic Salmon in Foil

Using foil to bake salmon is one the best ways to cook it because it won’t dry it out and the flavor gets trapped in there! Baked Honey Garlic Salmon in Foil is the ultimate easy dinner recipe. A whole salmon is coated in a sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce then baked and broiled to perfection for a crisp and flavorful topping.

close up of blackened salmon taco with pineapple salsa

Southwestern Grilled Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

I love these tortilla-free tacos! These low-carb Southwestern Grilled Salmon Tacos are served on lettuce wraps and then topped with fresh pineapple salsa, avocado, and a Chipotle Lime Crema! This healthy salmon taco recipe is done in 30 minutes and bursting with light, fresh vibrant flavors.

A foil-lined baking sheet with a baked Dijon maple glazed salmon fillet on top of it

Dijon Maple Glazed Salmon

Dijon Maple Glazed Salmon is a low-calorie, high-protein dinner that’s done in just 15 minutes! The tangy-sweet glaze caramelizes the skin of the fish while the inside bakes to tender perfection.

A white plate with 4 salmon fillets cooked in air fryer

Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon

This healthy and delicious dinner is so quick to make! Tender and flaky salmon ready in 10 minutes? You bet! This easy air fryer salmon recipe makes perfectly cooked salmon smothered with an irresistible honey garlic sauce. Just add a squeeze of lemon!

A salmon poke bowl garnished with black sesame seeds on top of a marble counter

Salmon Poke Bowl with Spicy Mayo

These Salmon Poke Bowls are bursting with flavor and are a super easy light dinner. Marinated salmon is baked until it’s caramelized and then served on a bed of basmati rice with cucumbers, mango, edamame, and creamy avocado. Finally, it’s drizzled with spicy mayo for the win! 

A bowl of salmon salad on a kitchen countertop beside a small dish of cilantro lime dressing

Blackened Grilled Salmon Salad

This easy Grilled Salmon Salad is a great healthy lunch and dinner option to bring to your next BBQ. Blackened salmon is tossed with crunchy lettuce, juicy corn, sweet red peppers, creamy avocado, fresh pineapple salsa, and tangy cilantro lime dressing.

A white platter holding four blackened salmon fillets and five fresh lemon wedges

Honey Blackened Salmon

This is one of those recipes that’s so quick and simple, yet so flavorful! It’s a bonus that it’s good for you. Honey Blackened Salmon filets are cooked perfectly every time with this easy recipe!

overhead photo of garlic butter baked salmon in foil with lemons on top

Easy Garlic Butter Baked Salmon

Garlic Butter Baked Salmon in Foil comes together in just 20 minutes! This healthy and easy salmon recipe is topped with a honey garlic butter sauce and then baked in a foil packet for the perfect flaky bite.

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