What to Serve with Smoked Salmon? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Here's a fun fact: smoked salmon (typically cured and cold-smoked Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar) is already the star of the show, but what should we have on the side? We all want those extra dishes to be just as exciting.

Our goal is simple - make that salmon shine even more. We've handpicked the top sides to serve with your smoked salmon.

Think of warm potato salad, crispy asparagus, or even some creamy avocado.

We're here to make your meal prep way more fun. Let's talk about those tasty sidekicks that will make our smoked salmon proud.

Ready to get started? Let's go!

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Top 10 Side Dishes for Smoked Salmon

Here are our top 10 picks for the best side dishes to serve with smoked salmon:

Side Dish	Main Ingredients	flavor	Difficulty	Time
Dill Potato Salad	Potatoes, dill, mayonnaise	Creamy, herby	Easy	30 min
Cucumber Dill Salad	Cucumbers, dill, vinegar	Fresh, tangy	Easy	15 min
Avocado Toast	Avocado, toast, lemon juice	Creamy, tangy	Easy	10 min
Roasted Beet Salad	Beets, goat cheese, arugula	Earthy, tangy	Medium	40 min
Herbed Cream Cheese	Cream cheese, chives, dill	Creamy, herby	Easy	10 min
Blinis	Buckwheat flour, eggs, milk	Light, savory	Medium	30 min
Lemon Dill Quinoa	Quinoa, lemon, dill	Fresh, zesty	Easy	20 min
Caprese Skewers	Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil	Fresh, tangy	Easy	15 min
Roasted Asparagus	Asparagus, olive oil, garlic	Savory, garlicky	Easy	20 min
Tzatziki Sauce	Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill	Creamy, tangy	Easy	15 min

1 - Dill Potato Salad

We've all had potato salad, but adding dill takes it to the next level. The flavors are fresh and slightly tangy, thanks to the dill (Anethum graveolens, an herb in the Apiaceae family) and a bit of lemon juice.

Ingredients include potatoes, mayonnaise, and chopped dill (dill alternatives for recipes).

This side dish has a creamy texture with crunchy bits.

Perfect for a BBQ or a brunch. The fresh dill really brightens up the potatoes, making each bite zesty and pleasant.

2 - Cucumber Dill Salad

So, cucumber dill salad is like the cool breeze on a hot summer day (made with English cucumbers for thin skin and fewer seeds). Crisp cucumber slices mix with fresh dill.

Ingredients are cucumbers, dill, red onions, and a splash of vinegar (cucumber alternatives for salads).

We love the crunch and zest it brings. Imagine it with our smoked salmon.

3 - Avocado Toast

Alright, let's be real, who doesn't love avocado toast? The creaminess of ripe avocados (preferably Hass avocados for richer, buttery texture) goes well with crunchy toast.

We mash up avocados, sprinkle on some sea salt, and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Top it with a soft-boiled egg for extra goodness.

This dish tastes fresh and buttery. The avocado and lemon combo is a useful for our smoked salmon.

4 - Roasted Beet Salad

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1019854278108937965

Roasted beet salad is our go-to for adding a pop of color and earthy flavor (Beta vulgaris). We toss roasted beets with arugula, crumbled goat cheese, and sprinkle walnuts on top.

Beets are sweet and earthy, pairing well with the creamy goat cheese. Walnuts add crunch and a nutty note.

We love the zing of the simple vinaigrette dressing.

5 - Herbed Cream Cheese

Let's chat about herbed cream cheese. It's your favorite cream cheese, but with a twist.

Mix in fresh chives, dill, and parsley to level up your bagel game with cheese alternatives for spreads.

We love it with smoked salmon. The cream cheese is tangy and rich.

Herbs add freshness and complexity.

Ingredients? Easy-cream cheese, chopped herbs (about 2 tablespoons total), a bit of lemon zest.

It's creamy, zesty, downright delicious. It's our go-to for a quick, tasty spread.

6 - Blinis

Ok, let's talk blinis. Tiny, fluffy pancakes often topped with smoked salmon.

Light, slightly tangy due to sour cream (use crème fraîche for a richer tang). Crisp on the outside, soft inside.

Ingredients: flour, eggs, milk, and a dash of yeast.

We like our blinis with a generous spread of crème fraîche. The savory salmon goes with the tang.

Perfect bite-sized treats for any gathering.

7 - Lemon Dill Quinoa

It's light, zesty, and super easy to whip up. We love the tangy pop of lemon and fresh kick from dill.

Ingredients: quinoa (a protein-rich seed native to the Andes, Chenopodium quinoa), lemons, fresh dill, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Cook the quinoa until fluffy, then toss it with lemon juice, dill, and oil.

This dish is crisp, with a snappy acidity. It pairs well with smoky salmon, adding a refreshing contrast.

Perfect for summer lunches.

Our top tip? Use fresh lemons and dill and consider fresh citrus swaps for recipes.

8 - Caprese Skewers

Caprese skewers are the ultimate finger food, packing all the goodness of a Caprese salad into bite-sized pieces. We thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil onto skewers.

Drizzle with balsamic glaze (preferably aged balsamic for depth) for a sweet-tart pop. The tomatoes are juicy, the mozzarella is creamy, and the basil adds a pop of herbaceous flavor.

Ideal for a light snack with our smoked salmon.

9 - Roasted Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is a super easy dish, yet totally gourmet. We roast it until it's tender with a bit of crunch (roast at 425°F for 10-15 minutes).

Olive oil, salt, pepper. That's it.

The flavor is slightly nutty, earthy. It brings out a sweet undertone we love.

Perfect with our smoked salmon-light and crisp.

Personal tip: a squeeze of lemon makes it pop.

10 - Tzatziki Sauce

We're talking creamy, refreshing tzatziki sauce. Perfect for smoked salmon.

It's tangy, garlicky, with a cool cucumber twist (made with thick strained Greek yogurt for creaminess).

Ingredients are Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill. We love how it adds a zing to the salmon.

Cucumber makes it light, while yogurt keeps it rich.

Our tip? Use fresh garlic and dill for extra flavor.