Cajun Salmon is a spicy, tangy, and flavorful dish that can be served as a main course for any occasion.
The rich texture of the salmon blends perfectly with the heat of the cajun spices, making it a perfect delight for your taste buds.
However, to make the meal complete, you need to figure out what to serve with cajun salmon. Cajun salmon is a delicious and flavorful dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes.
This is where we come in. As a professional, friendly, and experienced cook, I have come up with some quick and amazing dishes to serve with Cajun Salmon that will elevate your meal to the next level.
Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply looking for something to complement your meal, we’ve got you covered! These are quick and amazing dishes to serve with Cajun salmon.
From salads to veggies to grains, there’s something for everyone. So, let’s get started!
What is cajun salmon? What does cajun salmon taste like?
Cajun Salmon is salmon that has been prepared with a blend of Cajun spices. It typically consists of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper and thyme.
The combination of spices gives the salmon a rich flavor that is savory and slightly spicy.
Cajun-style dishes are known to be quite flavorful as they are usually cooked in butter or olive oil and have a unique mix of herbs and spices added to them for additional texture.
Typically, the fish will be cooked until it’s flaky on the inside but still juicy with crisp edges on the outside.
17 Best Sides to serve with cajun salmon
1. Mixed Greens Salad
A crispy mixed greens salad is the perfect side dish to serve with Cajun salmon. Light and refreshing, it will help balance out the spice of the salmon.
Toss together some baby spinach, arugula, and mixed greens with some cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and your favorite dressing.
2. Smashed Potatoes
Smashed potatoes are a comforting and delicious side dish that pairs incredibly well with Cajun salmon.
Boil some baby potatoes until they are fork-tender. Then, gently smash them with a fork or potato masher. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle some salt and pepper, and bake for 20 minutes.
3. Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus is a perfectly simple yet flavorful side dish that goes perfectly with Cajun salmon. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Mizzle the asparagus with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 5-10 minutes until they are tender, turning occasionally.
4. Pineapple Salsa
Sweet and tangy pineapple salsa is the perfect accompaniment to Cajun salmon. Dice up some fresh pineapple, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro.
Mix together with some lime juice, salt, and pepper. Serve chilled.
5. Quinoa Salad
A hearty quinoa salad is a great choice if you’re looking for something filling to serve with your Cajun salmon.
Cook some quinoa according to the package instructions. Toss with some cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, diced cucumbers, and crumbled feta cheese.
6. Roasted Carrots
Sweet and savory roasted carrots are a wonderful side dish to serve with Cajun salmon. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
Toss some baby carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes until they are tender and caramelized.
7. Corn on the Cob
Grilled or boiled corn on the cob can be a delicious pairing with Cajun salmon.
Slather some butter and sprinkle some salt and pepper on the corn, and you’re good to go.
Discover More: 17 Delicious And Amazing Vegetarian Dishes To Serve With Corn On The Cob
8. Cucumber Salad
A light and refreshing cucumber salad is a great choice to serve with Cajun salmon.
Toss together some thinly sliced cucumbers, dill, red onion, and white vinegar. Add some salt and sugar to taste.
9. Steamed Broccoli
Steamed broccoli is a simple and healthy side dish that goes well with Cajun salmon.
Steam some fresh broccoli florets until they are tender but still crisp, then season with salt and pepper.
10. Garlic Bread
A crusty garlic bread can be a great side dish to mop up all the flavorful juices of the Cajun salmon.
Slice up a baguette, brush it with some garlic butter, and broil for a few minutes until they are golden and crispy.
11. Cajun Rice
The first dish that comes to mind when we talk about what to serve with cajun salmon is Cajun Rice.
The dish not only complements the spiciness of the salmon but also adds a fantastic texture to the meal. To prepare Cajun Rice, sauté onions, peppers, and garlic in butter.
Add rice and seasonings, stir in chicken stock, and let it simmer until the rice is fluffy and cooked.
Explore More: 17 Delicious and Creative Sides to Pair with Mexican Rice
12. Roasted Vegetables
Cajun salmon tastes great with a side of roasted vegetables. The caramelized flavors of the vegetables add a touch of sweetness that balances out the heat of the cajun spices.
You can use any vegetables of your choice. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces, drizzle olive oil, sprinkle salt, pepper and cajun seasoning and roast in the oven at around 400°F until they are tender and golden.
13. Cornbread
Cornbread is a sweet and sour side dish that marries well with the flavors of cajun salmon. The subtle sweetness of the cornbread beautifully contrasts the spiciness of the cajun salmon.
You can choose to make your cornbread from scratch or opt for store-bought packages that require just a few minutes of baking.
14. Coleslaw
Coleslaw can be a refreshing side that offers a crunchy and cool bite to balance out the heat of cajun salmon.
Making coleslaw should not be daunting. You simply need to shred some carrots, cabbage, and onion, mix them with mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper, and let them sit in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
15. Sautéed Asparagus
Sautéed asparagus is another delicious and nutritious side dish that complements cajun salmon superbly.
It adds a subtle nutty, and earthy flavor, which perfectly cuts through the cajun spice. To cook, you simply need to sauté the asparagus in butter or olive oil and coat it with salt and pepper.
16. Bean Salad
Bean salad is an easy-to-make side dish that can incorporate a lot of flavors into your meal.
You can try different beans, like black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, or lentils, and mix them with red onion, peppers, cilantro, and a simple vinaigrette dressing.
17. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries can incorporate a pop of color and a gentle touch of sweetness to the meal while balancing the heat of cajun salmon.
Cut sweet potatoes into thin slices, coat with olive oil, salt, pepper, and cajun seasoning, and bake until they are crispy and golden.
Find Out More: 21 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Twice-Baked Potatoes
What are the best flavors to go with cajun salmon?
Cajun salmon is a delicious and flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of sauces and side dishes.
A few of the best flavors to accompany cajun salmon include lemon, garlic, paprika, oregano, thyme, parsley, and cayenne pepper.
Tangy citrus fruits like lime or orange also add a lovely hint of sweetness that pairs nicely with the spicy Cajun seasoning in the salmon.
Hearty vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms are great complementing flavors and helping to round out the meal.
Creamy sides such as mashed potatoes or rice also pair nicely with cajun salmon for a complete meal. For an extra zesty kick, try adding some hot sauce on top!
How do you jazz up cajun salmon?
To jazz up cajun salmon, try marinating the salmon in a mixture of olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme and black pepper. If you like a bit of spiciness, add some red pepper flakes to the mix.
After marinating for at least an hour in the refrigerator, place your salmon on a preheated grill and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until it flakes easily with a fork.
You can also bake your cajun salmon in the oven with similar ingredients and follow the instructions on the package as well. Enjoy your delicious Cajun Salmon!
Explore More: 24 Best Salads to Complement Salmon Dishes
How do you display cajun salmon on a platter?
Cajun salmon is best served on a platter to show off the beautiful colors and textures of the fish.
The salmon should be placed in the center of the plate, with other garnishes like lemon wedges, fresh herbs, and thinly sliced vegetables arranged around it.
To bring out all of its flavors, season it with Cajun spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
Before serving it on the platter with all its accompaniments, lightly brush some olive oil over the salmon to give it a bit of shine and flavor. Serve this flavorful dish for your dinner guests to enjoy!
Cajun salmon seasoning
1. Zatarain’s Cajun Salmon Seasoning
Zatarain’s Cajun Salmon Seasoning is an all-in-one seasoning blend from the famous New Orleans-based Zatarain’s brand that features robust flavors like paprika, garlic, onion, celery seed and parsley with a touch of cayenne pepper for an added kick.
Perfect for adding authentic Louisiana flavors to salmon dishes.
2. Emeril’s Original Essence Creole Seasoning
Emeril’s Original Essence Creole Seasoning is a signature blend from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse contains a mix of herbs and spices, including paprika, garlic, salt, onion and black pepper, that creates a bold flavor profile unlike any other.
It enhances salmon’s natural sweetness while providing plenty of kick from the cayenne pepper. (Recipe)
3. Tony Chachere’s Creole Salmon Seasoning
A classic Cajun blend from the renowned Tony Chachere’s brand featuring ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and oregano that offers a delightful balance of flavorful spices with just enough heat.
4. Slap Ya Mama Cajun Salmon Spice Blend
For those who like their seafood dishes with a bit of heat, this spicy blend from Slap Ya Mama is ideal for bringing out the flavors in salmon dishes without overpowering them.
It contains cayenne pepper as well as black pepper, garlic powder and more to create an authentic taste of Louisiana cuisine.
5. Old Bay Wild Salmon Seasoning
Old Bay Wild Salmon Seasoning is a popular seasoning blend from Old Bay that uses bay leaves along with other flavorful ingredients such as paprika, chili powder and celery salt to bring out the succulent taste of salmon dishes while adding a touch of heat at the same time.
The unique combination of seasonings makes it perfect for creating restaurant-quality meals right at home!
Wrap Up on what to serve with cajun salmon
Cajun Salmon is a fantastic dish that can be elevated to the next level by serving it with the right side dish.
From Cajun Rice to Grilled Vegetables, you can mix and match the different sides depending on your preference and taste.
The amazing dishes we have listed here will surely lift the flavor of cajun salmon and make it a meal to remember.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with different side dishes, and let us know in the comments below which one is your favorite.
FAQs
How much cajun salmon per person?
When making cajun salmon, it is recommended to plan for about 6 ounces of salmon per person.
This will provide enough for approximately three 4-ounce servings per person.
When preparing, keep in mind that the fish will cook down significantly due to the high heat used in cajun cooking methods.
Additionally, since the fish is flavored with Cajun spices and seasonings during preparation, seasoning should be kept relatively light when plating and serving.
What is the best vegetable to serve with cajun salmon?
A great vegetable to serve with cajun salmon is roasted corn.
Roasted corn has a slightly smoky flavor that complements the spices in the cajun seasoning and brings out the delicate flavors of the salmon.
Additionally, it is a healthy source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, helping to round out the meal in terms of nutrition.
Roasting corn on the cob in a hot oven helps bring out its natural sweetness while adding a pleasing crunchy texture that contrasts nicely with the creamy texture of salmon.
For an extra flavorful punch, try brushing some melted butter or olive oil on each cob before roasting them – it will add a delicious richness that pairs beautifully with both the fish and any other sides served alongside.
What is a good side dish for blackened salmon?
An ideal classic side dish that pairs perfectly with blackened salmon is roasted asparagus.
This vegetable is low in calories and high in nutrition, providing a good source of vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as folate and iron.
Roasting the asparagus brings out its flavor and adds a slightly smoky element to the dish.
Simply dress some fresh asparagus spears with oil, salt, and pepper before roasting them in an oven preheated to 425°F for about 10 minutes.
Served alongside the blackened salmon, this flavorful side will be sure to satisfy your dinner guests.
What to serve with salmon and hollandaise sauce?
Salmon and hollandaise sauce make for a delicious combination that can be served with a variety of sides.
Steamed asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes, or a light salad would all pair nicely with the dish.
Rice pilaf and couscous are also excellent sides that will complement the salmon and hollandaise sauce.
If you’re looking for something more substantial to accompany your entrée, roasted vegetables like zucchini, squash, carrots, and onions also work well.
To complete the meal, crusty bread or garlic toast is an ideal accompaniment to soak up every last drop of the hollandaise sauce.
What is hollandaise sauce best served with?
Hollandaise sauce is a classic French sauce that is best served with a variety of breakfast dishes.
It pairs well with poached eggs, smoked salmon, asparagus, steamed vegetables, artichokes, and a range of other vegetables.
Hollandaise can also be used to dress up grilled fish, poultry or beef. Those who love the rich flavors of this versatile sauce might even enjoy it on pancakes or waffles.
This creamy buttery sauce is made from egg yolks, melted butter and lemon juice, which are slowly blended together until they turn into a velvety smooth mixture that can be used as both a dip or poured over whatever you’re cooking.
