Salmon Wellington is a classic dish that makes an impressive centerpiece for any special occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking to make something extra-special, Salmon Wellington is sure to delight your guests. But while the main course is certainly delicious on its own, it needs some sides to really shine!
Fortunately, there are plenty of options when it comes to side dishes that pair perfectly with Salmon Wellington. From roasted vegetables and potatoes to salads and grains, these 15 favorites will ensure your meal is complete in every way. So let’s get cooking!
What To Serve With Salmon Wellington?
Salmon Wellington is a popular dish that typically consists of a fillet of salmon, topped with a layer of sautéed mushrooms and wrapped in puff pastry. To complement the flavors of this dish, it is often served with a light side dish that won’t overpower the delicate taste of the salmon.
Some popular options for serving with Salmon Wellington include steamed vegetables such as asparagus or broccoli, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, roasted potatoes or root vegetables, or a side of rice pilaf.
The key is to choose a side dish that complements the flavors of the salmon and adds some texture and color to the plate without overpowering the dish.
1. Steamed Asparagus
Serving steamed asparagus with salmon wellington can elevate any dinner to being so simple yet elegant. Whether it be for an event or a dinner party, the flavors and colors go together wonderfully.
Start by prepping your asparagus; wash and trim off the ends before steaming. I recommend lightly salting the asparagus before steaming it for about 10 minutes. For maximum flavor, you can enhance the asparagus with herbs such as oregano or basil.
If you choose to sear or sauté them, this will caramelize their natural sugars and bring out a sweeter flavor while keeping some crunch and texture to the spears.
Then, prepare your salmon wellington by layering pastry dough around thinly-sliced fresh salmon, folding it in and baking in a 350°F oven for roughly 25 minutes until golden brown.
Place both dishes on the table, let them cool down, et voilà – enjoy all of these amazing taste sensations that are sure to impress all guests.
2. Roasted Carrots
Roasted carrots and Salmon Wellington pair together perfectly in an indulgent yet surprisingly simple meal that comes together with ease. To begin, season slice one pound of carrots into 1-inch pieces or less and spread onto a baking sheet.
Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste and roast in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes until the carrots are browned and tender.
Meanwhile, prepare your salmon wellington according to the recipe of your choosing which usually involves a blend of sautéed vegetables, herbs and spices wrapped around a soft filet of salmon and then crisped up in a puff pasty shell.
Once both components have finished cooking, serve together hot on individual plates for an amazing crunchy yet light dinner experience.
3. Sautéed Spinach
Sautéed spinach is a perfect accompaniment to salmon wellington. Cooking it just right is key to allowing the full flavor of the dish to come alive.
To begin, heat up some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add garlic and onions and cook until softened and fragrant. Then add your spinach leaves and increase the heat slightly so that you can create some char on them, stirring frequently to move them around.
Add some salt and pepper for taste and remove from heat when the spinach is wilted but still has some crunch. Serve alongside your salmon wellington prepared according to the recipe to create a sophisticated gourmet experience that will delight diners and leave a lasting impression of excellence.
4. Green Salad With Vinaigrette Dressing
Green Salad With Vinaigrette Dressing can be a great accompaniment to a Salmon Wellington entree. From the light and tasty dressing to the crunch of fresh seasonal greens and vegetables, this salad is sure to please any palette.
To create an optimal experience, create your own vinaigrette salad dressing by combining your favorite oils (like olive oil) with vinegar or citrus juices like lemon or lime. Season it with salt, pepper, honey and other herbs and spices for added flavor complexity.
When ready to assemble your green salad, go for robust produce choices like kale, spinach and arugula for maximum nutrient content.
Additionally, accentuate the presentation of this dish by including contrasting textures from nuts and/or seeds like walnuts or pumpkin seeds as well as various colorful fruits & vegetables like diced peppers and juicy tomatoes.
5. Rice Pilaf
Rice Pilaf is a delicious way to complement Salmon Wellington. The two perfectly pair together with the succulent fish being perfectly contrasted by the nutty flavor and light texture of the Pillaf.
To make it, first begin by sautéing some diced onion or shallot in butter or oil until softened, before adding a cup of basmati rice and cooking on medium heat until lightly toasted.
Once this has happened, add in your choice of liquid such as chicken stock and seasonings like bay leaf or thyme before bringing it to a boil.
Once boiling, turn down the heat and let simmer for 15 minutes covered until cooked through – fluffing with a fork when done. An additional trick is to add vermicelli pasta as you cook, which adds an extra layer of texture and flavor.
6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
You can’t go wrong with roasted Brussels sprouts as the perfect accompaniment to salmon Wellington. They lend a delightful, earthy flavor and texture to the dish, and their more subtle taste won’t overpower the flavor of the salmon.
To prepare them, preheat your oven to 350°F. Trim off the outside leaves of one-pound brussels sprouts and divide them into halves or quarters (depending on size). Place them in a bowl and add some olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chopped herbs of your choice – I suggest thyme or rosemary.
After you’ve given everything a good stir until they are well-coated with oil and herbs, spread them onto an ungreased baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until lightly golden brown and tender when pierced with a fork.
7. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
While salmon Wellington can be served with a vast array of side dishes, garlic mashed potatoes make for an especially flavorful and comforting accompaniment.
Preparing this classic family favorite couldn’t be simpler: boil some russet potatoes until tender, then mash them with butter, salt, pepper, and plenty of fresh minced garlic.
For an added kick of flavor, reserve the potato water when you drain them so you can add it back when you mash. Optimal texture requires gently mashing the potatoes — press too hard and you risk making them gummy.
Lastly, don’t forget to top off your mashed potatoes with chives or parsley for a colorful finish. Together with the salmon Wellington, these garlic mashed potatoes are sure to satisfy everyone at the dinner table.
8. Grilled Zucchini
The next great dish to serve with Salmon Wellington is Grilled Zucchini. This flavorful summer veggie pairs perfectly with the rich and buttery fish inside a savory puff pastry.
To prepare the zucchini, it needs to be thinly sliced – no more than a quarter of an inch thick – and then salted. The salt will draw out some of the moisture and will also give flavor.
Once salted, place small batches of zucchini onto a hot grill pan, and cook them until they are nicely charred on both sides.
After that, all that’s left to do is plate the Salmon Wellington with the Grilled Zucchini, optionally garnishing it with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan if desired.
9. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
If you’re looking for a side dish to add some sweetness and extra nutrition, roasted sweet potatoes are the way to go. Adding the sweetness of these golden spuds helps to balance out the salmon’s savory flavors.
When roasting sweet potatoes, start off by preheating your oven to around 400°F and then washing, drying and cutting them into cubes. Place the cubes in a bowl with oil and seasonings of your choice before transferring them onto a sheet tray lined with parchment paper (in order for even heating).
Roast in the oven until they have softened slightly and have taken on a caramelized hue. This usually takes about 35 minutes. The result is a simple yet delicious side dish that goes perfectly with Salmon Wellington.
10. Quinoa Salad
Whether you’re looking for a light side dish for your salmon Wellington or an interesting contrast in texture and temperature, a quinoa salad is sure to make the cut!
Cooked quinoa can be served warm or at room temperature which works especially well when paired with creamy, luxurious salmon. The perfect accompaniment for adding a bit of crunch and a vibrant twist of flavor.
To add variety to your quinoa salad, try pairing it with seasonal fruits, crunchy nuts, herbs, and zesty dressings. Feel free to experiment with different types of grains as well – fresh wheatberries and farro are great alternatives that pair nicely with the tender flakiness found in salmon Wellington.
11. Pan-Seared Mushrooms
Including mushrooms in a quinoa salad is a delicious way of expanding on the flavor profile of salmon Wellington. Mushrooms combined with quinoa provide an earthy dish that pairs nicely with the fish.
For an added element of crunch, sprinkle some toasted almond slices and feta cheese over the salad. To make the quinoa salad extra flavorful, sauté diced shallots, garlic, mushrooms and fresh thyme in olive oil and white wine vinegar until soft and condensed.
Place this mixture atop a bed of cooked quinoa (make sure to rinse it beforehand) for a savory flavor sensation. Finally, season with salt and pepper for that extra layer of flavor that takes salmon Wellington to the next level.
12. Roasted Beets
Have you ever tried roasted beets as a side dish for salmon Wellington? This succulent vegetable pairs well with the delicious fish in this classic entree. Roasting them brings out their naturally sweet and earthy flavor, making them delightful complements to this seafood dish.
When roasting beets, it’s essential to coat them with a bit of olive oil and salt before putting them in the oven; this infuses the beets with even more flavor and ensures they cook through properly.
Baking the beets at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for between 40 minutes and an hour will achieve tender and flavorful results. Serve the baked beets alongside your salmon Wellington for a memorable meal.
13. Steamed Green Beans
If I tell you that steamed green beans can help make a dinner of Salmon Wellington even more special, your first thought might be that green beans are too plain – but they don’t have to be!
Steaming retains nutrients and adds freshness, and the mildly sweet flavor showcases the tenderness of the beans beautifully. Plus, steamed green beans offer crunchiness, a pop of bright color, and a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower delicate salmon.
To prepare steamed green beans for this dish, simply snap off the ends, spread out in an even layer over boiling water in a colander or steam basket, season with salt and lemon juice to taste and enjoy.
With these simple steps, you can take your Salmon Wellington to the next level by adding a pop of freshness alongside it – steamed green beans.
14. Sautéed Kale
Sautéed kale is often an overlooked option when making the decision to serve a dish like salmon wellington. This is a pity however as this green leafy vegetable can pack in a delicious punch and be quite complementary with the flavors of a salmon wellington.
When transforming kale into sautéed greens, it’s important to make sure that you cut the pieces into bite-sized chunks or regular, uniform strips; this will not only look better when served but also help ensure that all of your ingredients are cooked evenly.
To add dimension to the taste, try including light versions of ginger and garlic to season the leaves before cooking. Steamed green beans, on the other hand, provide an easily accessible protein hit and contain fibre which aids digestion.
15. Grilled Artichokes
This list of accompaniments for Salmon Wellington would not be complete without mentioning grilled artichokes. The earthy and robust taste of artichokes pairs beautifully with the delicate rich flavor of salmon.
Plus, the pleasant crunch from grilling provides an excellent contrast to the soft flaky texture of a well-cooked Salmon Wellington. When preparing these vegetables for the plate, it is important to start by cutting them in half and removing all the prickly points with a paring knife.
Then you can prepare a marinade, containing lemon juice, garlic cloves, olive oil, salt and pepper before placing them on your pre-heated grill pan. Grill each side until they have browned lightly before adding them as the consummate side dish for your Salmon Wellington feast.
Conclusion
No matter what you choose to serve with your Salmon Wellington, it’s sure to be a hit with your guests. From simple green salads and steamed vegetables to more complex side dishes, these 15 favorites will ensure your meal is complete in every way. Bon Appetite!
