26 High-Protein Salmon Dinners for Weeknights

February 15, 2021

Skip gallery slides

Credit: Jacob Fox

Make a filling and flavorful dinner with these salmon recipes. Salmon is a great source of protein and is full of heart-healthy, brain-boosting omega-3 fats. We pair this healthy fish with vegetables, pasta or whole grains to create a satisfying, high-protein dinner with at least 15 grams protein per serving. Try recipes like One-Skillet Salmon & Sun-Dried Tomato Couscous and Jerk-Spiced Salmon & Quinoa Bowl with Mango Vinaigrette for a tasty meal that’s perfect for weeknights.

Start Slideshow

1 of 26

Sheet-Pan Chili-Lime Salmon with Potatoes & Peppers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Busy weeknights beg for something simple like this salmon sheet-pan dinner. Like the name suggests, it's all cooked on one pan. The potatoes get a head start, followed by sweet bell peppers and finally chili-coated salmon fillets. It's a complete meal with easy cleanup!

Advertisement

Advertisement

2 of 26

Jerk-Spiced Salmon & Quinoa Bowl with Mango Vinaigrette

Credit: Jacob Fox

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Chef Millie Peartree has been feeding the community in the Bronx, where she grew up, as a private chef, caterer and restaurant owner of Millie Peartree’s Fish Fry & Soul Food for more than a decade. Her healthy-eating philosophy is all about making simple but flavorful protein-packed meals. Mango juice in the vinaigrette balances the spiced salmon and roasted vegetables on these grain bowls.

3 of 26

One-Skillet Salmon with Fennel & Sun-Dried Tomato Couscous

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sun-dried tomato pesto and lemon do double duty to season both the salmon and the couscous in this healthy one-pan dinner recipe. Serve the salmon with extra lemon wedges and a dollop of plain yogurt, if desired.

Advertisement

4 of 26

Greek Roasted Fish with Vegetables

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This dish is packed with flavor and fits perfectly into a Mediterranean diet.

5 of 26

Sheet-Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The vibrant combo of cheese, cilantro, chili, and lime--inspired by Mexican street corn--makes this salmon sheet-pan dinner burst with flavor.

6 of 26

15-Minute Salmon & Creamy Orzo with Spinach & Mushrooms

Credit: Brie Passano

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this quick salmon dinner, salmon fillets are paired with creamy orzo, wilted spinach and earthy mushrooms. Cooking the salmon at a high temperature helps speed up the cooking in this healthy dinner recipe. Look for pre-sliced mushrooms to speed it up even more.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7 of 26

Dijon Salmon with Green Bean Pilaf

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this quick dinner recipe, the delicious garlicky-mustardy mayo that tops baked salmon is very versatile. Make extra to use as a dip for fries or to jazz up tuna salad. Precooked brown rice helps get this healthy dinner on the table fast, but if you have other leftover whole grains, such as quinoa or farro, they work well here too.

8 of 26

Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy salmon dinner, you'll get a dose of greens and green dressing! Chowing down on 6 or more servings of dark leafy greens a week can help keep your brain in top shape. This dish features the Test Kitchen's current go-to method for doctoring a can of chickpeas: spice them up and roast until crispy.

9 of 26

Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This zesty quinoa salad is delicious all on its own, with some serious Mediterranean flair. Make a double batch for lunches later in the week.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10 of 26

Creamed Spinach-Stuffed Salmon

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

For this easy baked salmon recipe, we've stuffed salmon fillets with a luscious creamed spinach mixture for a main and side in one dish. It all adds up to a healthy dinner that's elegant, simple and delicious--and ready in 30 minutes. Wider fillets work best for this salmon recipe because they're easier to stuff than the skinny ones. You could also serve the creamed spinach on the side if you don't feel like stuffing the salmon.

11 of 26

Salmon Burgers with Quick Pickled Cucumbers

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These healthy salmon burgers call for canned salmon, which makes them an economical and easy dinner. The quick-pickled cucumbers in this recipe are a great introduction to the world of pickling. If you enjoy them, you can make additional batches by following Steps 1 and 2.

12 of 26

Salmon and Couscous Casserole

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Salmon is tossed with couscous, spinach, and roasted red peppers, then topped with toasted almonds for a light and easy meal that's ready in less than 30 minutes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13 of 26

Lemon-Herb Salmon with Caponata & Farro

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Dig into your farmers' market haul to cook this colorful and healthy Mediterranean diet dinner recipe that's packed with vegetables. Feel free to swap in any vegetables or cook up another whole grain, such as brown rice. Serve with a glass of your favorite red wine.

14 of 26

Honey-Chipotle Salmon with Cauliflower Rice Pilaf

Credit: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This sweet and spicy glazed salmon is sure to satisfy anyone at your table. Swapping in cauliflower rice for traditional rice not only sneaks in a serving of vegetables, it also saves time, as it takes just minutes to cook.

15 of 26

Roasted Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Broccoli

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy one-pan roasted salmon with broccoli is quick enough for weeknight dinners but elegant enough for company. The lemony pistachio crust would also be lovely on other types of fish or on chicken breasts.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

16 of 26

Sweet & Spicy Roasted Salmon with Wild Rice Pilaf

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh jalapeños give this quick and easy roasted salmon dish its kick; honey and balsamic vinegar give it a sweet finish. A nutty-tasting wild rice pilaf completes this healthy dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes.

17 of 26

Grilled Salmon with Kale Sauté

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this healthy dinner recipe, salmon fillets are seasoned with a zesty dry rub, grilled and served with a simple side--lemon-seasoned sautéed kale and shallots. Sometimes simple is best!

18 of 26

Salmon with Asparagus & Mushrooms

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mushrooms and salmon are both naturally high in vitamin D, so you get a double dose in this 45-minute dinner recipe.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

19 of 26

Southwest Salmon Chowder

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Perfect for a cold day, this salmon chowder is an excellent source of high quality lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. As an added bonus, this low-effort chowder can be prepared in less than an hour.

20 of 26

Edamame & Salmon Stir-Fry with Miso Butter Edamame & Salmon Stir-Fry with Miso Butter

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

One bite of this healthy stir-fry recipe and you'll start thinking about what else you can stir miso butter into. Spread the miso butter on roast chicken or toss it with steamed vegetables. Serve with rice noodles or brown rice.

21 of 26

Roasted Salmon with White Bean Ragout Roasted Salmon with White Bean Ragout

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this easy dinner recipe, salmon fillets seasoned with salt and pepper are roasted and served on a stew-like ragout of cannellini beans, chard, and cherry tomatoes. A light sprinkling of Pecorino Romano cheese delivers a finishing touch to this healthy meal.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

22 of 26

Salmon with Roasted Vegetables & Quinoa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy salmon recipe has everything you want for a complete meal: omega-3-rich salmon, protein-packed quinoa and lots of vegetables. Drizzled with a maple-lemon dressing, this healthy quinoa dinner also makes a delicious next-day lunch.

23 of 26

Spice-Seared Salmon with Greek-Style Green Beans

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Preparing this spice-seared salmon recipe is a joy for the senses! Rubbing salmon with spices creates a light, delicious main course. Serve this recipe with roasted potatoes or brown rice. If you have leftover salmon, serve it on top of a simple salad for a satisfying lunch the next day.

24 of 26

Honey Mustard Salmon with Mango Quinoa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this 30-minute dinner recipe, grilled, honey mustard-coated salmon is served with a tasty grain salad made with quinoa, mango, jalapeño and almonds.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

25 of 26

Warm Farro Salad with Salmon, Mushrooms & Sweet Potatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Farro is a type of wheat with large, plump grains that remain slightly al dente when cooked. If you can't find it, you can use bulgur instead. Both pair deliciously with the roasted vegetables and salmon, which are cooked on the same sheet pan for an easy, healthy meal.

26 of 26

Salmon & Eggplant Curry

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Salmon and eggplant team up in this one-skillet curry flavored with coconut milk, basil and lime. We love the flavor of Thai yellow curry paste in this dish, but any type of curry paste can be used--be sure to taste as you go because curry blends vary in flavor and heat. If you don't have curry paste, curry powder works well here. Serve with fragrant brown rice, such as basmati or jasmine.

Up Next