Deciding on dinner mid-week can be exhausting. But having a go-to recipe that’s tasty and easy to make can save you time and energy in the kitchen. For many people, salmon is a top choice for protein-packed dinners. It’s quick to cook, healthy, and pairs well with various flavor profiles. Still, coming up with something new and exciting isn’t always easy. While we love the combination of herbs like dill and parsley with lemon and butter, there comes a point when our tastebuds crave more.

Luckily, salmon is anything but one-note. From creamy sauces to pasta dishes, salads, and rice bowls, there are many ways to make salmon enjoyable. Even better? Most meals starring the king of seafood take little time to prepare, so you can have a delicious meal in no time. Unlike more delicate fish or poultry, salmon works beautifully with different seasons and pairs with almost any vegetable or grain side. To inspire your next meal or snack, we’ve gathered five amazing salmon recipes below. Trust us, you’ll want to bookmark these for later and maybe even make one tonight.

Marry Me Salmon

Ingredients  

• 3–4 salmon fillets, skinned
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup chicken stock, unsalted
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
• 5 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil

Instructions

1. Add all of the dry seasonings to a small bowl and mix with a spoon until combined.
2. Sprinkle half of the seasoning mix to the salmon filets and rub it into both sides thoroughly.
3. Add the olive oil to a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned salmon flesh side down first and sear on each side for about 5 minutes, then remove from the pan and set aside.
4. Add the chopped garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes on low heat.
5. Add the chicken stock and deglaze the bottom of the pan, scraping up any brown bits, then add the heavy cream, fresh parmesan cheese, and remaining seasoning mix and stir.
6. Increase the heat to medium-low to simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Season to taste with extra salt and pepper if needed.
7. Place the salmon back into the skillet, spooning the sauce over the salmon.
8. Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until desired tenderness is achieved.
9. Garnish with basil, and enjoy.

Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packs

Ingredients

• 4 salmon filets
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
• 1 cup artichoke hearts, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper, and prepare four separate foil packets.
2. Add one piece of salmon to each foil packet. Evenly distribute the olive oil, salt, and pepper over the four pieces of salmon.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts, and garlic. Then, add the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper and mix until all are combined.
4. Divide the tomato mixture among the four foil packets, placing the mixture on top of the salmon.
5. Wrap the foil packets up, again, it’s okay if the top is not fully covered, but do your best to cover it as much as possible.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until salmon flakes with fork. Unwrap packets and top with crumbled feta and dill.
7. Serve with rice or another grain of choice.

Firecracker Salmon

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Heinz chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 pinch crushed red chili flakes
• 4 skin off salmon fillets
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper taste
• 1/4 cup chives, chopped

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, ginger, olive oil, soy sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and red chili flakes.
2. Season salmon with salt, pepper and paprika, then add salmon fillets to the marinade, turning each to coat in the sauce evenly.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 370°F.
5. Add oil to an ovenproof skillet and place salmon in the pan. Sear for 2-3 minutes on both sides, undisturbed, to get nice crust.
6. Transfer to plate and repeat with remaining salmon, then return all salmon fillets to the skillet.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
8. Garnish with chopped chives and serve with sides of your choice.

Savory Salmon Cakes

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh salmon filet
• Lawry’s Garlic Salt to taste
• Black Pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons mayo
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven to 425˚F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place salmon skin-side down, brush with olive oil and season to taste with garlic salt and black pepper.
3. Bake uncovered for 10-15 min or just until cooked through.
4. Remove from oven, cover with foil, and rest for ten minutes. Discard skin and flake salmon with a fork, removing any bones. Then, allow it to cool to room temp while prepping the remaining ingredients.
5. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add one tablespoon olive oil, one tablespoon butter, and the diced onion and bell pepper, then saute until softened and golden. Once cooked, remove the pan from the stove.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled flaked salmon, sautéed onion and pepper, bread crumbs, beaten eggs, mayo, Worcestershire sauce, one teaspoon garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 cup fresh parsley.
7. Stir to combine, then form into 13-14 patties.
8. Heat 1 tablespoon oil and one tablespoon butter in a large pan over medium heat add half of the salmon cakes and sauté, about 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.
9. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add remaining oil and butter and repeat cooking the remaining salmon cakes.

Salmon Caesar Salad

Ingredients

• 1 lemon, halved
• Garlic powder to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 wild skin-on salmon fillets
• 7 cups romaine lettuce
• Caesar dressing

Instructions

1. Season salmon with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a few splashes of lemon juice.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and place salmon skin-side-down.
3. Cover and cook without turning for 5 minutes or until the skin browns. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes, depending on the thickness, until the salmon is cooked through.
4. Remove from pan.
5. Prepare your bowl of fresh lettuce, then gently place salmon filet on top.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and squeeze juice from the other half of the lemon.
7. Top with your favorite Caesar dressing and enjoy.