With the perfect sauce, even the most basic salmon dish can become an culinary masterpiece. For those who have mastered preparing delectable salmon, it’s time to explore the vast world of sauces that can elevate this beloved fish. Our list of 15 mouthwatering options includes everything from rich Miso Glaze to creamy Remoulade Sauce, each one capable of transforming your favorite recipe into a truly unforgettable dining experience.
As one of the most widely consumed types of fish globally, salmon has seen its popularity surge threefold in just half a century. This remarkable growth is a testament to the versatility and appeal of this protein-rich food. With its buttery, mild flavor profile and a lack of fishiness, it’s no wonder that salmon has become a staple ingredient in countless recipes.
One of the key factors contributing to salmon’s irresistible taste is its high-fat content, which is surprisingly balanced by its low fishy odor. This unique combination of fatty acids and inosinic acid lends itself perfectly to umami flavors, making salmon a sought-after choice for many home cooks and professional chefs alike. Whether you’re cooking a whole fresh salmon or enjoying individual filets, the promise of a satisfying meal is always within reach.
And yet, while salmon on its own is certainly impressive, the true magic happens when it’s paired with an expertly crafted sauce. With so many options available, from store-bought to homemade creations, the possibilities are truly endless.
For those eager to unlock their inner chef and create mouthwatering combinations that will leave everyone wanting more, we’re excited to share our top 15 sauces for salmon, starting with the zesty and bright Pesto Sauce (#11) – a game-changer for even the most simple of salmon dishes.
Miso Glaze
Enrich your salmon dish with the profound umami flavor of this Miso Glaze, crafted in mere minutes with a handful of ingredients. Miso is renowned for its role in evoking the sensation of umami, and this glaze takes that to new heights by combining it with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sriracha hot sauce, and salt. The result is a harmonious balance of savory, toasty, tangy, sweet, and briny flavors that can elevate even the humblest plate of Miso Salmon into something truly exceptional.
This Japanese-inspired sauce is so deliciously versatile that you may find yourself reaching for it as a condiment to brush on everything from meat to seafood to vegetables.
Honey-Mustard Sauce
The crux of the Honey-Mustard Salmon recipe is its signature sauce, which elevates the dish with a harmonious balance of flavors. A blend of whole-grain mustard, honey, garlic, lemon, and smoked paprika creates a unique flavor profile that complements tender salmon cooked in the oven or on the grill to perfection.
This sweet and savory sauce can be tailored to individual taste by adjusting the proportions of its ingredients – adding more mustard for a tangier flavor or incorporating additional honey for a sweeter tone.
Lemon Butter Sauce
When cooking with salmon, this rich and tangy sauce is the perfect accompaniment, elevating the briny flavor of the fish to new heights. The combination of butter, fresh lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper yields a lusciously buttery condiment that pairs equally well with roasted vegetables, chicken, pasta, or any other dish. Yet, it’s at its absolute best when drizzled generously over succulent salmon, allowing each flavorful bite to shine.
Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
The standout feature of this sauce is its ability to harmonize the subtle flavors of salmon, elevating them with a symphony of fresh and zesty notes. The union of pungent cilantro, tangy lime, and creamy sour cream creates a citrus-forward flavor profile that is perfectly suited to pairing with delicate fish fillets.
Chimichurri
Elevate your salmon dish by incorporating the bold flavor of Argentinean chimichurri sauce. This tangy and aromatic condiment is a natural pairing for grilled meats, fish, and vegetables, and its vibrant green color adds an appealing visual touch to any plate. To craft this herbaceous masterpiece, combine parsley, garlic, oregano, and red chilies, allowing the ingredients to meld together in harmony.
The result is a mouthwatering sauce that’s sure to have you serving generous spoonfuls alongside your perfectly cooked salmon.
Béarnaise Sauce
Béarnaise, a refined condiment, harmonizes beautifully with an array of fish species, and also proves to be a delightful accompaniment to chicken or steak. This luxurious sauce is deeply rooted in the legacy of Hollandaise, its rich foundation built upon a union of butter and egg yolks, tempered by the subtle nuances of tarragon vinegar and infused with a medley of herbs.
The presence of tarragon imbues Béarnaise with an unparalleled depth of flavor, yielding a sauce that is at once pale yellow in hue, creamy in texture, and indulgently luscious to taste.
Dill Sauce
This creamy Dill Sauce is a perfect match for grilled salmon, ready in under 5 minutes. The fresh and citrus-like flavor of dill herb shines through its bright and sweet taste, with a subtle herbaceous undertone that pairs beautifully with garlic and mint. As a result, this versatile herb makes an excellent complement to fish and seafood. To make this sauce, simply combine Greek yogurt, sour cream, fresh dill, chives, garlic, and lemon juice in a bowl, whisking everything together until smooth.
Let the mixture sit for some time to allow the flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in a rich and tangy accompaniment.
Honey Garlic Glaze
When it comes to pairing salmon with its perfect accompaniments, the Honey Garlic Glaze is an unbeatable choice. Its harmonious blend of flavors – think buttery richness, pungent garlic, and a balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and umami notes – makes it an absolute must-try! To bring this delectable sauce to life, simply combine butter, garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey, and lemon juice in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
As the mixture simmers, the flavors meld together, resulting in a sticky glaze that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. With its irresistible combination of zesty, spicy, and sweet profiles, this Honey Garlic Glaze is guaranteed to elevate any salmon dish!
Leek & Olive Gremolata Sauce
A simple yet flavorful condiment, this vibrant green garnish is a staple in Italian cuisine, capable of elevating the freshness of any dish. Its unique blend of ingredients, including leeks, olives, herbs, and white wine vinegar, yields a tangy yet aromatic flavor profile that pairs perfectly with salmon. This modern twist on a traditional recipe introduces a slightly more pronounced tartness, making it an excellent accompaniment to a tender piece of fish.
Coconut Lime Sauce
Inspired by the complexities of Thai coconut curry sauce, this Coconut Lime Sauce distills sophisticated flavors into a fraction of the traditional ingredients. The key to its unique character lies in caramelizing ginger, garlic, and lemongrass with sugar, creating a rich foundation for the addition of coconut milk.
By incorporating fish sauce, chili garlic paste, and a squeeze of lime juice to taste, this versatile sauce is elevated to pair exquisitely with poached salmon – and offers endless possibilities for creative applications.
Spinach Basil Pesto
When it comes to elevating the flavor of baked fish, pesto is an excellent choice. This vibrant green sauce boasts a creamy texture, herby flavors, and a stunning color. To make this recipe, combine baby spinach, basil, almonds, parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and pepper in a food processor until well combined. Feel free to customize the flavor by adding your favorite herbs and spices, such as mint, cilantro, cayenne, or paprika.
For an added burst of citrusy freshness, pair this pesto sauce with lemon and drizzle it over your salmon for a truly satisfying meal.
Tomato Basil Salsa
For a flavorful twist on traditional grilled salmon, this Tomato Basil Salsa offers an Italian-inspired flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the rich flavors of baked fish. The combination of sweet and tangy fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar creates a light and refreshing sauce that’s sure to elevate your dinner game, making it a worthy alternative to ordering out.
Apricot Dijon Glaze
A sweet and savory fusion of flavors, this apricot-dijon glaze elevates the taste of salmon to new heights. The combination of apricot preserve, grainy mustard, dijon mustard, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and garlic creates a harmonious balance of sweet, spicy, briny, and sour notes that will leave your palate craving more. To use, simply marinate your salmon in the glaze before baking, then brush with the remaining glaze after cooking for an added layer of flavor.
Beurre Blanc
The Beurre Blanc, a quintessential French butter sauce, boasts a pale yellow hue and a rich, velvety texture that’s simply divine. Its flavor profile is characterized by sweet and tangy notes, courtesy of its four primary components: butter, shallots, white wine, and white wine vinegar. The addition of herbs like parsley, thyme, and tarragon can further enhance the sauce’s depth and complexity.
While creating this indulgent condiment may require some patience – particularly when it comes to emulsifying the butter cubes at a steady pace – the end result is well worth the effort.
Remoulade Sauce
In French culinary tradition, Remoulade stands out as a tangy condiment boasting a mayonnaise base infused with mustard, herbs, pickles or capers. Its bold flavor profile makes it a natural pairing for seafood dishes, often taking center stage in Cajun and Creole cuisine. When applied to a humble pan-fried salmon, Remoulade’s zestiness can transform the dish into an extraordinary culinary experience, elevating its simplicity with an explosion of flavors.
The bottom line
Salmon’s versatility is elevated by the diverse array of sauces available, allowing you to craft a wide range of delectable dishes that pair seamlessly with this popular fish. Whether grilled, baked, or pan-fried, these sauces can add depth and complexity to your salmon creations. With 15 expertly curated options, from the savory Miso Glaze to the refined Remoulade Sauce, we’re excited to share our top picks for elevating your favorite fish.
