15 Irresistible Salmon Recipes (And 10 You’ll Want To Make Every Week)

Salmon can pull off date-night fancy or weeknight easy without breaking a sweat. It loves bright citrus, bold glazes, and those crispy edges you cannot stop chasing with your fork.

Here are 15 make-it-feel-special dinners plus 10 weekly heroes you will cook on repeat. Grab a fillet, preheat the pan, and let’s make dinner both practical and exciting.

1. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Sticky, sweet, and savory, this honey garlic glazed salmon gives you restaurant shine with pantry ease. Sear the fillets until the edges turn golden, then whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of rice vinegar into a syrupy glaze.

You’ll spoon it over the fish and watch it cling beautifully.

Serve with fluffy rice and quick greens, letting the sauce drip into every bite. The garlic perfumes your kitchen in minutes, making it feel like a treat on a Tuesday.

Finish with sesame seeds and a squeeze of lemon for bright contrast.

2. Maple Dijon Salmon

This maple Dijon salmon leans sweet-tangy and caramelizes like a dream. Stir maple syrup, Dijon, a little olive oil, garlic, and black pepper, then brush generously over the fillet.

As it bakes, the glaze bubbles and turns glossy, making the fish look dinner-party ready with no stress.

Pair with roasted carrots or Brussels sprouts for an easy sheet-pan solution. You get that satisfying bite where the edges turn sticky and the center stays tender.

A final sprinkle of fresh thyme and flaky salt brings the whole plate together beautifully.

3. Lemon Butter Salmon With Capers

Bright lemon, rich butter, and briny capers make this salmon feel like a confident move. Sear the fillets until the skin or surface crisps, then build a quick pan sauce with butter, garlic, lemon juice, and capers.

It tastes elegant but comes together faster than a side salad.

Serve it with roasted potatoes or a peppery arugula pile. The sauce is spoonable and tangy, perfect for dragging through flaky bites.

If you love balanced flavors, this one hits every note and convinces everyone you know exactly what you’re doing in the kitchen.

4. Garlic Parmesan Crusted Salmon

Here’s a crunchy, cheesy top that turns baked salmon into something extra. Mix panko, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil until it feels like damp sand.

Press onto the fillet and bake until the crumbs toast and the fish flakes gently beneath.

The crust gives you savory depth and texture in every forkful. Add a quick squeeze of lemon to wake it up, and pair with a simple Caesar or buttered asparagus.

It looks fancy, tastes cozy, and asks almost nothing of you on a busy night.

5. Miso Glazed Salmon

Deep umami and a glossy finish make miso glazed salmon unforgettable. Whisk white miso, mirin, soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, and a touch of ginger until smooth.

Brush generously and broil until slightly charred at the edges while the center stays tender and silky.

Serve with hot rice and quick greens like bok choy or spinach. The savory sweetness clings to each bite, and you’ll want extra sauce for the plate.

Finish with scallions and sesame seeds for crunch and color, then call it dinner with minimal fuss.

6. Teriyaki Salmon With Sesame

This teriyaki salmon gives you that classic sweet-savory lacquer. Simmer soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a little rice vinegar until syrupy, then brush and bake or pan-sear.

It thickens into a shiny coat that tastes like your favorite takeout, only fresher and faster.

Finish with toasted sesame seeds and scallions for nutty crunch. You can spoon extra sauce over rice or steamed broccoli and let everything mingle.

It’s reliable, forgiving, and crowd-friendly, especially when weeknights feel rushed and you still want something that tastes intentional and satisfying.

7. Blackened Cajun Salmon

Smoky, spicy, and bold, this blackened Cajun salmon brings instant energy to dinner. Pat fillets dry, rub with a Cajun spice mix, and sear in a hot cast-iron skillet until the crust darkens and crackles.

The inside stays juicy while the outside turns deeply flavorful.

Serve with a cool corn and avocado salad or simple slaw to balance the heat. A squeeze of lemon cuts through the richness beautifully.

If you need something exciting without extra steps, this delivers big flavor fast and makes leftovers that taste just as thrilling.

8. Creamy Tuscan Salmon

This creamy Tuscan salmon is pure comfort in a skillet. After searing the fish, simmer garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and a little Parmesan until lush.

Wilt in spinach, nestle the salmon back, and let the sauce cling to every flake like a warm blanket.

It’s rich without feeling heavy when you brighten with a squeeze of lemon. Serve with crusty bread or buttered noodles to catch every drop.

Weeknights suddenly feel special, and you barely did anything beyond stirring and smiling. Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, making lunch the next day something to look forward to.

9. Salmon Piccata

Think chicken piccata’s zest but tailored for salmon. Sear the fillets, then build a quick pan sauce with butter, lemon juice, capers, and a splash of stock or wine.

It’s bright, briny, and silky, with just enough richness to feel indulgent without heaviness.

Serve alongside orzo, polenta, or roasted potatoes. The sauce practically begs for bread to swipe the plate clean.

Add parsley for freshness, and adjust lemon to taste. If you want fast elegance, this dish behaves like a classic and still respects your time on a weeknight.

10. Crispy Skin Salmon With Pan Sauce

That shatter-crisp skin makes dinner feel dramatic. Pat the fish dry, season simply, and cook skin-side down in a hot skillet without moving it until the edges turn golden and the skin lifts easily.

Flip briefly, then build a pan sauce with butter, lemon, or white wine and herbs.

Spoon the sauce around the fish, not over the skin, to keep it crisp. Serve with green beans or a light salad.

You get gorgeous texture, clean flavors, and a little chef energy without stress or fancy gear. It’s simple, confident cooking.

11. Salmon Cakes With Lemon Aioli

These salmon cakes turn leftovers into something you’d happily pay for at lunch. Mix flaked cooked salmon with panko, scallions, Dijon, lemon zest, and an egg, then pan-fry until golden and crisp.

The insides stay tender, the edges crunch, and the kitchen smells amazing.

Whisk a fast lemon aioli with mayo, garlic, and lemon juice for dipping or drizzling. Serve with arugula or tuck into brioche buns.

They freeze well, reheat nicely, and make meal prep feel upgraded. You end up with versatility for salads, bowls, or quick snacks.

12. Pesto Salmon With Roasted Tomatoes

Fresh pesto turns salmon into a five-ingredient wonder. Slather basil pesto over the fillet, scatter cherry tomatoes, and roast until the fish just flakes.

The tomatoes burst into sweet juice that mixes with herby oil, giving you a ready-made pan sauce.

Add toasted pine nuts for crunch and a squeeze of lemon for sparkle. Serve with orzo or crusty bread, and dinner feels summery even in January.

It’s fast, colorful, and generous with flavor, exactly what a weeknight needs when you still want it to feel special.

13. Coconut Curry Salmon

Silky coconut milk and warm spices make this salmon deeply comforting. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger, add curry paste or powder, then pour in coconut milk and simmer until fragrant.

Nestle salmon pieces into the sauce and cook gently so they stay tender and luscious.

Finish with lime juice and cilantro to brighten everything. Spoon over rice and let the sauce soak in.

It’s cozy without being heavy, and leftovers taste even better. This is the meal you make when you want big flavor and minimal effort, all in one pot.

14. Salmon en Papillote (Foil or Parchment)

Cooking salmon en papillote feels like opening a present. Place the fish on parchment or foil with lemon, herbs, and thin veggies, then seal the packet.

As it bakes, everything steams together, creating a gently perfumed sauce from the fish’s own juices.

It’s simple, healthy, and wildly adaptable. Add garlic butter, a splash of white wine, or a few capers if you like briny notes.

Serve the packet straight onto the plate for drama and easy cleanup. It’s perfect for guests and ideal when you want delicate texture and bright flavor.

15. Brown Sugar Chili Salmon

Sweet heat meets weeknight easy with this brown sugar chili salmon. Mix brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt, then rub generously over the fillet.

Bake until the top caramelizes and the edges turn sticky, giving you that irresistible sweet-spicy bite.

Serve with lime wedges and cilantro for freshness. It pairs well with corn salad, rice, or a quick slaw.

If you like flavor that pops without a complicated sauce, this rub delivers. Leftovers make great tacos or bowls, so you’ll happily plan for extra.