If you think adding salmon to your weeknight dinner rotation will be a bust (kids won’t eat it, don’t know how to cook it, too fancy for weekdays), think again. Not only is it a great source of Omega-3s, but it’s a fish a lot of kids like or are willing to try; you can make it with all sorts of seasonings and sauces, and the best part is that it usually takes no longer than 30 minutes from start to finish. To help you decide which salmon meal ideas you want to try with your family, we found—and tested a few—of the best recipes for busy nights. Try one or all of them, and be prepared to want to make a version of this popular seafood once a week.
Check out our favorite sheet pan chicken recipes, one-pot meals, and our best 30-minute meals for more quick dinner recipes.
Restaurant-Style Pan Seared Salmon
This salmon meal idea from Once Upon a Chef is perfect for weeknights because it only uses olive oil, salt, and pepper and is finished in 15 minutes. Pair it with a sauce, your family’s favorite veggies, and a side, and dinner is done.
Salmon with Lemon Dill Sauce
It wouldn’t be a round-up of amazing salmon recipes if we didn’t include one with a lemon-dill sauce! This recipe from Vikalinka has all the flavors of the popular combo but is a bit healthier since she cuts down on the amount of butter used.
Baked Teriyaki Salmon
We’ve decided that teriyaki anything is a kid-favorite dinner, and this teriyaki salmon from Erin Clarke at Well Plated is near perfection.
Easy Oven Baked Salmon
This recipe is perfect for busy families looking for easy weeknight dinner ideas. Be sure to use parchment paper or tin foil when making this easy oven-baked salmon from Kristine’s Kitchen to eliminate a step when cleaning up.
Honey Mustard Pecan Crusted Salmon
Don’t be turned away by the fancy crust on this salmon from Once Upon a Chef. It takes a few minutes to prep and is a great way to get picky eaters to try new things, like fish! You can omit the nuts if necessary; the whole meal is ready in 20 minutes.
Honey Garlic Salmon
Two of our favorite flavors come together in one of our favorite salmon meal ideas from Sally’s Baking Addiction. It only uses six ingredients, the marinade becomes a glaze, and you bake it on a sheet pan, so it’s the perfect family dinner—in our opinion, anyway.
Tuscan Salmon
Heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic combine to make a wow-worthy sauce with this salmon recipe from Carlsbad Cravings. Made in one skillet, you can leave the sauce on the side for picky eaters.
Lemon Brown Butter Salmon
Getting the butter just brown enough is the most challenging part of this fantastic salmon recipe from How Sweet Eats. You have to watch it closely, and when it’s ready for the fish, it takes almost no time after that. Plus, the flavor is so good that your family will want this dish regularly.
Salmon Tacos
You know and love your regular fish tacos, so mix it up with these fantastic salmon tacos from Chelsea’s Messy Apron. The prep work and marinating time might throw you off if it’s a busy weeknight, so make things in advance (like the salsa) or save this dish for a weekend. It’s worth it.
Coconut Curry Salmon
You might think “hot” when you think of curry, but this salmon meal idea from Pinch of Yum has a sauce that is sweet more than spicy. Serve it over a bed of rice for a perfect dinner bowl!
Air Fryer Salmon
Raise your hand if you love your air fryer. The must-have appliance of busy families everywhere is perfect for salmon, too. This recipe from Feel Good Foodie is complete in 10 minutes, which leaves you time to do one of the other hundreds of things on your list. Or to do nothing at all!
Baked Salmon in Foil
This collection of our favorite salmon meal ideas wouldn’t be complete without at least one made in foil! A classic cooking method for fish, you can easily throw in vegetables for a complete foil-packet dinner. Plus, there are many different ways to season it: butter and lemon, dill, pesto, teriyaki, and more. Get the recipe from Erin Clarke at Well Plated.
Poached Salmon
Another classic way to cook salmon is to poach it. This might bring back memories of Sunday brunches, and it’s popular for a reason. This recipe from Downshiftology calls for a little wine mixed with the water, but you can skip it if you like.
