Our 14 Best Leftover Salmon Recipes (2024)

Salmon is one of those proteins that don’t last as long as a good piece of meat.

In addition to rich protein, salmon offers several other nutritional benefits, so it’s always a great fish to serve to your family and guests. What can you do with leftover salmon? Whatever you could do with canned salmon, you can also do with leftover grilled or baked salmon.

Because of that, it’s important you find some leftoversalmon recipes where you can use up the last pieces without having to throw them away.

These top-rated salmon recipes below will give you a range of options from salads to rich entrees.

Leftover salmon may seem like a limited ingredient, but with just a few creative recipes, it can be transformed into delicious and nutritious dishes worth savoring. Repurposing cooked salmon not only helps reduce food waste but also serves as a convenient way to incorporate the healthful benefits of this lean protein and omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish into one’s daily diet.

Exploring various cuisines and flavor combinations can lend versatility and excitement to any meal made with leftover salmon. From hearty salads to comforting pasta dishes, to globally-inspired rice bowls, the possibilities are endless. These simple yet satisfying recipes will ensure that no leftover salmon goes to waste, all while tantalizing the taste buds and filling the plate with a wide range of irresistible flavors.

When experimenting with these recipes, remember that the key to success lies in enhancing the taste of the salmon through well-balanced flavors and textures. Combining tender, flaky salmon with fresh ingredients and a complementary sauce or dressing can elevate the dish to new heights. Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a leisurely weekend brunch, these recipes will breathe new life into leftover salmon, making it a truly versatile ingredient in any kitchen.

So if you’re wondering what to do with leftover salmon, the choices below will help you get started and turn your leftovers into an entirely different dish.

After trying some of these recipes you’ll no longer have to worry about what to make with leftover salmon.

Sit back and choose your favorites from the 14 best leftover salmon recipes below so you can have less waste and more great-tasting food.

Source: twokooksinthekitchen.com

1. Coconut Curry Salmon

If you have some leftover salmon you’re wondering what to do with, throw it in this coconut curry recipe.

The curry has strong flavors that will help to cover up any day-old salmon taste.

You can serve it over some rice so that it is a bit more filling.

If you really want it to be authentic, get some naan bread and soak up all the great flavors of it.

Source: sweetandsavorymeals.com

2. Salmon Cakes

When you fry up some salmon into a homemade cake you’ll wonder why you didn’t try this recipe before.

It’s definitely one of the top rated salmon recipes when you’re looking to get rid of some leftovers.

All you need is some leftover cooked salmon, some seasonings, and a few other ingredients to create a dish that is a real treat anytime.

There are not too many leftover salmon recipes out there that can stand up to these tasty patties that have just the right amount of spices mixed in with the salmon pieces.

These are great to have all on their own but you can make a great seafood sauce to dip them in too. A homemade tartar sauce with a little lemon juice will go a long way with this recipe.

Serve these up with some fresh salad or asparagus to round out the flavors and you’ll start finding reasons to make extra salmon.

Source: startsat60.com

3. Salmon Quiche

Having a quiche is a perfect way to throw in some of your leftover roasted salmon because the dish works with practically any ingredients.

You can make a super savory quiche or you can mix it up with a ton of veggies.

What’s nice about a quiche too, is that once you mix up the ingredients you stick it all in the oven and focus on your other errands till it’s ready.

Making a beautifully flaky crust is also a great way to make your quiche stand out. If you’re trying to save time though you can buy a store-made crust.

Throw some fresh chopped chives on top of your quiche to really make it pop.

Source: afamilyfeast.com

4. Leftover Salmon Pasta Salad

What’s great about this salmon pasta salad is that you can make it with either canned salmon or leftover grilled salmon.

It doesn’t matter because this salad works well whether you use fresh, tinned salmon, or even smoked salmon.

The dressing for the pasta salad uses a number of ingredients including sour cream and mayo to give it that creamy flavor and texture that makes the dish so appetizing.

You’ll want to serve up this pasta salad cold so it’s a good recipe for those hot summer months when you don’t want anything too heavy.

You can even mix in some other ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes and black olives to give it that Mediterranean flair you’d expect from such a dish.

It’s such a versatile salad that you can serve it as the main course or as an appetizer at your next party.

A side of mashed potato really hits the spot with this salmon recipe.

Source: healthyfitnessmeals.com

5. Salmon Pasta

There are few dishes that integrate perfectly with leftover wild salmon as a creamy pasta dish.

The alfredo-like sauce matches perfectly with the leftover fish because it adds some depth.

There are many different ways you could prepare this recipe depending on your tastes and how much time you have to make it.

You can mix up the type of noodles you use in the dish or add some Italian ingredients like fresh spinach to mix up the flavors.

This is the perfect dinner meal to use up your salmon because the flavors will hide the fact that your salmon is a day or two old.

Serve this up with some classic garlic bread so you can soak up all those great sauce flavors. Make sure you have some lemon wedges on the side too, because the citrus adds a great flavor to the mix.

Source: thetwobiteclub.com

6. Salmon Dip

The easiest way to get rid of your salmon leftovers is to make a dip. The dip helps when you don’t have fresh salmon but still want a way to incorporate it into a dish.

This simple recipe takes very little effort to make and you’ll love dipping crackers, chips, or whatever else you want in the creamy goodness of this salmon spread.

The key to making a great dip is finding a good base that gives it that rich flavor and also holds up the salmon pieces without them getting too mushy.

This recipe is easy to make so there is no excuse not to try it out.

You can even get creative with the ingredients here by adding in some capers or other spices you might have lying around to give your salmon dip an extra boost of flavor.

Since this recipe uses sour cream, mayo, and cream cheese, it has a nice creamy consistency that works nicely for dipping.

Source: foolproofliving.com

7. Salmon Nicoise Salad

The Nicoise salad is French and usually includes hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, green beans, olives, anchovies, and tuna.

But using leftover salmon filet makes this recipe taste much better because it adds a new depth of flavor that combines with the greens perfectly.

The best part about the Nicoise salad is that there are so many different ways to put it together that you could create your own version of this recipe.

It’s a great way to use up leftover salmon without having the same dish over and over again because it mixes the flavors with a wide variety of ingredients.

This is a good lunch dish when you’re in a hurry but also want something healthy.

You could even skip making your own vinaigrette if you’re short on time and instead buy some store-bought.

Source: bonappetit.com

8. Salmon Fried Rice

If you’ve never tried salmon in your fried rice then you’re really missing out.

The richness of this fish compliments fried rice very well and you will find that leftover salmon almost has a sweet taste to it when you combine it with other ingredients in this dish.

There are some simple steps to follow to get the best results for this fried rice recipe because making it right can be challenging.

Luckily, this recipe takes you step-by-step on how to make the perfect fried rice with salmon.

You can also sneak a ton of veggies into this dish so it’s a great one to make with kids who are picky eaters.

Source: tasteofhome.com

9. Salmon Chowder

When the weather starts getting a little colder outside, it’s time to bust out this salmon chowder recipe.

The flavors are perfect when it’s cold outside because it warms you from the inside out.

This is a great way to use up leftover salmon because this dish has a certain creaminess that makes it taste perfect.

Plus, chowder is one of those dishes that’s easy to make and doesn’t require much time so if you’re looking for an easy way to use up leftover salmon, then this is the recipe for you.

You’ll love how good this tastes and will probably start making it as a part of your regular dinner rotation once you have a bite.

Just make enough to have some extra because you’ll want a bowl the next day too.

Source: aggieskitchen.com

10. Salmon and Egg Scramble

If you’re looking for an easy recipe to incorporate your salmon this is your go-to option.

All you need is to cook your ingredients and then mix them into a scramble with egg, cheese, and salmon pieces.

You can’t go wrong with this simple salmon scramble for breakfast or any other meal.

It’s also an easy way to make a healthier breakfast since you can control the ingredients and making it yourself will ensure that you avoid any additives or other hidden ingredients in store-bought scrambles.

You’ll never get tired of this recipe because there are a ton of different ways you can make it so it’s perfect to mix up leftover salmon.

You could even turn this into an entire salmon omelet if you want to bulk up your eggs and breakfast meals.

Source: melangery.com

11. Salmon Soufflé

Souffle is a great dish to make when you have leftovers of almost anything because it’s a simple dish.

Salmon soufflé is a popular choice for a leftover recipe because it doesn’t take much effort to put together but the end result tastes wonderful.

You could even skip making the white sauce that usually accompanies this dish and just go with a simple lemon butter sauce to cut down on time and effort.

Even if you don’t, it’s still going to taste great, so who cares how long it takes to make.

It’s a great way to try something different with your salmon and still have a meal that is good enough to stand on its own.

Source: cooking-therapy.com

12. Salmon Spring Rolls

This simple-to-make salmon spring roll is perfect for parties or even for dinner.

You can put out a platter of these salmon spring rolls and watch them disappear in front of your eyes because there’s something appetizing about this dish that people just love.

They are so easy to make, you could even get kids involved so they can have fun while eating healthy food.

All you need is a little arugula to place in the center of the roll and then add whatever other ingredients you’d like into your salmon spring rolls.

You’ll be amazed at how good these taste especially if you dip them in some spicy peanut sauce.

They are a great way to use up leftover salmon because the flavors work well together and make for a light meal or appetizer.

The best part is, they are easy to eat so you won’t have to worry about spilling crumbs all over the place during your next party with family and friends.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com

13. Salmon Caesar Salad

Nothing goes better with a caesar salad than some leftover salmon.

The salmon fillet mixes perfectly with the flavors of the caesar because it adds a new depth and taste that you wouldn’t get otherwise.

This is more of a lunch dish but you could have it as a dinner appetizer too.

Salmon salad is one of those dishes where it doesn’t matter what ingredients you use as long as they taste good together and complement each other’s flavors.

You could go the extra mile and create your own caesar dressing to really bring out the flavors in this meal.

Otherwise, buy some store-bought dressing to save some time. If you do buy your dressing ahead of time, this recipe takes practically no time to make.

That is especially true if you buy the entire caesar salad pre-made from the store too.

Source: seriouseats.com

14. Dill Salmon Sandwiches

People love the combination of dill and salmon because it gives the fish a different taste that you don’t get with other recipes.

It’s important to remember that when using fresh dill in your recipe, be sure to use it right before serving because over time, this herb will lose its flavor and the entire dish won’t have the same zing.

This is more of an adult appetizer or sandwich because it has a tangy taste that’s perfect for parties and gatherings.

You could essentially make salmon patties to fit in your sandwiches.

So if you’re trying to impress your friends during the next get-together, then this is one recipe you have to try, especially since it’s so easy to make.

All you need is a few basic ingredients, a little time, and lots of salmon to make your next great leftover salmon recipe.