20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (2024)

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (1)

By Katherine Gillen

Published Mar 3, 2021

So you roasted a big, fancy salmon fillet for last night’s meal…and now you’re stuck with what feels like a fridge full of fish. But lucky for you, your leftovers are actually pretty versatile—not to mention time saving and delicious. With these 20 leftover salmon recipes, you’ll be eating healthy, reducing food waste and getting dinner on the table in no time. We call that a win-win-win.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Salmon Blt

If you already have a salmon fillet from last night waiting in the fridge, you’re halfway there. Plus, everyone knows leftovers taste better cold.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2. Salmon Bowl With Farro, Black Beans And Tahini Dressing

Leftover fish and hearty salads are a match made in heaven. Since it’s best served room-temp, you could even pack it for lunch.

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3. Creamy Bowtie Pasta With Salmon And Asparagus

Coterie member Heidi Larsen knows that a little pasta goes a long way to elevate your humble leftovers. Ditto for the freshly grated Parmesan garnish.

4. Salmon Fajita Salad Boats

Think of this as the ultimate fridge cleanout opportunity. Throw whatever veggies you have in a skillet, garnish with yogurt or sour cream and voilà, dinner is served.

5. Easy Keto Salmon Cakes

They take less than 15 minutes to make and are keto diet-friendly. Need we say more?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Salmon And Smashed Cucumber Grain Bowl

Want to brighten it up a notch? Squeeze some fresh lemon juice on top right before you dig in.

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7. Honey Barbecue Baked Salmon Bowls

Leftover rice (or quinoa), meet leftover salmon. By adding a new component (like a sauce), your repeat meal becomes a masterpiece.

8. Greek Salmon Salad Bowls

You probably have most of the ingredients in your fridge already. Use a fork to break up your leftover cooked salmon for some welcome textural contrast.

9. Low-carb Salmon Salad

Yep, it’s not just convenient to repurpose last night’s dinner. It’s also incredibly healthy.

10. Sweet Potato Salmon Cakes

Swap the canned fish for leftover cooked salmon and you’ll be surprised at how fast these babies come together—we’re talking 15 minutes from start to finish. Thanks, Coterie member Monique Volz.

12. Salmon Rillettes

What are rillettes, you ask? They’re a fancy French way of saying “salmon spread on toast.” They’re also delicious.

11. Salmon And Quinoa Bowls With Kale And Tahini-yogurt Sauce

Allow Coterie member Phoebe Lapine to demonstrate that sometimes, leftovers taste better than the first time around. (We’re chocking it up to that tahini dressing.)

13. Yummy Salmon Burgers With Slaw

As if the crispy, pan-fried salmon burgers weren’t enough on their own, they’re paired with a tangy slaw that’s beyond easy to make. And with “yummy” in the name, how can you resist?

14. Easy Salmon And Dill Salad

Give us a cold salad and we’ll go weak in the knees. The only question left to answer: Should we pair it with matchstick veggies or crackers (or both)?

20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (16)

Spoon Fork Bacon

15. Roasted Salmon And Strawberry Grain Bowl

One bite and we’ve never felt healthier. The best part of all is that if you already have leftover cooked salmon, you can eliminate a few steps (and use it straight from the fridge).

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16. Salmon Cakes With Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

This red pepper sauce is a thing of beauty on its own, but paired with the dill-flecked salmon cakes? Swoon.

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17. Salmon And Fennel Dinner Salad

Enjoy this lovely salad as a satisfying lunch or dinner—no side dishes necessary.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18. Sheet Pan Eggs With Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese And Dill

It’s tasty with toast and a mimosa—and even better on a bagel sandwich.

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (20)

Hey Keto Mama

19. Keto Salmon Sushi Bowl

No rice, no problem, try this salmon sushi bowl made with cauliflower rice.

Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Layered Smoked Salmon Dip With Mini Bagel Chips

Picture everything you’d smear onto a bagel—from smoked salmon to chives to capers—bountifully stacked up on a plate.

Get the recipe

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (22)

Katherine Gillen

Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...

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20 Leftover Salmon Recipes for Busy Weeknights (2024)

FAQs

How do you eat leftover salmon? ›

Eating cold leftover salmon is a great way to save time and effort. You don't have to worry about reheating it or going through the whole cooking process again. I like to eat it as is, make salmon salad out of it, add it to a salad or even make a sandwich.

What to do with a lot of salmon? ›

Here are 11 things to do with this incredibly versatile fish.
  1. Cook the whole side. If you're serving a crowd, you can grill or roast a whole side of salmon. ...
  2. Treat it like beef. ...
  3. Toss it in pasta. ...
  4. Put it in a sandwich (or a taco). ...
  5. Add it to hash. ...
  6. Make cakes (or burgers). ...
  7. Jar it. ...
  8. Give it a hot oil treatment.
May 23, 2017

How long is leftover salmon good for? ›

How Long Does Cooked Salmon Last In the Fridge? Under the same refrigeration conditions, cooked salmon will last 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Cooked salmon only lasts a couple of days more than its raw counterparts, as the temperature in the refrigerator only slows down bacterial growth and spoilage.

What to do with dry cooked salmon? ›

Think adding a sauce or broth: swap salmon in that tuna salad with some mayo and Dijon, make it a creamy pasta protein addition, flake it into a seafood chowder or curry, or run it in the food processor and form it into patties to sear and serve with a generous dollop of avocado cream.

Can you eat five day old cooked salmon? ›

Information. Cooked fish and other seafood can be safely stored in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not prevent bacterial growth. Therefore, it's important to use food within recommended time before it spoils or becomes dangerous.

Is it better to reheat salmon or eat it cold? ›

Salmon has a particularly great texture after it has been cooked and cooled, and you can use it in a whole swath of great summer salads. And since it has a strong taste to begin with, eating it cold doesn't dull its flavor and it can stand up to crunchy vegetable counterparts and acid-tinged dressings.

Is eating salmon 3 times a week too much? ›

So, just how much salmon can you eat in a day or week? While there's no strict daily limit per se, two to three servings of fish per week is generally recommended by the FDA, according to Hill. On the flip side, if you're eating salmon every day, she says that you could also be at risk for a lack of nutrient variety.

What is a good sauce to eat with salmon? ›

7 Easy Sauces for Salmon
  • Creamy Horseradish Dill Sauce.
  • Spicy Maple Mustard Sauce.
  • Hot Honey Butter Sauce.
  • Brown Sugar Teriyaki Sauce.
  • Miso Lemon Butter Sauce.
  • Buttery Caper Sauce.
  • Caramelized Honey Miso Sauce.
Feb 6, 2023

Can you freeze leftover salmon? ›

Cooked salmon can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. This duration ensures that when you're ready to savor it again, it retains much of its original flavor and texture. Thaw your salmon carefully.

Can I eat leftover cooked salmon? ›

Yes. Leftover salmon is perfectly safe to eat as long as you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat it in 3-4 days. How can you tell if salmon has gone bad? Salmon that has gone bad will have a strong fishy smell and possibly smell like ammonia.

Can you save cooked salmon for leftovers? ›

According to the USDA, you can safely store cooked salmon in the fridge for three to four days.

Can I reheat cooked salmon? ›

The key is to reheat your cold leftover salmon at a low temperature. Slowly reheat it to keep it moist and flaky, which is precisely what you want it to be. Also, before reheating the salmon in the oven, remember to cover it with aluminium foil.

How do you make leftover salmon moist? ›

Remove the leftover salmon from the refrigerator and place it in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a damp paper towel to help keep the salmon moist and prevent it from drying out. Microwave the salmon on high for 1-2 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave and the thickness of the salmon.

How do you reheat salmon without drying it out? ›

Instead, it's best to reheat it slowly, at a low temperature. Put the fish on a rimmed baking sheet and warm it a 275°F oven for about 15 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F. Follow this tip: Go low and slow when reheating your leftover salmon fillet to ensure that it won't dry out.

Why is my salmon rubbery? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

Can you reheat salmon and eat it? ›

It is best to avoid reheating Salmon and finish your meal at once with all leftovers. But if you still have some excess food, then preserve it quickly. Reheating food multiple times increases the risk of bacteria growth and food poisoning. You can only reheat the amount of food you plan to eat and do it only once.

What is the best way to reheat cooked salmon? ›

Dry, overcooked salmon is far from pleasant. Instead, it's best to reheat it slowly, at a low temperature. Put the fish on a rimmed baking sheet and warm it a 275°F oven for about 15 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125°F to 130°F.

Can you keep leftover cooked salmon? ›

Cooked salmon can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. Make sure to allow the cooked salmon to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

Is it safe to reheat cooked salmon? ›

The key is to reheat your cold leftover salmon at a low temperature. Slowly reheat it to keep it moist and flaky, which is precisely what you want it to be. Also, before reheating the salmon in the oven, remember to cover it with aluminium foil.

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