FridgeToTable

What to Make With Salmon and Potatoes: 3 Fast Weeknight Dinners

Salmon and potatoes can share a sheet pan if the potatoes are cut small and start alone. The fish is done when it flakes, and the potatoes are not. These three respect that: a sheet pan with a head start, a skillet of smashed potatoes with salmon on top, and a chowder that uses a small piece of salmon so it doesn't turn to cotton. Got more in the fridge? Snap a photo and we'll pick dinner for you. Free.

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Quick picks: 3 dinners with salmon and potatoes in 30 minutes or less

Fastest option: a 20-minute dinner

20 min

Salmon potato chowder

Total time, start to plate · One pot · serves 4 · Kid-friendly

Small potato cubes simmer until soft, then salmon is added for only a few minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb salmon
  • 2 potatoes
  • 1 onion
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tsp salt

Steps

  1. Soften the onion. Add diced potatoes, water, and salt. Simmer until the potatoes break.
  2. Mash a few pieces so the pot looks creamy.
  3. Add the milk and the salmon in chunks. Simmer 3 minutes, until the salmon turns opaque.
  4. Don't boil it hard after the salmon goes in. Taste. Potato chowder hides salt.

Keeps: Fridge for 1 day. The salmon will be more delicate tomorrow, not ruined.

One-pan or sheet-pan option

30 min

Sheet-pan salmon and potatoes

Total time, start to plate · One sheet pan · serves 4 · Kid-friendly

Potato wedges roast first. Salmon joins them near the end so it doesn't dry out.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb potatoes
  • 1 lb salmon
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 lemon

Steps

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F. Toss potato wedges with oil and most of the salt. Roast 15 minutes.
  2. Push the potatoes aside and add the salmon. Salt it.
  3. Roast until the salmon flakes, about 10 minutes. The potatoes should be tender by then.
  4. Add lemon. If the potatoes are still firm, take the salmon off and give the pan a few more minutes.

Keeps: Potatoes keep 3 days. Eat the salmon tonight.

The other dinner

28 min

Smashed potatoes and salmon

Total time, start to plate · One skillet · serves 4 · Kid-friendly

Small potatoes fry and smash, then a salmon fillet cooks in the same skillet.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb small potatoes
  • 1 lb salmon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp oil

Steps

  1. Halve the potatoes, salt them, and fry cut side down until brown. Smash them gently.
  2. Push them to the edges. Lay the salmon in the middle, skin side down if it has skin.
  3. Cook until the salmon flakes. The potatoes stay warm at the edges.
  4. Squeeze lemon over both. Taste a potato. It often needs another pinch of salt.

Keeps: Potatoes keep 3 days. Salmon is best the first night.

Make it with leftovers

Cooked salmon flakes into the chowder at the end. Don't boil it. Leftover roasted potatoes smash into the skillet. Raw potatoes need the sheet pan's head start. Leftover salmon should not go through a full roast.

More dinners from leftovers

Pantry staples you'll need

  • Oil
  • Salt
  • Lemon
  • Dill or parsley
  • Onion
  • Milk or water

No potatoes: serve the salmon on rice. No salmon: the potato sheet pan still works with sausage. See sausage and potatoes.

When there is nothing in the fridge

Picky-eater and healthy tweaks

Plain potato and a plain piece of salmon, lemon served on the adult plates. The chowder is softer if a child doesn't want a fillet to face. Check for bones either way.

Leave the potato skin on. Skip a heavy cream chowder. Milk or even water, with the salmon doing the flavor, is enough for a weeknight.

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Related dinners

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Questions

What can I make with salmon and potatoes in 20 minutes?

Salmon potato chowder takes 20 minutes, start to plate. Small potato cubes simmer until soft, then salmon is added for only a few minutes.

What's the easiest dinner with salmon and potatoes?

Smashed potatoes and salmon is the low-fuss one: one skillet, 28 minutes. Small potatoes fry and smash, then a salmon fillet cooks in the same skillet.

Can I make this with leftover or cooked salmon?

Cooked salmon flakes into the chowder at the end. Don't boil it. Leftover roasted potatoes smash into the skillet. Raw potatoes need the sheet pan's head start. Leftover salmon should not go through a full roast.

What else can I add to salmon and potatoes for a full meal?

The cards already use small potatoes, salmon, salt. A piece of fruit or a handful of frozen vegetables is enough if you want more on the plate. Don't make a second shopping trip.

Is salmon and potatoes a healthy dinner?

Leave the potato skin on. Skip a heavy cream chowder. Milk or even water, with the salmon doing the flavor, is enough for a weeknight.

How do I make salmon and potatoes kid-friendly?

Plain potato and a plain piece of salmon, lemon served on the adult plates. The chowder is softer if a child doesn't want a fillet to face. Check for bones either way.

Can I make salmon and potatoes in one pan or a sheet pan?

Sheet-pan salmon and potatoes uses one sheet pan and takes 30 minutes. Potato wedges roast first. Salmon joins them near the end so it doesn't dry out.

What if I don't have potatoes?

No potatoes: serve the salmon on rice. No salmon: the potato sheet pan still works with sausage. See sausage and potatoes.