What Sauces Go With Salmon & Rice? Tasty Pairings!

Serving up salmon and rice for dinner tonight, and need some ideas for sauce pairings? 

You’re in the right place! 

From elegant and indulgent lemon butter, to light and herby chimichurri, there’s something here that you’ll love! 

What Sauces Go With Salmon & Rice?

Some of the best sauces for salmon and rice are: 

• Lemon butter 
• Honey mustard
• Chimichurri 
• Dill
• Horseradish
• Bearnaise 
• Teriyaki
• Miso glaze

Read on for the best recipes and preparation tips… 

Basic Sauces for Salmon and Rice

In this section, we’ll guide you through three basic sauces that pair exceptionally well with salmon and rice: Lemon Butter Sauce, Honey Mustard Sauce, and Chimichurri Sauce.

Each of these sauces brings a unique flavour profile to the dish, so let’s explore them further.

Lemon Butter Sauce

A classic choice for salmon, lemon butter sauce adds a zesty and rich taste that complements both the salmon and rice.

To create this sauce, you’ll need:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 100g unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add the lemon juice, stirring until well combined.

Add the chopped parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Drizzle this luxurious sauce over your cooked salmon fillets and rice for a delightful burst of flavour.

Honey Mustard Sauce

For a sweet and tangy twist, try adding a honey mustard sauce to your salmon and rice.

This sauce adds depth to the dish with its contrasting flavours.

To make this sauce, you’ll need:

• 3 tbsp honey
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine the honey, mustards, and olive oil in a bowl, and mix until smooth.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Drizzle this vibrant sauce over your salmon and rice, and enjoy the delightful balance of sweet and tangy notes.

Chimichurri Sauce

An Argentinean classic, chimichurri sauce brings a fresh and herbaceous touch to your salmon and rice dish.

With its bold flavours, this sauce is perfect for cutting through the richness of salmon.

To make this sauce, you’ll need:

• 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

In a bowl, combine the parsley, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Spoon this vibrant, zesty sauce over your cooked salmon and rice for a refreshing and flavourful twist.

Creamy and Tangy Sauces

In this section, we’ll explore three creamy and tangy sauces that perfectly complement salmon and rice dishes: Dill Sauce, Horseradish Sauce, and Béarnaise Sauce.

Get ready to impress your dinner guests with these delightful additions to your salmon recipe repertoire.

Dill Sauce

Dill sauce is a classic pairing for salmon dishes.

To make this sauce, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1/4 cup of mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl, and mix thoroughly.

Adjust the seasoning as needed, then refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving.

The tangy flavours of the sour cream and lemon juice contrast beautifully with the rich taste of the salmon, while the dill adds a fresh, herby touch that elevates the overall dish.

(If you love saucy salmon dishes, you’ll also enjoy what to serve with Tuscan salmon for more inspiration!) 

Horseradish Sauce

Add a zesty kick to your salmon and rice with horseradish sauce.

To whip up this punchy condiment, gather the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 2 tablespoons of prepared horseradish
• 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh chives
• Salt and pepper to taste

Start by combining all the ingredients in a bowl, then mix well. Give it a taste, and adjust the seasoning as desired.

The sharp, peppery flavour of the horseradish cuts through the richness of the salmon, providing a lovely contrast that will make your taste buds sing.

Béarnaise Sauce

To add some elegant French flair to your salmon and rice, consider making a Béarnaise sauce. This classic creamy sauce has a delicate blend of flavours that pair well with fish.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup of white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup of dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons of finely chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh tarragon
• 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup of butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste

First, prepare the reduction by combining the vinegar, white wine, shallots, tarragon, and peppercorns in a small saucepan. Simmer until reduced by half. Strain, then set aside to cool.

Next, whisk the egg yolks and cooled reduction together in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water).

Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened and can coat the back of a spoon, then remove from heat.

Slowly whisk in the melted butter, incorporating it little by little, then season with salt and pepper.

Sweet and Savoury Options

When it comes to pairing sauces with salmon and rice, there are plenty of sweet and savoury options to choose from.

In this section, we’ll go over three popular choices: Teriyaki Sauce, Miso Glaze, and Hollandaise Sauce. 

Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki sauce is a classic Japanese sauce that beautifully combines sweet and savoury flavours.

Made with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, this sticky, glossy sauce coats your grilled salmon perfectly and complements the fluffy white rice.

To make your own, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Drizzle the teriyaki sauce on your salmon and rice dish to add a zesty kick that tantalises your taste buds.

(If you love rice dishes, be sure to also check out what to serve with rice salad!) 

Miso Glaze

Miso Glaze is another Asian-inspired option to add depth and umami to your salmon and rice.

This salty, slightly sweet glaze is made from miso paste, mirin, and soy sauce, providing a unique and bold flavour contrast. 

You’ll need:

• 2 tbsp white miso paste
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar

1. In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients together.
2. Brush the glaze onto your salmon during grilling for a rich, savoury boost.

Pair your miso-glazed salmon with steamed rice for a flavourful and satisfying meal.

Hollandaise Sauce

For a more luxurious and indulgent option, try making hollandaise sauce to accompany your grilled salmon and rice.

This rich, creamy sauce is made with egg yolks and melted butter, imparting a velvety texture and buttery flavour that works perfectly with salmon. 

You’ll need:

• 3 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Whisk egg yolks and lemon juice together in a heatproof bowl.
2. Place the bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl.
3. Slowly drizzle in melted butter while continuously whisking until the sauce thickens.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

Spoon the luscious sauce onto your salmon and rice for a truly decadent dining experience.