Our 5 Best Salmon Recipes (Ranked from Easy to Hard)

Whether you’re a small fry or a culinary captain, anyone can make these fresh salmon recipes at home.

Versatility is salmon’s greatest strength. You can toss it in the oven, throw it on the grill or even eat it raw (just make sure it’s sushi grade!). So if you’ve literally got a big fish to fry, we got you hook, line and sinker. These five salmon dishes from the WL Recipe Finder have been thoughtfully arranged in order of difficulty, so you can find the perfect recipe for your skill level. Work up your cooking confidence and try them all in order, or be a rebel and skip straight to the end.

1. Sheet-Roasted Salmon, Asparagus and Tomatoes

Difficulty: ★Does thinking about cooking fish make you seasick? Fear not, aquatic amateur: it doesn’t get much simpler than this. Dressed in nothing but olive oil, salt and pepper, this flaky fish is achievable for everyone; all you need is ten minutes and an oven set to a balmy 425˚F. Leftovers can be served with grains like quinoa or farro.

2. Wild Salmon Bake with Sauce Vierge

Difficulty: ★★This recipe takes a little more time and might require a trip to the grocery store (we’re looking at you, chopped fresh tarragon), but Chef Ned Bell still saves you some prep time with a marinated sauce vierge. Want to step it up even further? Try barbecuing for a smoky finish.

3. Pan-Seared Wild Pacific Salmon with Cucumber Salad and Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette

Difficulty: ★★★The artful presentation of this wild fish will definitely make it the star of any dinner party—and it’s actually easier than it looks. A bit of mixing, puréeing, and a quick sear is all you need before tossing the salmon in the oven for four hot minutes. but timing is key for the proper execution of this masterpiece: the salad must be dressed right before serving to avoid the salt bleeding moisture from the cucumber.

4. Maple Sriracha Grilled Salmon with Grilled Peach Salad

Difficulty: ★★★★Like the last recipe, maple is a highlight in this fresh and spicy salmon dish. This recipe requires quite a bit of multitasking: you’ll have to marinate the salmon, grill the peaches and dice the veggies all at once. Be the captain of this sweet, smoky and nutty vessel all on your own, or maybe grab a first mate to lend a helping hand.

5. Salmon Nori Tacos

Difficulty: ★★★★★Don’t let their adorable presentation fool you—Chef Felix Zhou‘s poke tacos are not for the faint of heart. Up for the challenge? This recipe involves deep-frying delicate seaweed sheets in tempura batter, a task even the chef himself says requires quite a bit of patience. Don’t forget to toast the sesame seeds and find that perfectly ripe avocado—these tiny tacos are all about the details.

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