11 Amazing Dietitian-Approved Salmon Recipes for Diabetes
Are you looking to add more seafood to your diet, but you aren’t sure where to start? Consider these dietitian-approved salmon recipes for diabetes.
This fatty fish is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and an excellent source of protein. Plus the health benefits of salmon are perfect for blood sugar management.
Give salmon a try with these delicious diabetic salmon recipes the whole family will enjoy. They are easy, tasty, and packed full of nutrition.
Is salmon good for diabetes?
Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, the “healthy” fats that can help reduce your risk of common diabetes-related complications like heart disease and inflammation. Regular consumption of fatty fish has also been shown to reduce post-meal blood sugar, helping manage type 2 diabetes.
Lean protein, like fish, can help keep you full and satisfied without raising your blood sugar. One 3 ounce serving of salmon contains 121 calories, 17 grams of protein, 5 grams of heart healthy fats, and 0 grams of carbs (unless you add breading)!
The American Diabetes Association recommends eating fatty fish, like salmon, twice per week for people with diabetes.
When it comes to the best preparation methods, aim to bake, broil, roast, or grill, since breaded and fried fish pack extra carbs and calories. Try pairing salmon with roasted veggies or leafy greens and a fiber-rich carbohydrate source such as lentils for a well-balanced meal.
11 Dietitian-Approved Salmon Recipes for Diabetes
If you’re tired of the same slate of chicken and pasta dinners, consider adding salmon to your weekly meal rotation. In addition to its rich flavor and versatility, salmon is essentially the superfood of the sea and one of the most nutritious foods you can eat.
Whether you have fresh, frozen or canned salmon on had, here are 11 easy diabetic salmon recipes to add to your dinner menu. And all are, as always, dietitian-approved!
Maple Mustard Salmon with Roasted Broccoli | Chef Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, FAND of The Healthy Epicurean
This recipe will be a new family favorite! With just four ingredients, this perfectly seasoned, melt-in-your-mouth recipe for maple mustard salmon with roasted broccoli comes together in just under 30 minutes for a perfect weeknight dinner.
With 33 grams of protein and only 23 grams of carbohydrates per serving, this diabetes-friendly salmon dish can fit in with any meal plan.
Calories: 354 Carbs: 23g Protein: 33g Fat: 21g Fiber: 4g
Simple Salmon Salad | Cara Harbstreet, MS RD LD of Street Smart Nutrition
If you’ve ever made tuna salad or chicken salad from scratch, you’ll be a pro at making this salmon salad. It’s a delicious way to get a serving of seafood and add protein to wraps, salads, and snack plates. While many tuna or chicken salad recipes use high fat ingredients like mayonnaise, this recipe calls for plain yogurt to cut down the fat and calories.
Easy Baked Salmon | Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN
This Easy Baked Salmon is so simple to make, ready in a matter of minutes, and readily accepted by kids and adults! With a low-carb panko coating, this salmon can have as little as 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving. It’s high in protein and fat to keep you full and pairs perfectly with roasted vegetables and your choice of carbs for a quick and easy dinner.
Calories: 319 Carbs: 3g Protein: 34g Fat: 18g Fiber: 0g
Best Mediterranean Salmon | Haute & Healthy Living
Bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors, this pan-fried salmon recipe is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, but fancy enough to serve up for those special occasions. One serving has only 4 grams of carbohydrates and is well-balanced with protein, fat, and fiber to keep you full and slow the digestion of carbohydrates.
Enjoy as is or pair with some rice and a simple salad for a well balanced meal.
Calories: 252 Carbs: 4g Protein: 25g Fat:15 g Fiber: 4g
Zucchini Salmon Fritters | Bucket List Tummy
These salmon patties can be made in less than 20 minutes and have the unique addition of zucchini noodles! Zucchini is a low-carb, non starchy vegetable perfect for people with diabetes. Just mix your spiralized zucchini with eggs, canned salmon and some spices.
Each patty has only 12 grams of carbohydrates making them easy to fit into a low-carb meal plan. Serve with a low carb bun and some veggie fries.
Calories: 225 Carbs: 12g Protein: 15g Fat: 13g Fiber: 1g
Superior Salmon with Peach Salsa | Sound Bites Nutrition
When you want an easy, diabetes friendly salmon recipe, fire up the grill and make this salmon with peach salsa. The mandarin orange marinade adds refreshing flavor, a dose of vitamin C and helps tenderize this lean protein. Adding a low carb vegetable, like red bell pepper, to the peach salsa topping helps cut down the sugar while amplifying the flavor.
Serve with a low carb side of asparagus or roasted vegetables for extra fiber to help slow the digestion of carbs from the fruit salsa.
Easy Baked Salmon Cakes | Christina Laboni
These healthy salmon cakes are a delicious way to boost your intake of omega-3s and use up a can of (or leftover!) salmon. Substitute the breadcrumbs for quick oats or panko and serve over cauliflower rice or a leafy green salad for fewer carbohydrates.
Keto Salmon Sushi Bowl | Summer Yule, MS, RDN
Get the flavors of your favorite sushi roll with this easy keto salmon sushi bowl. They taste just like the real thing, but use a non-calorie sweetener, like monk fruit, and riced cauliflower instead of added sugar to maintain the texture with less sugar, more fiber and only 2 net carbs per serving!
Since people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, it’s important to look for words like “reduced sodium” or “lower sodium” when choosing a soy sauce. You can easily make these low sodium by using fresh salmon instead of smoked and liquid aminos instead of soy sauce.
Calories: 284 Carbs: 11g Protein: 19g Fat: 13g Fiber: 9g
Frozen Salmon in Air Fryer | Kristi Ruth RD/RDN, CNSC, LDN of Carrots & Cookies
This easy Frozen Salmon is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or when you need a quick, low-carb meal. Just toss coat the frozen salmon in pesto, toss into the air fryer (this is my favorite air fryer) and let it work its magic! No defrosting required.
With only 4 grams of carbs per serving, it’s perfect for serving with a side of rice and asparagus, a diabetes-friendly salad, or a delicious low carb pasta!
Calories: 341 Carbs: 4g Protein: 25g Fat: 24g Fiber: 1g
Easy Furikake Salmon | Cara Harbstreet, MS RD LD of Street Smart Nutrition
This umami-packed salmon recipe features furikake, a Japanese rice seasoning that adds incredible flavor and makes it such a tasty way to enjoy the health benefits of salmon. Keep in mind, furikake can contain a fair amount of sugar so always check the label and include that in your total carb intake.
Salmon Pesto Pasta | Kelsey P. RD
This salmon pesto pasta is fast, fresh, light and uses a secret ingredient that increases its protein content… Greek yogurt! Yogurt replaces heavy cream to give it less saturated fat and calories than your typical creamy pasta dish, but with just as much flavor.
Calories: 317 Carbs: 24g Protein: 37g Fat: 11g Fiber: 1g
The bottom line:
Salmon is an excellent source of protein for people with diabetes. If you’re looking for a delicious way to hit the recommended two servings of fish per week, these diabetes-friendly salmon recipes are easy to prepare and loaded with nutrients.
The protein, fiber, and healthy fats in each recipe will keep you full and satisfied without spiking your blood sugars.
Looking for more blood-sugar friendly recipes to try? Consider these:
The Best Insulin Resistance Recipes for Blood Sugar Balance