28 Salmon Recipes for People with Diabetes
Updated: Jul. 26, 2024
Salmon is an excellent protein source for people with diabetes. Here are ideas for how to make it tonight.
Salmon is a powerhouse for diabetes-friendly meal planning. This healthy fish is one of the best food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which is a good fat not readily found in many other common foods. What makes this “good fat” so special? Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, which research shows can help prevent and control diabetes.
Another reason to dig into salmon recipes: Your body may absorb salmon’s healthy fats better than it would from other sources, such as supplements. Salmon has the benefit of being packed with nutrients such as iodine that help optimize digestion of omega-3s, according to research.
Salmon is also an excellent source of protein, which doesn’t raise blood sugar. Eating protein-rich foods alongside carbohydrate-containing foods like grains or starchy vegetables can help steady blood sugar. It can also leave you feeling more satisfied for longer since it takes a longer time to digest carbs and protein than just carbs alone.
Last but not least, serving up salmon or other seafood has been linked with more stable blood sugar after eating. How so? By reducing insulin resistance, a common problem for those with type 2 diabetes.
Air-Fryer Salmon
Air-fryer salmon yields a perfectly flaky fish fillet with a slightly crispy skin. Play around with the seasonings until you find your favorite combinations.
Easy Grilled Salmon Salad
Try this grilled salmon salad with your favorite herb vinaigrette. Add berries during the summer months when they are in season or citrus when berries aren’t available. —Susan Bronson, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Salmon Tacos
You can have a restaurant-style dinner in less than 30 minutes with these easy salmon tacos. In addition to the zesty coleslaw, add your favorite toppings like sliced avocado, radishes or jalapeno peppers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grilled Salmon Fillets
The grill is a perfect cooking method for salmon. The smokiness is a subtle way to amp up salmon’s mild flavor, and the high heat creates a delicious charred finish. —Lindsay Mattison, Hillsboro, Oregon
Sheet-Pan Soy-Ginger Salmon with Veggies
This salmon and veggie sheet-pan dinner is packed with umami Asian flavors and is so easy to make. It's high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and so many other nutrients, but it's delicious! We like to serve it over brown rice or quinoa. —Pamela Gelsomini, Wrentham, Massachusetts
Balsamic-Salmon Spinach Salad
This salmon spinach salad is really healthy and super fast. It's an absolute cinch to make after a long workday. —Karen Schlyter, Calgary, Alberta
Walnut and Oat-Crusted Salmon
I think this recipe gives you the most omega-3 fatty acid bang for your buck! —Cristen Dutcher, Marietta, Georgia
Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce
Add salmon, know for its omega-3 fatty acids, to your dinner rotation. This tender poached salmon gets extra flavor from a creamy classic dill sauce. —Patti Sherman, Schenectady, New York
Salmon with Tomato-Goat Cheese Couscous
Rich with goat cheese and tomato, this recipe works for a weeknight supper or an elegant company dinner—and can be easily adjusted to serve more people. —Toni Roberts, La Canada, California
Rosemary Salmon and Veggies
My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Pressure-Cooker Salmon
I love this recipe because it’s healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection and is ready in hardly any time! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
Asian Salmon Tacos
This Asian/Mexican fusion dish is ready in minutes—perfect when time is tight! If the salmon begins to stick, add 2-3 tablespoons of water and continue cooking. —Marisa Raponi, Vaughan, Ontario
Orange Pomegranate Salmon
A colorful, festive salmon dish makes an impressive addition to your holiday table—and it is as delicious as it is beautiful. What will no one guess? How easy it is to cook. I serve this with roasted baby potatoes and asparagus for a showstopping meal that is wonderful for special occasions. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Herb Salmon
A healthy and delicious dinner truly ready in less than 30 minutes? Herb salmon should be your go to meal for any busy weeknight, but it is elegant enough for guests. An herb and garlic olive oil drizzled over the top before roasting adds savory flavor.
Pan-Seared Salmon
Pan-seared salmon is an elegant, wholesome entree that requires little time or effort. Add a side salad or simple green, and dinner is served.
Honey Smoked Salmon
Bust out the hickory wood chips, fire up the grill and make this honey smoked salmon with crushed peppercorns.
Lemon-Dijon Grilled Salmon Foil Packet
My family enjoys this healthy salmon recipe very much, which makes it a winner in my book. The capers really give it a burst of flavor. And since the salmon are grilled in foil, there's almost no cleanup! —Bonnie McGuire, Sunnyvale, California
Cedar Plank Salmon with Blackberry Sauce
Here's my go-to entree for a warm-weather cookout. The salmon has a rich, grilled taste that's enhanced by the savory blackberry sauce. It's a nice balance of sweet, smoky and spicy. —Stephanie Matthews, Tempe, AZ
Grilled Salmon in Foil
Steamed in its own juices, this grilled salmon in foil is incredibly tender. Curry adds a punch of flavor that's perfectly balanced by onion and tomato. —Merideth Berkovich, The Dalles, Oregon
Pecan Orange Salmon
This baked pecan orange salmon is definitely a favorite to prepare and share, because you can adjust it to suit anyone by dialing up or down the mustard and honey. —Kari Caven, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Salmon Salad
Our lovely salmon salad is a wholesome and quick meal that doesn’t hold back on flavor.
Cilantro-Topped Salmon
This cilantro lime salmon has been a favorite with everyone who's tried it. A bright and fresh cilantro-lime sauce complements tender salmon fillets in this entree. —Nancy Culbert, Whitehorn, California
Flavorful Salmon Fillets
Compliments are a sure thing when I fix these fabulous salmon fillets. A tasty marinade pumps up the flavor and keeps them moist and tender. —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon
Sensational Spiced Salmon
A bold rub gives this quick seafood entree fantastic flavor. Paired with a green veggie and rice, my spicy salmon is a delightful weeknight dinner that’s special enough for company. —Michele Doucette, Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Maple-Balsamic Salmon
I have a few good recipes for family-favorite, heart-healthy salmon, but this one is always a hit. I serve it this way at least once a week and sometimes more! —David Krisko of Becker, Minnesota
Grilled Salmon Fillet
Growing up on a family-owned resort, I was expected to help around the kitchen. This grilled salmon fillet recipe became my specialty. —Paul Noetzel, Grafton, Wisconsin
Baked Salmon
From finding the right fish fillet to prepping, storing and serving salmon, this guide will have you on your way to perfectly baked salmon.FAQs
Is salmon good for people with diabetes?
Yes, salmon is an excellent protein choice for people with diabetes thanks to its ability to help stabilize blood sugar and reduce diabetes-related inflammation. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon protect against cardiovascular disease, so eating this food can mean a doubled-up type of protection for your health.
What is the best kind of salmon for people with diabetes?
The best salmon is any type of salmon that you enjoy and can afford to eat regularly. The idea that wild-caught salmon is better than farmed salmon is not necessarily true. That’s because nutrient levels in salmon vary depending on the diet the fish eat and this can change from farm to farm and year to year. Both types of fish are excellent sources of nutrients.
How you prepare salmon is important, too: choose grilled, baked and poached recipes to avoid including additional “bad” fat, which usually comes from deep-frying.
How much salmon should a person with diabetes eat?
Eating two 3-ounce servings per week of fatty fish, such as salmon, is recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.
Originally Published: December 31, 1969
