Salmon Salad
A fresh, nutritious, and easy-to-make salmon salad combining tender salmon fillets with crisp salad greens, juicy vegetables, and a zesty lemon herb dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch, light dinner, or impressive healthy meal that can be customized to your taste.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Pan-searing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- Fresh Salmon Fillets (about 6 oz per serving)
- Mixed Salad Greens (spinach, arugula, romaine, about 2 cups)
- Cherry Tomatoes (1 cup, halved)
- Cucumber Slices (1/2 medium cucumber, thinly sliced)
- Red Onion (1/4 small, thinly sliced)
- Avocado (1 ripe, diced or sliced)
Dressing
- Fresh Lemon Juice (2 tablespoons)
- Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)
- Fresh Dill or Herbs (1 tablespoon, finely chopped)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
Optional Variations and Add-Ons
- Cayenne Pepper or Sliced Jalapeños (for spicy kick)
- Sesame Oil, Shredded Carrots, Edamame, Soy Sauce (for Asian-inspired version)
- Toasted Nuts like Almonds or Walnuts (for crunch)
- Crumbled Feta or Goat Cheese (for creamy tang)
- Quinoa, Farro, or Brown Rice (to serve as a grain bowl)
- Cook the Salmon: Season fresh salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and a bit of olive oil. Pan-sear over medium heat for about 4 minutes per side until cooked through but still tender. Let the salmon cool slightly before flaking it into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare Fresh Vegetables: While the salmon cooks, wash and dry your salad greens thoroughly. Slice cherry tomatoes in halves, cucumber into thin rounds, and red onion into thin strips. Dice the avocado just before assembling to prevent browning.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, finely chopped dill (or your choice of herbs), salt, and pepper. This simple dressing will brighten and unify all flavors in your salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine your greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Add the flaked salmon on top, drizzle with the lemon-herb dressing, and gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by adding avocado slices or any additional toppings you love. Serve immediately for the freshest taste and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh salmon for the best flavor and texture.
- Avoid overcooking salmon to keep it moist and tender.
- Dry salad greens well to prevent a soggy salad.
- Add dressing only just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Consider serving the salmon warm over chilled salad for a different experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad (about 1/2 recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: salmon salad, healthy salad, quick meal, omega-3 rich, light dinner, fresh vegetables, nutritious, easy recipe