This cold Salmon Salad is fresh, protein packed, and exactly what I want for lunch. Tender baked fresh salmon that’s flaked, then tossed in a creamy, herby Greek yogurt dressing, it strikes the ideal balance between casual and fancy.
I always feel better about the week ahead when I’ve taken time to make myself a batch of Italian Tuna Salad or Chickpea Tuna Salad and stash it in the fridge.
Creamy, protein-rich salads (this Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad is another favorite) are healthy, keep me full, and make lunch something to look forward to, instead of a weekday drag.
After cooking a particularly large batch of Baked Salmon in Foil, I found myself with a hefty amount of leftover salmon and craving something new for lunch.
Enter, Salmon Salad!
This recipe takes the principle of tuna salad and Chicken Pasta Salad—lean protein meets creamy dressing meets all kinds of yummy, crunchy bits to liven things up—but swaps in flaked salmon, instead of tuna or chicken.
With as often as we eat fresh salmon fillets as a main (sometimes twice a week as this list of easy salmon recipes can attest) and use canned salmon to make the Salmon Quinoa Cakes in my cookbook, I don’t know why it took me this long to make a creamy salad with salmon. I’m here for it now!
How to Make Salmon Salad
This salmon salad draws inspiration from a combo of classic Waldorf salad ingredients such as dill and nuts, with a touch of Mediterranean flair.
It’s creamy, crunchy, filling, and fresh.
You’ll love having it in your refrigerator too!
The Ingredients
- Salmon. A fantastic source of protein, high in essential Omega-3s which help your heart and brain, and superbly scrumptious, salmon is a great “gateway” fish. For the best results and max health benefits, look for wild caught.
- Greek Yogurt. This healthy salmon salad contains NO MAYONNAISE. Greek yogurt gives the same creaminess but is low in calorie and high in protein.
- Red Onion. For the right amount of bite and balance.
- Cucumber. For freshness and the crunch factor. I like English or mini cucumbers because you don’t need to peel them.
- Lemon. Its citrusy brightness helps the dressing sing.
- Cumin + Oregano. A surprising but sublime combo that makes the dressing a stand out.
- Dill + Cilantro. Fresh herbs are the move. They make the salad taste exciting and fresh. For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Feta Cheese. The creamy bits are a lovely contrast with the crunch of the cucumbers.
- Sliced Almonds. Nuttiness and crunch give the salad an additional layer of flavor, texture, and satisfaction.
- Currents or Raisins. My nod to the grapes in traditional Waldorf salad. They add a pleasant sweetness and yummy chewiness.
The Directions
- Bake the salmon fillet in the oven.
- Flake it into a large bowl.
- Add the remaining salad ingredients to the bowl with the salmon.
- Stir together the dressing.
- Pour it over the salad.
- Stir gently to combine. Taste for seasoning and ENJOY!
How to Serve Salmon Salad
- As a Sandwich. Pile this salad onto your favorite bread and enjoy a scrumptious salmon salad sandwich. (Salmon salad with avocado on bread would be especially tasty!)
- In Lettuce Wraps. Keep things light and healthy by serving this salad inside lettuce cups, use a lettuce leaf like romaine lettuce or bibb lettuce leaves.
- Over Greens. For a more traditional salad, pile this recipe on top of a bed of greens.
- With Crackers. Give snack time a major upgrade by serving this salmon salad with crackers (these Ranch Crackers are divine).
- With Grains. For a more filling meal, I love serving this salad over a bed of couscous or quinoa. (This Moroccan Couscous would be delish! Or, try this Quinoa Chickpea Salad)
How to Store Salmon Salad
- To Store. Refrigerate salad in an airtight storage container. Salmon salad will last 3 days in the fridge.
Meal Prep Tip
Toast the almonds up to 1 day in advance and store them at room temperature. Mix the dressing ingredients together up to 1 day in advance, and store the mixture in the refrigerator.
What Goes Well With Salmon Salad
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Baking Dish. An essential kitchen tool. Pretty enough for serving.
- Parchment Paper. I love these precut sheets for convenience and easy clean up.
- Mixing Bowls. Easy to clean and you can always find the size you need.
Parchment Paper Sheets
No more fighting parchment paper that rolls back up on you! These precut sheets make it a breeze to line baking pans, cookie sheets, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Place the salad on your favorite whole wheat bread (toast it first if you like). Bulk up the veggies with the addition of grape tomatoes, celery, capers, kalamata olives or lettuce. The possibilities are endless!
I highly recommend the one listed in this recipe. You could also try a Dijon vinaigrette. You’ll whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, and lemon. Pour over salad.
Salmon can be swapped for another firm, flaky fish, such as halibut or trout. If fish isn’t your thing, might I suggest Shrimp Pasta salad, Avocado Egg Salad, or Mediterranean Chickpea Salad. All equally delicious!
This salmon salad is bright, special, and will make you look forward to lunch any day that it graces your refrigerator.
Salmon Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound center-cut, skin-on side of salmon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin divided
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano divided
- 1/2 small red onion finely chopped
- 1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- Zest of 2 mediums lemon about 2 teaspoons
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove minced or grated garlic
- 2 mini cucumbers or 1/2 English cucumber, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup currents raisins, or golden raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking dish large enough to hold the salmon with a sheet of parchment paper.
- Place the salmon in the pan and with paper towels, pat dry. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon oregano. Rub to evenly coat the salmon. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, until the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F on an instant read thermometer (I typically remove the salmon a few degrees early and let the carryover cooking finish the rest). The salmon should no longer be raw-looking in the center and flake easily with a fork. Let cool to room temperature.
- While the salmon roasts, place the red onion in a bowl and cover with cold water. Set aside to soak (this removes some of the onion’s harsh bite without losing its flavor).
- Prepare the dressing: In a small mixing bowl, stir together the yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon oregano.
- Flake the salmon in chunky pieces into a large serving bowl (discard the skin).
- Add the cucumber, feta, currants, dill, and cilantro.
- Drain the red onion, then add it to the bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the top.
- Gently stir to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired (I add an extra pinch of each). Serve chilled or at room temperature as a wrap (or lettuce wrap), sandwich, on toast, over greens, or mixed with couscous.
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate salad in an airtight storage container. Three days is how long salmon salad will last in the fridge.
Nutrition
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Salmon is a versatile, healthy protein. Here are some of my favorite healthy salmon recipes:
Fantastic recipe! Definitely a keeper.
Hi Anne! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
absolutely delicious. about to make it a second time. I like salmon, but I was getting tired of baking it. The mix of flavors and textures of this salad make it interesting to eat, plus its high protein, low in fat, healthy, and portable– easily taken to work. yummmy
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Ann! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This was delicious! I only had a pound of salmon, so I added a can of chickpeas and it was so good. Ate it with some almond flour crackers and my husband did lettuce wraps. Definitely a winner!
Hi Jess! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!