When I figure out how to make my favorite meal at home, it’s always so exciting. I love getting ideas from restaurants. The Daily, one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond, used to serve a salmon salad that I could not get enough of. This recipe is my attempt to make it again!
Salmon is a versatile fish that can be prepared in endless ways. From poaching to grilling to baking salmon fillets, there are so many options for cooking up this omega-3 rich protein But with so many possibilities for the main course, what salad should you serve alongside your beautiful salmon dinner?
The good news is that the mild flavor and fattiness of salmon pairs well with a wide variety of salad recipes Cool, crunchy greens provide texture contrast and help cut through the richness of the fish And bold, acidic dressings stand up to salmon without overpowering it.
Here are 10 fresh salad ideas to serve with salmon fillets for a well-balanced meal
1. Kale Quinoa Salad
A protein-packed kale and quinoa salad makes the perfect partner for a simple broiled or baked salmon fillet. The quinoa adds plenty of plant-based protein, fiber and nutrients like magnesium and iron. And the kale provides vitamin K, vitamin C, calcium and more.
For this healthy salad, just follow the directions on the package and cook the quinoa in a mixture of tomato and vegetable juices to make it taste even better. Then rub the kale with olive oil and lemon juice to make it soft. Add toasted pine nuts, dried currants, red onion, and a lemony vinaigrette to the quinoa and kale after mixing them together. The combination of flavors and textures is fantastic with salmon.
2. Grilled Vegetable Salad
Warm grilled veggies are amazing in the summer months, so take advantage of zucchini, summer squash, bell peppers and other fresh produce. Slice them up, brush with olive oil and grill until tender.
Break up the vegetables into small pieces and mix them with feta cheese, romaine lettuce leaves that have been torn, and a red wine vinaigrette. You can even make it a heartier main dish salad by adding grilled salmon that you have left over. The smoky grilled flavors pair perfectly with simply seasoned grilled salmon.
3. Fennel Citrus Salad
Fennel has a light anise-like flavor that pairs deliciously with citrus and salmon. For this fresh salad, thinly slice fennel bulbs and toss with orange or grapefruit segments, slivered red onion, arugula and a citrus vinaigrette made with orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil and Dijon.
The crisp texture of the fennel with the sweet juicy citrus segments provides a refreshing counterpoint to rich salmon fillets. It’s an elegant yet easy salad for company or a weeknight dinner.
4. Watermelon Feta Salad
Sweet, juicy watermelon balanced by briny feta cheese and mint is a match made in heaven with salmon. Dice watermelon into bite-size chunks. Then crumble feta over the top and scatter on some torn mint leaves.
Drizzle everything with a honey lemon dressing made with olive oil, honey, lemon juice and a bit of Dijon mustard. You can also add in cucumber slices or slivered red onion for extra crunch and bite. It’s a beautiful summer salad perfect for patio dinners.
5. Greek Salad
A classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion, Kalamata olives and feta cheese makes a fantastic accompaniment to salmon. The combination of juicy vegetables, briny olives, creamy feta and a red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing pairs perfectly with the richness of the fish.
Chop up all the veggies, toss with the olives and cheese and dress it all with a simple Greek dressing (don’t forget the oregano!). Serve the salad alongside simply baked or poached salmon for a filling and balanced meal.
6. Spinach Strawberry Salad
For an elegant spring or summer salad, combine fresh spinach leaves with sliced fresh strawberries, toasted almonds and tangy goat cheese crumbles. Then make a simple balsamic vinaigrette with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard.
The sweet juicy strawberries, crunchy almonds and creamy goat cheese contrast beautifully with peppery spinach. And the tangy dressing pulls it all together. Serve with honey mustard glazed salmon for a restaurant-worthy dinner.
7. Arugula Salad with Figs
Fresh figs make any salad feel fancy. For this autumn-inspired salad, slice up fresh figs and toss them over peppery arugula along with toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese.
Whisk up a maple balsamic vinaigrette with walnut oil, balsamic vinegar and real maple syrup. Drizzle over the salad for a perfect fall flavor match with baked salmon and roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or butternut squash.
8. Radish Cucumber Salad
This simple chilled radish and cucumber salad is incredibly refreshing with rich salmon fillets. Thinly slice radishes and English cucumbers. Toss them together with slivered red onion and fresh dill.
Then dress the salad with a bright lemony vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, honey and Dijon. The crisp radish and cucumber paired with the tangy dressing cuts through the fattiness of salmon perfectly. It’s an easy go-to summer side.
9. Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Caprese salad is a classic for good reason. Alternating fresh tomato slices, mozzarella slices, basil leaves and balsamic reduction makes an easy yet impressive salad to serve with salmon. The juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fragrant basil are the perfect complement.
For extras flavor, brush the tomato slices with olive oil and grill them for 1-2 minutes per side before assembling the salad. The touch of smoky char flavor enhances the sweetness of the tomatoes.
10. Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad
Here’s another great summer salad recipe: Toss together mixed baby greens or spinach with fresh blueberries, crumbled goat cheese, toasted pecans and red onion slivers. Then drizzle on a blueberry balsamic vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and pureed fresh blueberries.
The sweet tangy blueberries pair wonderfully with the creamy goat cheese and crunchy pecans. And the salad holds up well to the fattiness of grilled or broiled salmon fillets. Take this berry-licious salad to your next warm weather picnic or patio dinner.
With so many easy salad options, there’s no shortage of delicious ways to round out your salmon dinner. Try pairing it with a cool kale or quinoa salad, fresh berry-topped greens, classic Greek or caprese, or your favorite combination of veggies, greens, cheese and nuts. With a homemade vinaigrette, you can turn basic ingredients into a gourmet accompaniment for your fish.
Components For Meal-Sized Salads
This salmon salad from the Mediterranean is delicious and has all the things I look for in a meal-sized salad (p.s. read my full guide on how to make a healthy meal-sized salad):
- lots of veggies – romaine, onion and tomatoes.
- a good source of protein – salmon and quinoa.
- smart carbs – quinoa is mixed into this salad. You can look at my list of quinoa salad recipes.
- olives, almonds, and feta cheese are all good sources of healthy fats and taste great.
- It makes you feel full because it has a lot of flavor, different textures, and a big serving size.
How to Make Mediterranean Salmon Salad
Step 1: The first step is to cook your salmon. Rub the salmon fillet with olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Spray the fish with lemon juice and place it on a baking sheet with parchment paper. The skin side should be down. Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until just cooked through.
Step 2: Get the rest of the salad ingredients ready while the salmon is cooking. Cut up the romaine lettuce and put it in a big salad bowl. Add the cooked quinoa, red onion, tomatoes, olives, feta, and chopped almonds on top of the romaine.
3. Once the salmon is cooked all the way through, let it cool for one to two minutes. Then, put some salmon on top of each salad and enjoy!
This salad is completely customizable! Here are some suggestions for variations and substitutions:
- If you don’t like romaine, you can use any other leafy green you like instead.
- Leave out the feta cheese (or use a vegan alternative) to make this dairy-free and vegan.
- Use different vegetables—If you have different vegetables on hand, feel free to add them! Cucumbers or bell peppers would taste great.
- Change the grains. If you don’t like quinoa, you can use rice or farro instead to make this salad heartier.
- Don’t use salmon. Instead, use chicken or tempeh, tofu, or beans if you want to make this salad vegetarian.
- Change the dressing—want a different dressing? This salad would taste great with this red wine vinaigrette or this white balsamic vinaigrette!
- Instead of nuts, use seeds. You can use sunflower seeds or pepitas instead of almonds if you are allergic to nuts or just like seeds.
- Add fresh herbs. I love making salads taste better with fresh herbs. This salad would taste great with either fresh oregano or fresh dill.
Easy Chopped Salad | Diet Recipes | Salad SIDE for Salmon | Recipes Are Simple
FAQ
What is salmon usually served with?
What appetizer goes well with salmon?
What’s a good dressing for a salmon salad?
What salad goes with salmon?
Common salads that go well with salmon are green salads, Caesar salad, Cobb salad, Nicoise salad, and beet salad. If you want to try something different, you can also serve salmon with quinoa salad, watercress salad, or grapefruit avocado salad. Still looking for salad ideas? Then keep scrolling! Here are 11 salads that go with salmon: 1.
What are the benefits of eating cooked salmon for dinner daily?
The daily consumption of salmon can provide proteins of high biological value, healthy fats, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, selenium, and vitamins of groups B, E, and D.
What to serve with salmon?
Basics like rice, vegetables, or salad work well with salmon, but we have much more too. Here are 55 side dishes to serve with salmon, no matter how you plan on cooking it. We especially love any kind of roasted potato side or a bright potato salad showered with lots of fresh herbs. Melted Parmesan takes these roasted potatoes to a whole new level.
What are the best side dishes for salmon?
The best side dishes for salmon should be simple enough to make while the salmon cooks, and deliver plenty of flavor without outshining the beautiful fish. Basics like rice, vegetables, or salad work well with salmon, but we have much more too. Here are 55 side dishes to serve with salmon, no matter how you plan on cooking it.