Zesty Salmon Salad Recipe: A Fresh Catch for Your Table

Fresh, vibrant greens dance with succulent salmon salad that promises a burst of ocean-fresh flavors in every bite.

Omega-rich salmon meets crisp vegetables in a light, zesty composition that feels both elegant and effortless.

Mediterranean herbs and a bright citrus dressing complement the delicate fish perfectly.

Each forkful delivers a symphony of textures and tastes that delight the palate.

The protein-packed salad comes together in mere minutes, making it an ideal meal for busy weeknights.

Nutrition meets deliciousness in this simple yet sophisticated dish that will become your new favorite quick lunch or dinner option.

Dive into this refreshing salmon creation and savor every delectable moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes Into Salmon Salad

• Salmon: Rich, flaky fish that provides the main protein punch, choose wild-caught for deeper flavor and better nutrition.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp, crisp bite and vibrant color, select firm onions with no soft spots for maximum crunch.

• Celery: Brings delightful texture and subtle herbaceous notes, pick bright green stalks that snap crisply when bent.

• Mayonnaise, Lemon Juice, Fresh Dill, Salt, Black Pepper: Smooth, tangy dressing that marries all ingredients with zesty brightness, select fresh dill for most aromatic flavor and use freshly ground black pepper for robust warmth.

Tools Needed for Salmon Salad

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining salmon, onion, and celery.
• Small bowl: Perfect for whisking together dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend mayonnaise, lemon juice, and seasonings smoothly.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Needed for dicing red onion and celery precisely.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and dressing proportions.

Putting Together the Salmon Salad

• Salmon Selection

Fresh, high-quality salmon creates the foundation of this delightful dish. Choose wild-caught or sustainably farmed salmon for the best flavor and texture.

• Ingredient Prep

Chop red onion and celery into small, uniform pieces. These crisp vegetables add a refreshing crunch and subtle flavor to the salad.

• Creamy Dressing Creation

Blend mayonnaise with zesty lemon juice and fragrant fresh dill. The combination creates a tangy, herbaceous sauce that perfectly complements the rich salmon.

• Gentle Mixing

Carefully fold the dressing into the salmon and vegetable mixture. Ensure each morsel is evenly coated with the creamy sauce, distributing flavors throughout.

• Serving and Storage

Enjoy the salad immediately for optimal taste and texture. If not serving right away, refrigerate in a sealed container. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even more delicious within a few hours.

Tips for a Better Salmon Salad

• Swap canned salmon for leftover grilled or poached fresh salmon for a gourmet twist that elevates the entire dish.
• Add chopped pickles, capers, or sliced almonds to introduce extra crunch and unexpected flavor complexity to the salad.
• Enjoy this salad nestled on crisp lettuce leaves, stuffed into a hollowed tomato, or spread between toasted whole wheat bread for a satisfying lunch.
• Replace traditional mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or avocado for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.

How to Serve Salmon Salad

• Picnic Perfect Plate: Pack this salmon salad in a mason jar for a delightful lunch on-the-go, layering ingredients to keep everything crisp and fresh.
• Sandwich Sensation: Spread the salmon salad between two slices of toasted whole grain bread, adding crisp lettuce and sliced tomatoes for extra crunch and flavor.
• Appetizer Elegance: Serve the salmon salad on small crackers or cucumber rounds as a sophisticated party starter that will impress guests with minimal effort.
• Protein-Packed Greens: Transform the salmon salad into a light meal by placing it atop a bed of mixed greens, sprinkled with chopped nuts for added texture and nutrition.

Storage Guidelines for Salmon Salad

• Cool Container Strategy: Transfer the salmon salad to a sealed glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other refrigerator items.
• Quick Chill Zone: Always refrigerate the salad within two hours of preparation to keep ingredients safe and maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Ingredient Separation Hack: If planning to store the salad, consider keeping the dressing separate until right before serving to prevent soggy ingredients and maintain crisp vegetable crunch.
• Consumption Timeline: Enjoy the salmon salad within 3-4 days for best quality, checking for any signs of spoilage like unusual odors or color changes before consuming stored portions.

Crispy Salmon Salad Recipe

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• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Luxurious salmon salad combines fresh Pacific salmon with crisp Mediterranean vegetables and zesty herb dressing. Mediterranean ingredients create perfect balance while highlighting delicate fish flavors you can savor in each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 15 oz (425 g) salmon (canned or freshly cooked)
• ½ tbsp (7.5 mL) fresh dill (or 1 tsp dry dill)
• ½ cup (120 mL) mayonnaise (light mayonnaise can be used)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
• ½ tsp (2.5 g) salt
• Black pepper to taste
• ½ small red onion, diced small
• 1 stalk celery, diced

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Flake the cooled salmon into delicate, bite-sized fragments, maintaining a light, textured consistency.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Mince red onion and celery into precise, miniature cubes to distribute aromatic elements throughout the mixture.
3. Dressing Creation: Craft a zesty emulsion by blending mayonnaise with freshly extracted lemon juice, fragrant dill, and a subtle salt accent.
4. Seasoning Refinement: Enhance the dressing with cracked black pepper, calibrating the flavor profile to achieve a harmonious balance.
5. Composition: Integrate diced vegetables with flaked salmon in a spacious mixing vessel, establishing a robust foundational layer for the salad.
6. Final Assembly: Cascade the prepared dressing over the salmon mixture, gently incorporating ingredients to ensure uniform coating without compromising the fish’s delicate structure.
7. Flavor Development: Refrigerate the assembled salad for 15-20 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify their collective flavor profile.
8. Serving and Storage: Deliver the chilled salad with a light toss, and preserve any remaining portions in a sealed container for up to four days.

Notes

• Flake Carefully: Break salmon into delicate, small pieces to maintain a tender texture and prevent large, tough chunks.
• Dice with Precision: Uniformly chop red onion and celery to ensure consistent flavor distribution and balanced bite in every spoonful.
• Zest Up the Dressing: Whisk mayonnaise with fresh lemon juice and dill to create a bright, tangy complement that enhances the salmon’s richness.
• Chill for Flavor: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg