Lemon Herb Salmon Salad (Printer-friendly)

Flaky salmon paired with fluffy quinoa, crisp greens, and fresh herbs in a bright lemon vinaigrette. A nourishing main dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets, skinless (120 g each)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Quinoa

06 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
07 - 2 cups water
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Salad

09 - 4 cups mixed salad greens
10 - 1 cup fresh herbs, chopped (parsley, dill, mint, basil)
11 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1/2 cucumber, sliced
13 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Citrus Vinaigrette

14 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
15 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
19 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
20 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cool slightly.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place salmon fillets on the tray, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until salmon is just cooked through and flakes easily.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, chopped herbs, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and cooked quinoa. Drizzle with half the vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
05 - Divide the salad among plates. Top each portion with a warm salmon fillet. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the salmon and serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels fancy but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • The citrus vinaigrette brightens everything without any heavy cream or mayo.
  • You can prep the quinoa and vinaigrette ahead, making weeknight assembly a breeze.
  • Its light enough for lunch but filling enough to keep you satisfied until dinner.
02 -
  • Dont overdress the salad at first, you can always add more vinaigrette but you cant take it back.
  • Let the quinoa cool for at least five minutes before adding it to the greens or it will wilt everything.
  • If your salmon fillets are thicker than usual, add a few extra minutes in the oven and check with a fork.
03 -
  • Zest the lemon directly over the salmon so the oils land right on the fish and intensify the flavor.
  • Warm salmon on cold greens is the magic combination, so dont let the fish cool completely before plating.
  • If your red onion tastes too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for five minutes and pat them dry.
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