Lemon Herb Salmon Salad (Printable)

Flaky salmon, fluffy quinoa, crisp greens, and fresh herbs tossed in zesty citrus vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets, skinless, 4 oz 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
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 tray 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 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 with a warm salmon fillet. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the salmon. Serve immediately, garnished with extra herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but comes together in about half an hour, perfect for when you want something special on a weeknight.
  • The lemon vinaigrette brings everything to life without overwhelming the delicate salmon or earthy quinoa.
  • You can prep the quinoa and chop the vegetables ahead, then just bake the salmon and toss everything together.
  • It feels nourishing in a way that leaves you satisfied but not heavy, ideal for warm evenings or post-workout meals.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the salmon, it continues to cook a bit after you pull it from the oven, so aim for just opaque in the center.
  • Let the quinoa cool slightly before adding it to the greens or it will wilt them into sad, limp ribbons.
  • Dress the salad right before serving, if it sits too long the greens get soggy and lose their snap.
  • Reserve some vinaigrette for drizzling over the salmon at the end, it keeps the fish moist and flavorful.
03 -
  • Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel before seasoning so the oil and spices adhere better and the fish browns slightly in the oven.
  • Taste your vinaigrette before dressing the salad, the balance of acid, fat, and sweetness should feel bright but not harsh.
  • Use a fork to fluff the quinoa as soon as it's done steaming, this prevents clumping and keeps the grains light and separate.
  • If your red onion tastes too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for five minutes before adding them to the salad.
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