This Grilled Salmon Salad is simple, elegant and delicious. It is easy to make and tastes simply amazing . It only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to produce this tempting salad for a beautiful summer meal.
If you want some more ways to elevate your fish, try my tuna fish cakes or my pistachio crusted halibut.
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Why this Grilled Salmon Salad Recipe is a Keeper
Grilled salmon is a classic dish that’s both delicious and nutritious. Paired with a fresh, vibrant greens, it makes for a light and satisfying meal. If you love salmon, be sure to check out this Salmon Pesto Pasta. I love the flavor of this dish. Or, if you prefer a more conventional recipe, give this pasta salad a try.
- 30 Minute Meal: This recipe is quick and easy!
- Easy Ingredients: It uses common ingredients you often have on hand.
- Delicious Flavor: The dish tastes amazing and is a hit every time.
- Healthy: It’s a nutritious option that fits well into a balanced diet.
- Special Occasion Worthy: It’s impressive enough to serve at a gathering or holiday.
What is the best way to keep the salmon froms ticking to the grill?
Ensure your grill is clean and preheated before adding the salmon. Oil the grill grates lightly with a high-smoke-point oil like grapeseed or olive oil. Consider using a fish basket or a cedar plank to help prevent sticking.
Ingredient Notes For Salmon on the Grill
- Salmon Filets: Cut into 4 to 6 ounce pieces.
- BBQ Sauce: The recipe is a favorite, however you can make your favorite.
Salad Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes: Use a variety of colors for a great presentation.
- Mixed Field Greens: A mix of lettuces, such as romaine, butter lettuce, and red leaf lettuce, along with other greens like spinach, arugula, and sometimes even kale or chard.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Delicious Grilled Salmon Salad
The great thing about this salad is that you can serve the salmon warm on top or keep in the fridge until ready to eat as it is great cold too.
- This grilled salmon salad is a perfect choice for a quick and healthy dinner. It’s also great for meal prep, as the salmon and salad can be prepared in advance.
Special Equipment Needed for the Best Grilled Salmon Salad
- Grill: Use and indoor grill or an outdoor charcoal or gas grill.
Pro Tip for Grilled Salmon Salad
Skin side down first: Grill the salmon skin-side down first to create a crispy skin. Lightly grease the grill and use a fish spatula to flip.
How to Make Grilled Salmon Salad
This meal is perfect for a quick and easy dinner for the family or for an elegant dinner party or a hot summer day. It is healthy and delicious.
These are the basic steps for making grilled salmon. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. If you made this recipe, let us know below.
1. Grill the Wild Salmon
First, season and grill the salmon on medium-high heat. For 3-4 minutes per side.
2. Brush the Salmon
Next, baste the salmon in the barbecue sauce. Continue to grill for a minute more or until desired doneness. Place salmon on the side to rest.
3. Assemble the Salad
Then clean, cut and prep your lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and cucumber in a large bowl.
4. Make the Dressing Recipe
Finally, in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Place the salmon on the salad and drizzle the top with the flavorful salad dressing.
How to Store this Salmon Recipe and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store the salmon and salad separately in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Using Leftovers: You can use the salad and salmon for different meals or for lunch the next day.
Variations and Substitutions for Salad with Salmon
- Grill: For a smoky flavor, cook the salmon over hardwood charcoal. If you don’t have a grill, you can bake the salmon in the oven.
- Veggies: Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite vegetables and herbs.
- Add: For a more substantial meal, serve the grilled salmon salad with a side of quinoa or roasted potatoes.
- Dressing: Make your own dressing, lime dressing, yogurt dill dressing or whatever vinaigrette you prefer.
Grilled Salmon Salad Recipe FAQs and Reader Interactions
Generally, no. Salmon is best cooked skin-side down to prevent the flesh from falling apart. Flipping it can increase the risk of it sticking and breaking. However, if you want grill marks on both sides, you can briefly flip it towards the end of cooking.
Yes, grilling lettuce can add a smoky flavor and a slightly charred texture, which can be a delicious addition to a salad.
Wild-caught salmon generally has a richer flavor and firmer texture. Farmed salmon is often more affordable and has a milder flavor. Both are packed with protein.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Making Grilled Salmon Steaks This Recipe
Make this grilled salmon fillet with your favorite toppings such as avocado for more healthy fat or flavorful feta cheese. Always make extra dressing because it is so good
- Don’t overcook the salmon. Overcooked salmon can become dry and tough.
- Let the salmon rest before serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the fish.
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients will make your salad taste better.
- Get creative with your toppings. Add your favorite fruits, nuts, or cheeses to your salad.
Grilled Salmon Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds Salmon, cut into 4-6 oz filets
- 1 teaspoon Lemon-pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup BBQ Sauce
Salad
- 4 cups Mixed Field Greens
- 16 Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 Cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ Red Onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- ¼ teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
Instructions
- Spray grill with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Preheat grill to medium high.
- Season both sides of salmon with lemon-pepper and garlic.
- Place salmon on grill and grill for five minutes per side.
- Baste both sides with barbeque sauce and grill for one to two minutes more per side.
Salad
- Toss together your salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
Christina’s Notes
- Get creative with your toppings. Add your favorite fruits, nuts, or cheeses to your salad.
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh ingredients will make your salad taste better.
- Let the salmon rest before serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the fish.
- Don’t overcook the salmon. Overcooked salmon can become dry and tough.
- Zest: Lemon Zest or lime zest or lime juice add real zing or use a tropical flair by adding some grilled pineapple slices.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
I love the bbq flavor which helps downplay the strong taste of the salmon itself. Yummy.
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
Our new favorite way to make salmon. This was absolutely scrumptious! Thank you!
So simple and delicious! I absolutely loved this with the lemon zest you suggested.
That sounds amazing!