Herb-Crusted Salmon Salad (Printable)

Tender salmon baked with fresh herbs served warm over crisp mixed greens and a zesty vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets, approximately 5 oz each
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp Dijon mustard
04 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
08 - 1 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Salad

11 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
14 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or almonds (optional)
16 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Vinaigrette

17 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice
19 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
20 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
21 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to create a herb paste.
03 - Arrange the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and evenly spread the herb paste over each fillet.
04 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
05 - In a large bowl, toss together salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, nuts, and feta cheese if using.
06 - Whisk extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar or lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
07 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss to combine.
08 - Divide the salad onto four plates and top each with a warm herb-crusted salmon fillet. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The salmon finishes cooking while you're tossing the salad, so everything comes together warm and fresh at exactly the same moment.
  • Those fresh herbs create a crust that tastes restaurant-quality but takes just minutes to throw together.
  • It's elegant enough for company but simple enough for a regular Tuesday night when you're tired.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the salmon come to room temperature before baking—it ensures the center cooks through without the outside becoming tough.
  • The herb paste needs to be applied right before baking, not hours ahead, or the herbs lose their brightness and turn muddy in color.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts in a dry skillet for two minutes before adding them—it wakes up their flavor in a way that makes the salad taste more complete and intentional.
  • Make the vinaigrette in a jar so you can shake it together ahead of time, and it'll be perfectly emulsified and ready to go when you need it.
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