Lemon Herb Salmon Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salmon and quinoa salad with crisp greens, fresh herbs, and bright citrus vinaigrette. Ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets, skinless, 4.2 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 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

# How-To Steps:

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 sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until 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 and serve immediately with extra herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in about half an hour but tastes like you spent way longer on it.
  • The citrus vinaigrette makes everything taste brighter and more alive without any fuss.
  • You get protein, greens, and grains all in one bowl, so it actually keeps you full.
  • Leftovers hold up surprisingly well for lunch the next day, even with the dressing on.
02 -
  • Don't overcook the salmon or it'll turn dry and chalky—pull it out when it's just opaque in the center and still a little glossy.
  • Let the quinoa cool for a few minutes before tossing it with the greens or the heat will wilt everything into sad, soggy lettuce.
  • Make extra vinaigrette and keep it in a jar in the fridge—it's good on roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even as a marinade for chicken.
03 -
  • Pat the salmon fillets dry with a paper towel before seasoning so the lemon zest sticks better and the skin crisps up if you leave it on.
  • Toast the quinoa in a dry pan for a minute before cooking it to bring out a nutty flavor that makes the whole dish taste richer.
  • Massage the greens with a tiny bit of vinaigrette before adding the other ingredients—it softens them slightly and helps the flavors sink in.
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