Lemon Herb Salmon Salad (Printable)

Flaky salmon, fluffy quinoa, crisp greens, and fresh herbs in a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Nourishing and 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 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 sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Bake for 12-15 minutes until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, chopped fresh herbs, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, and cooled cooked quinoa. Drizzle with half the vinaigrette and toss gently.
05 - Divide the salad among serving plates. Top each portion with a warm salmon fillet. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over the salmon and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in about half an hour but tastes like you spent all afternoon on it.
  • The citrus vinaigrette brightens everything without overpowering the delicate salmon.
  • You get protein, greens, and grains all in one bowl, so no need for sides.
  • Leftovers hold up beautifully for lunch the next day, even cold.
02 -
  • If you overcook the salmon, it turns dry and chalky, so pull it out when it's just barely opaque in the thickest part.
  • Letting the quinoa cool for a few minutes before tossing it with the greens prevents everything from wilting.
  • The vinaigrette needs to be whisked vigorously or the oil will separate and pool at the bottom of your bowl.
03 -
  • Pat the salmon fillets completely dry before seasoning so the lemon zest sticks and the fish gets a better sear or crust.
  • Toast the quinoa in the dry saucepan for a minute before adding water to bring out a subtle nutty flavor.
  • Let the vinaigrette sit for 10 minutes before using so the garlic mellows and the flavors meld together.
Go Back