Lemon Herb Salmon Salad (Printable)

Flaky salmon paired with quinoa, mixed greens, and fresh herbs in a bright lemon vinaigrette. Light, nourishing, and easy to prepare.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 salmon fillets, skinless, 120 g 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 including arugula, spinach, and romaine
10 - 1 cup fresh herbs chopped, combination of parsley, dill, mint, and basil
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

# 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 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 and well combined.
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 four plates. Top each with a warm salmon fillet. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the salmon and garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in about half an hour, which means you can have a restaurant-quality meal on a weeknight without breaking a sweat.
  • The lemon vinaigrette brightens everything up and makes each bite feel fresh and alive.
  • You get protein, greens, and grains all in one bowl, so it's genuinely nourishing without feeling heavy.
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day once the flavors have had time to mingle.
02 -
  • Don't overbake the salmon or it will turn dry and chalky, check it at 12 minutes and pull it out as soon as it flakes.
  • Let the quinoa cool for a few minutes before mixing it into the salad, otherwise it will wilt the greens and make everything soggy.
  • Use the vinaigrette sparingly at first, you can always add more but you can't take it back once the salad is overdressed.
03 -
  • Zest the lemon before you juice it, because trying to zest a juiced lemon is nearly impossible and you'll end up frustrated.
  • If your vinaigrette separates, just whisk it again right before drizzling, or shake it in a jar with a lid for a few seconds.
  • Taste the salmon before it goes in the oven and adjust the seasoning, because once it's cooked it's harder to fix.
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