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Fresh Salmon Salad Recipe (and Giveaway!)

This fresh salmon salad recipe is perfect for summer and full of good-for-you fats!

Fats got a bad rap for years, but we are—one nutrition post at a time—trying to set the fat story straight. Because, the good kinds of fat (think nuts, olives, avocados, coconut) are actually really, really good for you and can help you to lose weight! Seriously. And this Fresh Salmon Salad recipe from the International Olive Council’s Add Some Life campaign is a fabulous way to nom-nom some of that healthy fat.

The below salmon salad recipe takes just 25 minutes to make (including prep time!), serves six to eight (perfect for families—or leftovers!) and is also rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and all kinds of goodies that your body will gobble up. Bonus? It’s also deee-licious. Enjoy!

Fresh Salmon Salad Recipe

Ingredients
1 c original quinoa
2 c water
1 pound salmon fillet, thawed if frozen
3 tbsp plus 2 tsp extra virgin or plain olive oil
5 to 6 sprigs plus 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 tsp grated lemon peel
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 c chopped mushrooms
1/2 c slivered ripe olives
1/4 c sliced pitted green olives
3 tbsp sliced green onion
Spinach or leaf lettuce

Directions
1. Heat oven to 400◦F. Line small baking sheet with foil; lightly grease with olive oil. Meanwhile, bring water to boil in medium saucepan, salt lightly if desired. Stir in quinoa; return to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place salmon skin-side-down on foil. Drizzle 2 teaspoons olive oil evenly over fillet; sprinkle lightly with pepper, if desired, and top with dill sprigs. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily in thickest part. Remove from oven; cool slightly.

olive council3. In large bowl, blend remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, remaining 2 tablespoons dill and lemon peel; whisk until blended. Add quinoa, mushrooms, olives and green onion; mix to coat.

4. Layer spinach on serving platter or plates; top with quinoa. Break salmon into large chunks and arrange on quinoa.

And to encourage you to get your healthy salad on, the International Olive Council is giving away a prize pack to help you to build a better salad. Tell us what ingredients are in your favorite salad, and one lucky U.S. reader will win a Williams-Sonoma Salad Spinner, a Crate and Barrel Salad Dressing Mixer, Crate and Barrel Serving Tongs, an Add Some Life re-usable bag and an Add Some Life note pad. Winners will be chosen in about a week and notified via email and in the comments. G’luck! —Jenn


FTC disclosure: We often receive products from companies to review. All thoughts and opinions are always entirely our own. Unless otherwise stated, we have received no compensation for our review and the content is purely editorial. Affiliate links may be included. If you purchase something through one of those links we may receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!

Comments

44 Comments
  1. Stephanie says:

    My favorite salad is romaine lettuce, some grilled chicken, walnuts, dried cranberries, and either balsamic vinaigrette dressing or raspberry-walnut vinaigrette. Sometimes I swap out the walnuts with avocado bits. YUM!

  2. Liz C. says:

    I love caprese salad, particularly with fresh basil and homegrown tomatoes. It’s simple and delicious!

  3. Kayla says:

    I have a love affair with grilled chicken, blueberries, strawberries, sweet pecans and very berry vinaigrettes! However, I’ve found myself venturing down a more spicy, exotic road lately. I love red bell peppers with asian toasted sesame dressing and an assortment of other tasty items. I’ve also been dying to try salmon in a salad lately! This recipe is perfectly timed (and the giveaway is a nice kick). 🙂 I hope to hear from you!!!

  4. LauraT says:

    My favorite salad is baby spinach with canned salmon, steamed beets (chopped), red onion, feta cheese, walnut halves and balsamic vinegar.

    Quick easy, very nutritious & yummy!

  5. I love salads with baby spinach, tomato, hazelnuts drizzled with some vinaigrette 🙂

  6. Jenna Z says:

    I eat a huge salad nearly everyday for lunch and yesterday was a favorite! Lettuce from my garden, thinly sliced onions, chopped tomato, avocado, topped with a mixture of brown rice black beans and salsa!

  7. Meagan V says:

    Generally I like Mediterranean type salads-with feta, olives, tomatoes-lots of flavor. However, I am early in a pregnancy right now and salad greens just don’t sound that good. I think I could go for Caprese salad right now!

  8. I love sweet potatoes and chobani greek yogurt on my salads lately. YUM!

  9. Rose C. says:

    I love spinach, hard-boiled egg, mushrooms, red bell peppers and avocado, with a smattering of nuts (any kind will do!)…finished with an EVOO & Balsamic blend. Yummy!

  10. Rachael says:

    I love added fresh home grown veg – tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers – they always taste so much nicer home made. Always topped off with tuna and melted cheese.

  11. Amanda says:

    rocket, red onions, cherries tomatoes, mixed beans, palm hearts and asparagus/ green beans yummmy

  12. Kimberly says:

    I love a salad of baby greens, grilled chicken, blackberries, toasted almonds, and orange poppyseed dressing. YUM!

  13. Robin says:

    spinach, sunflower seeds, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese, Italian dressing

  14. Lisa says:

    My favorite salad has berries (any type I can find), cranberries, apple, feta cheese or a good quality blue cheese, almonds and mixed baby greens. Yum yum yum. Generally balsamic vinaigrette for the dressing.

  15. Melissa says:

    My favorite salad has mesclun, kale, lots of chopped veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, etc. along with some edamame and ginger dressing… yum!

  16. Debbie says:

    Lots of apple cider vinegar and smaller amount olive oil on spinach, mustard or collard greens, tomatoes, shredded carrots,garlic cloves, tons of spices and canned mackerel, topped with nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor!

  17. Jessica says:

    In the summer: spinach, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, toasted almonds and homemade poppyseed dressing (veg oil, vinegar, ground mustard, sugar, onion, poppyseeds)

    In the winter: mixed greens, apple and pear slices, pecans, shredded swiss (or goat cheese), lemon vinegarette

    runner up: Kale, mango, toasted nuts, dressing of olive oil, honey, lemon juice and pepper

    I love me some fruit in my salad!

  18. Hannah says:

    My grandfather taught me well about putting apples in my salad and I love doing so. Leftover cold veggies are always good, feta, as well as longs of balsamic vinegar. I’m a fan of salsa, tomato sauce, and mustard as well.

  19. Christina says:

    My favorit salad ingredients are usually a variety of lettuces, tons of crunchy chopped veggies and some sort of grilled protein like chicken or salmon. YUM YUM. topped with a light vinegarette.

  20. Janet says:

    I love a nice spinach and baby green salad with pomegranate seeds, bell peppers, walnuts with an olive oil, lemon and chia seeds dressing!

  21. Betsy says:

    How fun is that?! I love summer salads with strawberries and either chopped walnuts or slivered almonds with a light fruity vinaigrette.

    My friend also makes a mean Cashew Chicken salad. Grilled chicken, cashews, and shredded asiago cheese. The dressing is what makes it. Olive oil, a little sugar, lemon juice, and some spices. YUM!

  22. Megan says:

    I love salads that mix fruits and veggies. Strawberry spinach salad, asian salads with mandrian oranges, etc.

  23. Tracey says:

    I love love love a salad with a spinach and kale mix, apples, cranberries, and walnuts. Dress it with some balsamic and olive oil, and a tsp of chia seeds. Amazing alone or with some pork or chicken in it!

  24. Carmen W says:

    I love romaine lettuce, baby spinach, walnuts, green apples slices, cranberries, & strawberries. I add lemon, olive oil & black pepper.

  25. LisaT says:

    My favorite salad includes Spring Mix lettuces, strawberries, black olives, radishes and feta cheese.

  26. Sam H says:

    My absolute favorite salad is a spring mix base, with strawberries, dried cranberries, walnuts, and goat cheese with a homemade balsamic dressing! I always have these items in the house and it is such an easy and delicious go-to!

  27. Monica says:

    Avocado makes everything better!

  28. Julie says:

    lettuce, chickpeas,green onion, shredded cheese,diced up carrots
    thanks

  29. I really Like Southwest inspired Salads: romaine or butter lettuce, black beans, spicy tomatoes, jalapenos, diced onions, sprinkle of cheese, salsa and maybe some guacamole

  30. manda says:

    I like salad with plenty of veggies and good cheese!

  31. Mmmm my favorite is spinach or romaine topped with apples, roasted pecans, feta, and raspberry walnut vinaigrette.

    My second favorite is spinach topped with roasted-until-they-pop cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, and parmesan.

  32. Samantha Wallace says:

    My fav is spinach with grilled chicken, strawberries, blueberries, almonds, crumbled blue cheese and a fat free pomegranate viniagrette.

  33. Nicole says:

    I’d have to say: spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, walnuts, & Hendrickson dressing.

  34. jodie says:

    My fav combo is Kale, Spinach, arugula and mache, with 1-2tbs slivered almonds, 1 tbs cranberry, slice of avocado, purple onion, radish, tomatoes, cucumber, fennel, fish for protein and tossed with a sprinkle or two of garlic gold, pepper flakes (a lot) and balsamic vinaigrette .

  35. TC says:

    My favorite is mixed salad greens (must include arugula), with lots of blueberries and queso fresco.

  36. My favorite salad has kale and baby spinach with avocado, dried cranberries, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and a homemade dijon vinaigrette.

  37. Kristy Doyle says:

    Kale, TJ’s organic herb salad mix, cucumbers, tomatoes, protein (roasted chickpeas or nuts), fruit, feta ams balsamic. Yummmmm!

  38. Melissa Genestra says:

    My favorite salad is an Apple pecan salad. Romaine lettece, grilled chicken, gorganzolla cheese, pecans and apples with raspberry vingarette.

  39. Christina J says:

    I like to make a Greek salad with either a thawed frozen salmon fillet or salmon in a pouch, romaine, spinach and veggies I have on hand – usually cukes, shredded carrots, red cabbage, red bell pepper, feta cheese & Greek olives, sometimes artichoke hearts. I make a vinaigrette with EVOO, red wine vinegar and seasonings. Super yummy & totally healthy!

  40. Michelle Morton says:

    I have a salad (or 2!) everyday. My favorite includes fresh baby spinach leaves, spring mix and romaine, red pepper strips, blackened salmon (seasoned with smoked paprika, chili powder & Mrs. Dash), chopped tomato, sliced raw almonds, and finely shredded carrots. I top it off with a drizzle of cranberry balsamic dressing. <3

  41. Lea says:

    I love salmon. I make a huge salad with romaine, spinach, whatever veggies I can find in the fridge and salmon or chicken. Then usually sunflower seeds, plum amazins & light ranch. Yum!

  42. Rachel Wilkerson says:

    Love feta in my salads!

  43. Jenn says:

    Our winner is comment No. 9 — Rose C! Rose, we’re emailing you now to get your mailing address. 🙂 Congrats!

    –FBG Jenn

  44. Rose C. says:

    Thank you so much Jenn! I am so excited to get to the farmer’s market and start making more salads! 🙂

Comments are closed.