17 Salmon Salad Recipes That The Whole Family Will Love

If you’re on the hunt for some outstanding salmon salad recipes to step up your salad proteins, we’ve scoured the web for the best salmon salad recipes. 

Salmon is one of the tastiest and most beautiful fish that we enjoy eating. 

The charming pink color and rich, oily flavor has come to be enjoyed in a myriad of ways. 

People enjoy raw salmon in sushi, grilled salmon at a barbecue, or smoked salmon on their morning bagel.

From fruity to spicy to simple, our list of salmon salad ideas has something for everyone that loves this delicate fish paired with some leafy greens. 

And we even have some salads sans leafy greens! 

Chicken can get bland after you toss it on top of enough salads, so simply swapping out your standard protein for something more exciting will spice up your lunchtime and make you excited for your next salad. 

And you don’t need to visit your local fishmonger to make these recipes happen. 

We included recipes that use canned salmon and smoked salmon as well as fresh salmon with a salad. 

Whoever said salads were boring was severely mistaken and clearly hadn’t read our dazzling list of salmon salad recipes that will blow your mind. 

Sometimes fish are forgotten when people think of salad proteins, but you may be surprised by the kind of bold flavors that salmon can hold its own next to. 

We have an acidic Heirloom Tomato Salad, a tasty Salmon Potato Salad, and a fruity Strawberry Arugula Salad that exemplifies the versatility and range of this pink fish. 

Whether you’ve been a long-time lover of salmon or are just introducing yourself to this tasty fish, you’ll find the perfect salmon salad idea for you right here! 

Keep reading to discover the best salmon salad recipes on the web that can inspire you to make salmon part of your regular diet.

1. Tropical Salmon Salad

Vanilla and salmon might sound like an odd combination, but this tropical salmon salad works. 

It delivers a bold citrus flavor that pairs well with the fishy flavor of salmon with the surprise-rich flavor of vanilla.

Most people would never pair these flavors, but this salmon salad is a burst of exciting flavors, and everything is heightened because of the exotic use of vanilla in this way.

2. Salmon Cobb Salad

Cobb salads have everything in them, and this one also has some juicy salmon on top. 

The best thing about cobb salads is that you can customize them however you want by adding or subtracting ingredients. 

This recipe twists the classic American cobb salad and delivers a refreshing and satisfying taste.

This dish is sure to fill you up and still leave you wanting more at the end. 

3. Fennel And Olive Salmon Salad

If you want simple and delectable salmon salad ideas, save this recipe for when you’re craving something salty and flavorful but are low on ingredients.

Fennel isn’t for everybody, as many people describe its flavor as a licorice taste, but for those that enjoy the ingredient, it can bring loads of flavor to many dishes.

This can be an arugula salmon salad if you can’t wrap your head around the fennel flavor, but we recommend giving the taste a chance before you substitute it.

4. Bagel And Lox Salad

We love a classic bagel with lox, but this is a deconstructed version of the popular breakfast meal.

This smoked salmon salad brings a fun new twist to this combination of flavors, and the recipe even features a cream cheese dressing that works perfectly. 

Hunks of bagel croutons appear in this salad, so you get every aspect of the bagel and lox experience. 

For this recipe, everything bagel seasoning will be your best friend, and if you don’t already own it, get ready to join its cult-like following.

5. Cold Salmon Salad

You’re familiar with tuna salad and chicken salad, but what about salmon salad?

This recipe is a great canned salmon salad and only takes a few ingredients to come together.

The final product is a flavorful and creamy salad you can eat on toast or with some crackers. 

Save this recipe for the next time you find a random can of tuna in your cabinet or are craving salmon but don’t have anything fresh.

6. Orange- Balsamic Salmon Salad

This can be a grilled salmon salad, or you can cook the fish in the oven to create this delicious savory and citrus salad.

Orange and balsamic and a wonderful pairing that highlights the sweetness and acidity in each ingredient.

The rich but gentle flavor of the fish is enhanced by the delicate citrus flavor and beefed up by the salty balsamic flavoring.

Add some almonds and onions for added crunch and a delicious nuttiness that makes the fish stand out even more as the center of the salad. 

7. Mexican Salmon Salad

This recipe is like the best fish taco you’ve ever had but in a bowl.

You get all of the classic Mexican ingredients you love, including ​​romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumber, fresh corn, red onion, fresh cilantro, and queso fresco. 

Not only is this an explosion of taste, but it is visually a stunning dish bursting with color.

All of these fresh and delicious ingredients make this grilled salmon salad a dream drizzled in an avocado Greek yogurt dressing that is the most enchanting shade of green.

8. Caesar Salmon Salad

Caesar is a classic and beloved salad that uses romaine or iceberg lettuce, or a mix of the two, along with parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, and a creamy Caesar dressing.

Some people like to add some salty, slimy anchovies on top of their Caesar salad, but we prefer to swap out that tiny fish for a juicy hunk of salmon.

You can be authentic and toast your own croutons, shave your own parmesan, make your own dressing, and grill a salmon to perfection, resulting in a beautiful and yummy salmon salad.

However, if this is too much work for you, all of these ingredients can be simplified, so you can use bagged croutons, parmesan from a jar, and salmon from a can!

9. Spicy Salmon Salad

If you’re looking for salmon salad ideas with some heat, make this spicy Asian salmon salad that brings the spice in full force. 

Don’t make another lame chicken Cobb, when you can spice things up with this unique salmon salad.

10. Summer Salsa Salmon Salad

Salmon is the perfect protein for your summer salads, and this is the ideal summer salad. 

Corn is a sweet vegetable that goes well with fish because they are both delicate flavors, and this salad is heightened by the acidity in the tomatoes.

For this recipe, you can char, grill, bake, or pan-sear the salmon, or any cooking method will work for this.

11. Raspberry Salmon Salad

Fruit and salmon pair better together than many people might think.

The rich fish flavor lightens with the sweetness and juiciness of the fruit, and in particular, raspberries bring a vibrance to salmon dishes.

This recipe works with spinach, or you can make it an arugula salmon salad to add a hint of pepper to the overall taste.

12. Strawberry Salmon Salad

If you want an arugula salmon salad bursting with juicy flavor, make this strawberry and arugula salmon salad that combines the rich salmon flavor with the bright strawberries. 

The salad dressing is a simple mix of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, making this one of the easiest salmon salad recipes to make.

We recommend using arugula with this recipe as the peppery flavor brings out the sweet vibrancy in the strawberries.

13. Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad

If you want a smoked salmon salad, ditch the leafy greens and instead make a hearty but light pasta salad filled with flavor.

While pasta salads allow for a lot of flexibility in choosing ingredients, from the pasta shape to the dressing to the veggies involved, but we highly recommend giving this exact recipe a try.

The dainty orzo pasta elevates the salad to an elegant and creamy dish flavored with dijon, lemon, and dill.

14. Salmon, Rice, And Kale Salad

Once upon a time, The Cheesecake Factory served a Wild Rice and Kale Salad very similar to this one, but ours features a piece of fresh salmon with a salad. 

This recipe uses Basmati rice, but you can switch up the grain in this recipe and opt for a pilaf or couscous to get the exact texture you enjoy.

Something about salmon and rice together is so satisfying; the flaky, tender texture of the fish perfectly picks up the small grains, so you get everything in every bite.

15. Smoked Salmon Yukon Potato Salad

If you’re looking for a smoked salmon salad but don’t want something that might leave you hungry, make this rich and tasty smoked salmon potato salad. 

The recipe uses Yukon gold potatoes, a soft potato variety that won’t be too firm when eaten with flaky salmon.

A smoked salmon salad is unique because the silky, chewy texture of the smoked salmon brings the entire salad to a more sophisticated level.

16. Ginger-Soy Asian Salmon Salad

Many people default to Asian flavors when they cook with fish because it’s practically guaranteed to be scrumptious. 

This Asian salmon salad recipe uses a sweet and sticky marinade to coat the salmon that perfectly combines the rich fish flavor with a decadent sweet sauce.

The recipe features simple salad ingredients like shredded carrots, chopped onions, and leafy greens, but you can be creative and add some of your favorite ingredients like roasted peanuts or sliced avocado.

17. Heirloom Tomato Salmon Salad

If you have never made an heirloom tomato salad, it’s time to hop on the bandwagon.

Heirloom tomatoes have a distinct juicy taste that has a deeper, earthy flavor than Roma or beefsteak tomatoes. 

The tomatoes add a unique twist on a familiar flavor, and the salmon adds a vessel for the tomatoes’ acidity. 

This grilled salmon salad also works with smoked salmon if you don’t have fresh salmon available.

The bottom line

In conclusion, salmon is an incredible protein to elevate a salad. 

Salmon salad recipes are so flexible, as shown by this diverse list, so this is only the beginning. 

Try out these amazing salmon salad ideas to liven up your diet and wow your guests. 

And the next time you’re putting together a tasty salad, consider incorporating this delicious protein and let our list of salmon salads inspire you to try new and bold flavor combinations.