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Flaky Salmon Salad

Flaky salmon salad with a bright lemon vinaigrette: seared salmon is flaked into large pieces and piled over crisp mixed greens. Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion finish the platter for a fresh, protein-forward meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 470
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salmon
  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 0.375 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper divided
Salad
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for searing
  • 6 cup mixed greens
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cucumber sliced
  • 0.25 cup red onion thinly sliced
Lemon vinaigrette
  • 3 tbsp olive oil for dressing
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 0.375 tsp kosher salt remaining, for dressing
  • 0.125 tsp black pepper remaining, for dressing

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Season and sear the salmon
  1. Season the salmon fillets with half the kosher salt and half the black pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and sear the salmon for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and flaky.
  3. Let the salmon cool slightly, then flake it into large pieces.
Make the lemon vinaigrette
  1. Whisk together the dressing olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, and the remaining kosher salt and black pepper until smooth.
Assemble and serve
  1. Arrange the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion on a platter.
  2. Top with the flaked salmon.
  3. Drizzle with the lemon vinaigrette and serve immediately with visible shine from the dressing.

Notes

For best texture, flake the salmon while it’s still warm so it holds together in large, juicy pieces; cool completely only if you plan to assemble later. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but keep dressing separate if possible. Freezing is not recommended because the greens can soften. For a dairy-free option, this recipe already is dairy-free—choose a honey alternative only if needed for your preference.