Salmon Caesar Salad is a delicious twist on the classic Caesar salad. This recipe combines crisp romaine lettuce, creamy homemade Caesar dressing, rich avocado, and perfectly cooked salmon. Top it off with homemade sourdough croutons for thee perfect crunch.
Do you love salmon recipes? Try herb crusted salmon, blackened salmon, or air fryer salmon bites.
Adding salmon to a meal is my favorite way to add protein, healthy fats, and flavor to a meal. Salmon cooks quickly in 15 minutes or less, making it a great recipe for a quick lunch or easy weeknight meal.
We love this simple pan-seared salmon, but next time I'm going to put this blackened salmon on top.
Just like in this Caesar pasta salad with chicken, the homemade Caesar salad dressing is easy, delicious, and worth it to make your own.
I've used store-bought dressing in the past, and it definitely works to save time, but this is the best Caesar dressing (and it's made with basic pantry ingredients!).
Why Salmon Caesar Salad is a Great Choice
- Nutritional Powerhouse: Salmon is known for its high omega-3 fatty acid content, which promotes heart health and reduces inflammation. Combined with the vitamins and minerals found in romaine lettuce, and the fiber in the avocado, this salad is a nutritious and well-rounded meal option.
- Versatile and Flavorful: Combining the flakey salmon with the tangy Caesar dressing and crisp lettuce creates a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe can be whipped up in no time, making it perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a refreshing lunch option. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, it's an accessible dish for any home cook.
Looking for more protein-packed salads? Try this crispy chicken salad (gluten-free), chicken Caesar pasta salad, or salmon arugula salad.
Ingredients You Need
Here are the simple ingredients for this salmon Caesar salad. Most are pantry staples and easy (and affordable) to find in grocery stores. Jump down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients with exact measurements.
Salmon Caesar Salad
- Romaine Lettuce: Romaine lettuce is a crisp and refreshing leafy green vegetable. It serves as the base of the salad, providing a fresh and crunchy texture. Romaine lettuce is rich in vitamins A, C, and K and fiber.
- Salmon: this flavorful fish is known for its rich omega-3 fatty acids. It offers a host of health benefits, including promoting heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting brain function. Each salmon filet should be roughly 4-5 ounces. We love the Wild-Caught Alaskan salmon from Sitka Salmon Shares. You can also use an Atlantic salmon you find in most grocery stores.
- Avocado: Avocado adds a creamy and buttery element to the Salmon Caesar Salad. It is packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals. Avocado is high in fat and fiber, rounding out the recipe to balance blood sugar and keep you full.
- Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese is a hard, aged cheese with a distinct nutty flavor. Omit this if you're looking for a dairy-free Caesar salad option.
- Sourdough Croutons: These add a rustic, crunchy element to the salad. Toss them with olive oil garlic (or garlic powder), and salt for the perfect bite.
Want to add blackening seasoning to your salmon? Follow this recipe for blackened salmon and add it to the salad.
Homemade Dressing
Although similar to this homemade Caesar dressing, this version uses mayo has a shortcut.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise serves as the base of the Caesar dressing, providing a rich and creamy texture. It adds a smooth consistency and helps bind the other ingredients together.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese adds a savory and salty taste to the dressing. It contributes a distinct umami flavor that enhances the overall profile of the dressing. You can use nutritional yeast as a dairy-free alternative.
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard adds a tangy and slightly spicy element to the dressing. It helps balance the flavors and provides a subtle kick.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic or minced garlic cloves bring a pungent and aromatic taste to the dressing. Garlic adds depth of flavor and enhances the overall savory profile.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a refreshing and tangy taste to the dressing. It adds a bright and citrusy note, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to create a smooth and pourable consistency in the dressing. It contributes a subtle fruity flavor and adds richness to the overall taste.
- Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning the dressing. They help bring out the flavors of the other ingredients and ensure a well-balanced taste.
- Milk: any type of milk helps thin it out to a dressing consistency.
- Worcestershire: for a savory and salty balance. You can use coconut aminos as well.
How to Make Salmon Caesar Salad
The full printable recipe is below, but let’s walk through the steps with some photos and a video so you have a clear idea of what to expect. This Salmon Caesar Salad is really easy and these step-by-step instructions will make sure they turn out every time.
Video: Watch How to Make Caesar Salad with Salmon
Make the homemade croutons: Toss the cubed sourdough in olive oil, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste on a large-rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through, until it's crispy and slightly golden brown.
Make the dressing: Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside or store in the refrigerator.
Sear the salmon: Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Sear in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches just below 140°F to allow for a few degrees of carryover cooking. The target temperature is 145.
Note: see the recipe notes below for a grilled salmon Caesar salad. Or learn how long to bake salmon at 400.
Assemble the salad: toss the lettuce in half the dressing in a large bowl then top it with the crunchy croutons, avocado, parmesan cheese, and salmon. Drizzle more dressing on top and garnish with fresh parsley and freshly cracked black pepper.
4 Ways to Cook the Salmon
Here are a few variations on how to cook the salmon depending on your preference. All of the below cook times are approximations and will vary depending on the size of your salmon filets.
Always use a meat thermometer to determine when it's done. Pull salmon off the heat at 140°F to allow for 5 degrees of carryover cooking while it rests (target temp is 145).
- Pan-Seared salmon: this is the cooking method for this recipe. It results in crispy skin and a gorgeous golden brown coloring. Sear skin side first over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also make blackened salmon.
- Air fryer: preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the salmon dry and season it then air fry at 400 for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Baked salmon: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400 degrees f. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
- Grilled Salmon: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (400-450). Grill for 8-10 minutes with the skin side first.
Recipe Shortcuts
- Purchase pre-washed romaine, or even pre-washed and chopped. This saves a lot of time washing and drying the greens.
- Make the croutons up to 4 days in advance or purchase store-bought croutons.
- Mix together the dressing up to 5 days in advance or use store-bought Caesar dressing. We like Primal Kitchen for a cleaner option.
Dietary Modifications
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free bread for the homemade croutons, purchase gluten-free store-bought croutons, or make crispy chickpeas
- Dairy-free: use nutritional yeast in the homemade Caesar salad dressing and omit the parmesan from the salad itself.
- Low-carb: swap the croutons for crispy chickpeas or omit them altogether.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
I don't recommend storing leftover Caesar salad for more than a few hours, especially if it already has the dressing. Store the salad ingredients separately in an airtight container for up to 2 days and mix and serve as needed.
This is a great meal prep option because you can make the salmon, dressing, and croutons in advance. Add the ingredients together in a meal prep container and drizzle with dressing before serving. The salmon is great served warm or cold.
More Easy Salmon Recipes
Love salmon and rice together? You will drool over these air fryer salmon bites, salmon rice bowls, or easy teriyaki glazed salmon.
And if you need more greens, try almond crusted salmon or salmon arugula salad.
Our favorite restaurant-quality salmon is herb grilled salmon, blackened salmon, or salmon pesto pasta.
If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. You can also tag me on Instagram so I can see it!
Salmon Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Salmon Caesar Salad
- 2 cups torn sourdough bread
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 (4-ounce) salmon filets
- 8 cups shredded romaine
- ½ cup shredded parmesan (Note 2)
- 1-2 avocados sliced
Caesar Dressing (Note 3)
- ½ cup mayo we like Primal Kitchen
- 2-3 Tablespoons of milk any kind
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (about ½ lemon)
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
Recommended Equipment
- Heavy-Bottom skillet (Note 1 Cooking Options)
Instructions
- Preheat then oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the cubed sourdough in olive oil, minced garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- While they’re baking, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. Add a Tablespoons more of milk at a time if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Pat the salmon dry with a paper towel and season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in the bottom of a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot and shimmering, place salmon skin-side-down in the hot skillet and sear for 4 minutes without moving. The skin should be golden and crisp. Carefully flip the salmon fillets and reduce the heat to medium. Continue to cook, 4-5 minutes, until the salmon flakes and reaches an internal temperature of about 140°F, with a target temperature of 145°F while the salmon rests.
- Remove the salmon from the heat and assemble the salad. Toss the romaine with half of the dressing, parmesan cheese, sourdough croutons, and avocado. Place the salmon on top and drizzle with the remaining dressing, more parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and fresh cracked black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Air fryer salmon: preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Pat the salmon dry and season it then air fry at 400 for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Baked salmon: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 400 degrees f. Bake for 12-14 minutes.
- Grilled salmon: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (400-450). Grill for 8-10 minutes with the skin side first.
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