Smoked Salmon Salad

When you’re craving smoked salmon and tired of old fashioned smoked salmon recipes, try this delicious Smoked Salmon Salad. It packs plenty of flavors and textures, a dash of fancy and gourmet, and lots of deliciousness!

I’m super excited to share this smoked salmon salad with you. It brings back lots of memories and stories from when I was engaged. See I wasn’t ever a blue cheese dressing person, and even more, I wasn’t a hard boiled egg in a salad person either!

Now I’m all for Blue Cheese Dressing, Smoked Salmon Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Dip and our viral Smoked Salmon Platter!

What is a Smoked Salmon Salad

Smoked salmon salad is one of the most powerful examples of balanced, high protein, flavor layered dishes. It combines rich, silky fish with crisp greens, creamy elements, and sharp dressing contrasts. Smoked salmon salad is a composed salad built around:

• Smoked salmon as the primary protein
• Fresh greens as the base
• Complementary salad ingredients like eggs, avocado, and vegetables
• A bold dressing to unify flavors

Key characteristics:

• High protein and nutrient dense
• Layered textures (creamy, crisp, silky)
• Balanced richness and acidity

Why You’ll LOVE Smoked Salmon Salad

• It feels like a smoked salmon appetizer, only eaten in a bowl. So it could be the best way to start any meal, or a meal on its own.
• If you’re making this for a party, it’s best to serve it on a flat platter and arrange ingredients in a way that each can mix and match their own. I think this would probably be my favorite smoked salmon appetizer!
• Super hearty and filling.
• The blue cheese dressing. I have to mention that my hubby used to devour blue cheese while I cringed. I started to force myself into it and this dressing was how it all began!  You’ve probably had blue cheese salad dressings loaded with mayo and oil. This is NOTHING like that!
• Croutons, because we can’t have salad with croutons. These are Pumpernickel Rye croutons. The absolutely best bread to pair with smoked salmon.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Smoked salmon

Cold smoked salmon has a silky, delicate texture so it’s great for salads. It’s rich in omega-3 and carries on any dressing and salad ingredient beautifully.

Greens

Use tender, fresh leaves like baby spinach, arugula, kale, mixed greens and herbs. Our favorite is fresh dill.

Salad Ingredients

Avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes and you can add celery, green onions and your salad favorites. Make sure you don’t add mushy veggies.

Eggs

Cooked to firm or jammy yolk depending on preference. While optional, eggs make this a complete meal or a healthy lunch

Blue cheese 

Choose creamy, high quality varieties for the dressing. You can likewise use feta cheese crumbles, it adds a beautiful tang contrast.

Make Blue Cheese Dressing

There’s a whole article on making blue cheese dressing from scratch, and it was based on popular demand. So go ahead and read it, check the expert tips and everything you need to know.

This is a brief how to below and it’s how we ALL love to make it! A creamy dreamy, garlicky dressing with a hint of blue cheese. The beauty of this dressing is the hint of blue cheese is totally optional to be faint or strong. Start off with faint and go all the way up!

Most dressings start with mayonnaise, however this starts with sour cream. It’s creamier and lighter in taste/feel. Low fat sour cream or Greek yogurt similarly work great here for a low fat option.

The rest of the ingredients are: dijon mustard (optional for a kick), garlic, salt, pepper, a dash of hot sauce (optional) and some lemon juice. Honey is also optional for a sweetness balance. Once you get all of these mixed up, it’s time for the blue cheese crumbles.

Finally, mix all of that together in a small bowl and it’s ready to use! Make plenty of this blue cheese dressing because it keeps well in the fridge. And I can assure you, you’ll need it!

Some ways to use a blue cheese dressing other than salads are: spread it over your sandwiches, use it as a blue cheese dip, top it over grilled steak, chicken and more!

How to Make Smoked Salmon Salad 

First of all, start with your choice of greens or mixed greens. Today I chose spinach and a touch of arugula. Any type of green or lettuce works great here.

First tip is to toss your greens with a tablespoon of blue cheese dressing before adding the rest of your ingredients. This adds so much flavor so PLEASE don’t skimp!

Now add your salad ingredients over the dressed up greens. The sky’s your limit. I added cherry tomatoes, sliced avocados, hard boiled eggs, sliced red onions and my cold smoked salmon. I love curling/rolling the smoked salmon to look like roses.

Finish off the salad with a drizzle here and there of the blue cheese dressing, some more blue cheese crumbles and sweet pomegranate arils. The pomegranate just add a touch of sweet and color to your smoked salmon salad.

Croutons: This is the crunch factor! Cut your pumpernickel slices into squares and each square into two triangles. Bruch the top with extra virgin olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle a dash of salt, then toast the croutons on a baking sheet for 8 minutes.

Expert Tips To Perfect Smoked Salmon Salad

1. Use cold smoked salmon for tastiest salad.
2. You can try this salad with tuna or smoked trout as well.
3. Make your Blue cheese dressing ahead of time.
4. Pick your ingredients and chop, slice and prep ahead of time.
5. Dry greens completely to avoid watery salad
6. Dress the greens separately as the base of your salad and then drizzle dressing over the other ingredients without tossing.
7. Croutons are optional and you can swap the type of bread.
8. Slice onions thin to avoid overpowering flavor
9. Use room temperature ingredients for best taste
10. Tear salmon gently, don’t chop
11. Smoked Salmon salad can be prepared 2 days in advance and left overs make a great sandwich, bagel or lunch the next day! It’s one of my favorite smoked salmon recipes!
12. Keep some blue cheese chunks for texture
13. For the dressing, adjust thickness depending on salad style and always let the dressing rest before using.
14. Turn this into a Smoked Salmon Sandwich the next day!

Smoked Salmon Salad Variations 

• Mediterranean Smoked Salmon Salad: Add olives and cucumbers and use an olive oil based dressing
• Low Carb or Keto Version: Focus on salmon, eggs, avocado
• Protein Packed Salad: Add extra eggs or added legumes
• Smoked Salmon Niçoise Style: Add potatoes and green beans
• Best for lunch: balanced portion
• To Serve for dinner: add more protein and sides
• Tip for meal prep: keep dressing separate
• Best for entertaining: plate as a composed salad with ingredients separated like a charcuterie.

Smoked Salmon Salad vs Grilled Salmon Salad

• Smoked is richer, more intense flavor and idea for meal prep.
• Grilled is lighter, fresher but doesn’t store as well in the fridge

Blue Cheese Dressing vs Vinaigrette

• Blue cheese dressing offers a creamy, bold profile.
• Vinaigrette is lighter, brighter

Why is The Salad watery

Greens were not dried properly

What if it’s Too heavy

You used too much dressing or extra avocado

Why Is the Flavor Overpowering 

When you use too much onion or blue cheese, you will overwhelm the salad.

Smoked Salmon Recipes

Easy Smoked Salmon Platter this is a no brainer spread for last minute brunch/breakfast! That same spread makes the best Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bagel. Another MUST try combo for blue cheese and salmon is ultimately this Seared Salmon with Blue Cheese.

Is smoked salmon salad healthy?

Yes, it’s high in protein and healthy fats.

Can I use hot smoked salmon?

Yes, but texture will be firmer.

What dressing goes best with smoked salmon?

Creamy or acidic dressings like blue cheese or lemon vinaigrette.

Can I make this salad ahead or for meal prep?

Yes, but keep dressing separate.

What greens work best?

Tender greens like arugula, baby spinach or mixed greens.

Salmon Recipes

• Salmon Salad With Sweet Dill Dressing
• Salmon Burgers
• Blood Orange Salmon Salad
• Salmon Carpaccio
• Miso Salmon
• Salmon Bowl
• Maple Glazed Salmon
• Sweet Chili Salmon
• Air Fryer Salmon Bites
• Salmon Asparagus Sweet Potato Nicoise
• Honey Glazed Salmon
• Garlic Orange Seared Salmon

5 from 11 votes

Print

Smoked Salmon Salad

When you're craving smoked salmon and tired of old fashioned smoked salmon recipes, try this delicious Smoked Salmon Salad With Blue Cheese Dressing. It packs plenty of flavors and textures, a dash of fancy and gourmet, and lots of deliciousness!

Course Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine American, French

Keyword Blue Cheese Dressing, HOW TO MAKE SMOKED SALMON SALAD, Smoked Salmon Recipes, Smoked Salmon Salad

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 413 kcal

Author Mahy

Ingredients

Smoked Salmon Salad

• 4 cups spinach or any mixed greens, lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes any type
• 2 avocados sliced
• 1/2 cup red onions sliced
• 3 hard boiled eggs sliced or halved or quartered
• 5 ounces smoked salmon thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup pomegrante arils

Blue Cheese Dressing

• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/2 cup Sour cream low fat or full fat
• 1 teaspooon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons hot suace optional
• 1/8 teaspoon salt Kosher
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 Tablespoons Blue Cheese crumbled up to 2 Tablespoons

Pumpernickel Croutons

• 4 slices Pumpernickel bread cut up into squares and each square into two triangles
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt kosher

Extra

• 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbled

Instructions

For the Blue Cheese Dressing:

1. Mix all ingredients together without the blue cheese and adjust seasoning if you prefer. Then add in the blue cheese and smash it in while mixing it. 

For the Salad

1. Prepare all ingredients and start by adding the greens at the bottom. Toss the greens with a tablespoon if the dressing for maximum flavor and then start piling up the rest.

   Fold over your smoked salmon to look like roses and start arranging them over the greens and surround them by all ingredients.

   Drizzle an extra 1-2 Tablespoons of the blue cheese dressing over the salad and sprinkle extra crumbled blue cheese if you like.

Pumpernickel Croutons

1. preheat your oven to 375 F. Cut your pumpernickel slices and season it. Drizzle the oil over it and spread them on a single layer and toast for 8 minutes. 

   Serve with the salad

Recipe Notes

Expert Tips To Perfect Smoked Salmon Salad

1. Use cold smoked salmon for tastiest salad.
2. You can try this salad with tuna or smoked trout as well. 
3. Make your Blue cheese dressing ahead of time.
4. Pick your ingredients and chop, slice and prep ahead of time.
5. Dry greens completely to avoid watery salad
6. Dress the greens separately as the base of your salad and then drizzle dressing over the other ingredients without tossing.
7. Croutons are optional and you can swap the type of bread.
8. Slice onions thin to avoid overpowering flavor
9. Use room temperature ingredients for best taste
10. Tear salmon gently, don’t chop
11. Smoked Salmon salad can be prepared 2 days in advance and left overs make a great sandwich, bagel or lunch the next day! It's one of my favorite smoked salmon recipes!
12. Keep some blue cheese chunks for texture
13. For the dressing, adjust thickness depending on salad style and always let the dressing rest before using.
14. Turn this into a Smoked Salmon Sandwich the next day!

Smoked Salmon Salad Variations 

• Mediterranean Smoked Salmon Salad: Add olives and cucumbers and use an olive oil based dressing
• Low Carb or Keto Version: Focus on salmon, eggs, avocado
• Protein Packed Salad: Add extra eggs or added legumes
• Smoked Salmon Niçoise Style: Add potatoes and green beans
• Best for lunch: balanced portion
• To Serve for dinner: add more protein and sides
• Tip for meal prep: keep dressing separate
• Best for entertaining: plate as a composed salad with ingredients separated like a charcuterie.

Smoked Salmon Salad vs Grilled Salmon Salad

• Smoked is richer, more intense flavor and idea for meal prep.
• Grilled is lighter, fresher but doesn't store as well in the fridge 

Blue Cheese Dressing vs Vinaigrette

• Blue cheese dressing offers a creamy, bold profile.
• Vinaigrette is lighter, brighter

Why is The Salad watery

Greens were not dried properly

What if it's Too heavy

You used too much dressing or extra avocado

Why Is the Flavor Overpowering 

When you use too much onion or blue cheese, you will overwhelm the salad.

Smoked Salmon Recipes

Easy Smoked Salmon Platter this is a no brainer spread for last minute brunch/breakfast! That same spread makes the best Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bagel. Another MUST try combo for blue cheese and salmon is ultimately this Seared Salmon with Blue Cheese.

 

Is smoked salmon salad healthy?

Yes, it’s high in protein and healthy fats.

Can I use hot smoked salmon?

Yes, but texture will be firmer.

What dressing goes best with smoked salmon?

Creamy or acidic dressings like blue cheese or lemon vinaigrette.

Can I make this salad ahead or for meal prep?

Yes, but keep dressing separate.

What greens work best?

Tender greens like arugula, baby spinach or mixed greens.

Nutrition Facts

Smoked Salmon Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 413 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 7g44%

Cholesterol 162mg54%

Sodium 683mg30%

Potassium 969mg28%

Carbohydrates 27g9%

Fiber 9g38%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 17g34%

Vitamin A 3545IU71%

Vitamin C 29mg35%

Calcium 126mg13%

Iron 3.3mg18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Blue Cheese Dressing Smoked Salmon Sandwich Wedge Salad Smoked Salmon Dip