Smoked Salmon Salad
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:
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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
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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
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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
- Use cold smoked salmon for tastiest salad.
- You can try this salad with tuna or smoked trout as well.
- Make your Blue cheese dressing ahead of time.
- Pick your ingredients and chop, slice and prep ahead of time.
- Dry greens completely to avoid watery salad
- Dress the greens separately as the base of your salad and then drizzle dressing over the other ingredients without tossing.
- Croutons are optional and you can swap the type of bread.
- Slice onions thin to avoid overpowering flavor
- Use room temperature ingredients for best taste
- Tear salmon gently, don’t chop
- 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!
- Keep some blue cheese chunks for texture
- For the dressing, adjust thickness depending on salad style and always let the dressing rest before using.
- 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.