Smoked salmon salad is a fresh, filling salad made with mixed greens, microgreens, smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, red onion, capers, dill, and crumbled goat cheese or feta. It's bright, flavorful, and perfect when you want something light that still feels satisfying.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Smoked Salmon Salad
🕒 Ready In: ~15 minutes
👪 Serves: 4
🍽 Calories: ~420 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Mixed greens, microgreens, smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, capers, dill, citrus vinaigrette
📖 Dietary Info: Gluten-free, low carb
👌 Difficulty: Easy, no-cook salad
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The salty smoked salmon and capers pair perfectly with creamy avocado and fresh herbs, and the citrus vinaigrette ties everything together with a zesty finish. It's a great option for quick lunches, easy dinners, or a simple brunch salad.
Serve it with more fresh favorites like Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad, Greek Shrimp Salad, Asian Cucumber Noodle Salad, or Walnut Pear Salad.
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Why You'll Love This Smoked Salmon Salad:
Fresh and Satisfying: Smoked salmon and avocado make it filling, while the greens keep it light and crisp.
Bold Flavor in Every Bite: Capers, red onion, and dill add the perfect salty, herby bite that pairs so well with salmon.
Quick and No-Cook: Everything is assembled in minutes, making it perfect for easy lunches or busy weeknights.
Perfect with Citrus Vinaigrette: The zesty dressing balances the rich salmon and creamy avocado without overpowering the salad.
Key Ingredients:
- mixed greens. A blend of arugula, spinach, or spring mix provides a fresh, peppery base. Use your favorite combination or whatever is on hand.
- smoked salmon. Choose high-quality cold-smoked salmon for the best flavor and texture. You can also use hot-smoked salmon for a flakier option.
- capers. Provide a salty, briny punch that complements the salmon perfectly.
- fresh dill. A classic pairing with smoked salmon, use fresh for the best flavor, but dried can be used in a pinch.
- goat cheese or feta. Adds a creamy, tangy element, skip it for a dairy-free version.
- citrus vinaigrette. A bright, zesty dressing that ties everything together-use homemade citrus vinaigrette or store-bought.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Cheese swap: Use feta for a salty bite or goat cheese for a creamier texture. You can also leave the cheese out if needed.
- No microgreens: Add extra mixed greens or use baby arugula for a peppery flavor.
- Avocado swap: Use sliced hard boiled eggs for a creamy, filling option if you do not have avocado.
- Add crunch: Toss in sliced radishes or a handful of toasted almonds for extra texture.
- Dressing option: If you want a slightly sweeter dressing, add a small drizzle of honey to the citrus vinaigrette.
How to Make Smoked Salmon Salad:
- In a large bowl or on a serving platter, layer the mixed greens and microgreens as the base.
- Arrange the smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, red onion, capers, dill, and goat cheese over the greens.
- Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette just before serving. Toss gently if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Use good smoked salmon: Since this is a no-cook salad, the flavor depends on the salmon. Choose one you love and slice it into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
- Add dressing right before serving: Greens can wilt quickly once dressed, so drizzle the citrus vinaigrette just before serving.
- Slice the onion thin: Thin slices keep the onion flavor balanced and prevent it from overpowering the salad.
- Adjust the salt last: Smoked salmon and capers are naturally salty, so taste before adding any extra salt.
- Make it meal prep friendly: Prep the veggies and herbs ahead, then add salmon, avocado, and dressing right before eating.
How to Store:
Best Fresh: This salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembling, as the greens and micro-greens can wilt once dressed.
Store Undressed: If prepping ahead, store the salad components undressed in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Keep the citrus vinaigrette separate until ready to serve.
Smoked Salmon Storage: Store any unused smoked salmon in its original packaging or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days after opening.
Avoid Freezing: This salad does not freeze well due to the delicate greens and fresh ingredients.
Smoked Salmon Salad FAQs:
Smoked salmon salad pairs well with creamy ingredients like avocado or goat cheese, crisp veggies like cucumber, and briny add-ins like capers and red onion. Fresh herbs such as dill also bring a classic flavor that works especially well with smoked salmon.
A bright dressing like citrus vinaigrette is one of the best options for smoked salmon salad because it balances the rich salmon and creamy avocado. A lemon Dijon style dressing also works well if you like a tangy finish.
Yes, you can meal prep smoked salmon salad by prepping the greens and vegetables in advance and storing them separately. Add the smoked salmon, avocado, and dressing right before serving so the salad stays fresh and does not get soggy.
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Smoked Salmon Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup microgreens
- 8 ounces smoked salmon, sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 cup goat cheese or feta, crumbled
- ½ cup citrus vinaigrette
Instructions
- In a large bowl or on a serving platter, layer the mixed greens and microgreens as the base.
- Arrange the smoked salmon, avocado, cucumber, red onion, capers, dill, and goat cheese over the greens.
- Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette just before serving. Toss gently if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Use good smoked salmon: Since this is a no-cook salad, the flavor depends on the salmon. Choose one you love and slice it into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
- Add dressing right before serving: Greens can wilt quickly once dressed, so drizzle the citrus vinaigrette just before serving.
- Slice the onion thin: Thin slices keep the onion flavor balanced and prevent it from overpowering the salad.
- Adjust the salt last: Smoked salmon and capers are naturally salty, so taste before adding any extra salt.
- Make it meal prep friendly: Prep the veggies and herbs ahead, then add salmon, avocado, and dressing right before eating.
Yvonne says
Great! Quick to prepare when you don’t feel like cooking. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa says
I would like to try this, but a couple of things, I saw this on a healthy, no-cook dinner list, but it doesn't explain where/how to get the smoked salmon. Is that canned? Frozen? And are the noodles soft?
Roche Woodworth says
Hi Lisa! We used fresh smoked salmon and the noodles are just raw spiraled cucumber, so they are slightly crunchy 🙂