Need something healthy in under 20 minutes? I got it! This Balsamic Salmon Salad will leave you feeling full and satisfied while providing you vitamins, nutrients, protein and dietary fiber!
The Essentials
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this balsamic salmon salad! A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Salmon fillets – I love the health benefits that salmon provides. It’s packed full of omega 3 and polyunsaturated fats – which can help lower your cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – Just a simple blend of salt and pepper is all we need to season these salmon filets.
- Red onion – When we cook the red onion in the balsamic vinegar, it almost pickles them, leaving us with a tender, delicious addition to our salad.
- Cherry tomatoes – I like using cherry tomatoes because they hold they structure and shape when cooked down. Make sure they are cut in half.
- Balsamic vinegar – Because this is the main flavor of the dish, I like to make sure I’m using a good quality balsamic vinegar.
- Greens – I used spinach as the base of my salad, but you can use any lettuce you prefer! Romaine lettuce would also be another great option.
- Herbed goat cheese – This is optional, but I love the flavor it adds to the salad. Check the section below for other cheese options.
How to Whip This Up
Making this balsamic salmon salad might be easier than you think! Just follow these simple steps.
- Season salmon. Season salmon fillets with fine sea salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cook onions, balsamic and tomatoes. Coat a medium skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium. Add onions. Cook until soft and opaque. Add balsamic vinegar and tomatoes. Continue to cook until balsamic starts to reduce and tomato skins start to loosen. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook salmon. Heat a large frying pan or skillet over high heat. When hot, coat with cooking spray. Place salmon fillets, seasoned side down, into the hot skillet. Cover and cook. Turn and repeat on the other side. Times may vary depending on thickness of the fillet. It should flake when done.
- Add salmon to salad and top with cheese. Remove from skillet and top with balsamic onions and tomatoes. Serve with herbed chevre bread or just crumbled chevre or goat cheese over the salad, if desired. Enjoy!
5S Philosophy 👩🏻
- Salt – I like to use a pinch fine sea salt to season this salmon. However, I would do a taste test before adding more than the recipe calls for.
- Seasonings – The salmon fillets are seasoned with salt and pepper and baked to perfection. Some like to use Dijon mustard and other seasonings in the dressing, so feel free to add if you’d like. Fresh herbs like fresh dill, fresh parsley or oregano would also be delicious for fresh flavors.
- Sauces – If desired, you can drizzle a really good olive oil over the salad. You can also skip this dressing and use a balsamic glaze, if you choose. A lemon vinaigrette, fresh lemon juice or a greek yogurt salad dressing would all be great options.
- Swaps – Try swapping the salmon for another protein like grilled chicken or even steak. Not a fan of goat cheese? Any cheese will do! I like feta cheese personally. Try adding other veggies for more flavor. Avocados, bell peppers, chopped celery or cucumbers would be great.
- Senses – Tender, flaky salmon, caramelized with a rich balsamic glaze, rests atop a bed of crisp, vibrant greens. The sweet tang of balsamic vinegar mingles with the smoky, buttery salmon, while juicy cherry tomatoes add bursts of freshness.
Perfect Pairings
This balsamic salmon salad is a meal all on it’s own, but you can certainly serve with other things too. Pair it with warm pita bread or a simple hummus dip.
You can also serve this delicious salad as a side dish without the salmon alongside chicken dishes, lamb, or a light white fish like parmesan crusted tilapia or cod for a complete dinner.
Instead of making a salad, you could add this salmon to sandwiches or even a lettuce wrap to mix things up.
Storage and Freezing
How to Store
Store any leftover salad and salmon in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The salad will stay fresh for up to two days but reheat the salmon briefly in a pan to warm it up again.
Can Freeze This Salmon Salad?
Freezing isn’t recommended since the fresh greens may lose their texture after thawing. You can freeze the salmon separately in an airtight container.
More Delicious Salad Recipes
There’s nothing I love more than a fresh and delicious salad- especially during the warmer months! Here are some of our favorite salad recipes.
Balsamic Salmon Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 red onion , thinly sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- Cooking Spray
- 2 ounces herbed goat cheese , optional
Instructions
- Season salmon fillets with fine sea salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Coat a medium skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium. Add onions. Cook until soft and opaque, approximately 5-7 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar and tomatoes. Continue to cook for 3-5 minutes or until balsamic starts to reduce and tomato skins start to loosen. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat a large frying pan or skillet over high heat. When hot, coat with cooking spray. Place salmon fillets, seasoned side down, into the hot skillet. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes. Turn and repeat on the other side. Times may vary depending on thickness of the fillet.
- Remove from skillet and top with balsamic onions and tomatoes. Serve with herbed chevre bread or just crumbled chevre or goat cheese over the salad, if desired. Enjoy!
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Nutrition
I love using salmon in salads and this recipe is one of our new favorites! Yum. We will definitely be making this one again!
I am a huge fan of balsamic anything! It adds such a great kick of flavor to this salmon!