This smoked salmon salad is the perfect blend of smoky flavor, juicy mandarins, crunchy cucumber and bell pepper, creamy avocado, salty capers, fresh dill and nutty pepitas all covered in a delicious maple dijon vinaigrette. It comes together in just 10 – 15 minutes in a few simple steps too! It’s the perfect salad for a light weeknight dinner or lunch.
Obsessed with smoked salmon? That pretty much sums me up too. As a born and raised Alaskan, I grew up eating salmon regularly. Now my husband fishes and stocks our freezer with salmon so I cook it at least once a week.
Yes, I know I’m blessed. As someone well versed in cooking and eating salmon, salad with smoked salmon is truly and excellent use for it. This particular recipe is easy as can be, all made in one bowl (dressing too!), and can be ready and on the table in mere minutes.
I used hot smoked salmon tossed with a variety of mix ins that are easy to source and come together so beautifully. Smoked salmon salad is all about the mash up between fresh, brine, and smokiness with a touch of that tart and sweet flavor from the delicious maple dijon vinaigrette. Plus if you double that dressing recipe, you can use the rest on another one of my epic dinner salad recipes another night. Work smarter not harder!
There’s a burst of well blended and balanced flavor and texture in each and every bite. I used my popular Traeger smoked salmon recipe but any hard smoked salmon will work in this salad. This recipe truly does not disappoint and is a must try for any salmon lover!
Ingredients
Smokey salmon and pickled capers but but paired with fresh crisp veggies, dill and other goodies. Everything you need for the salad itself is shown in the image below and the salad dressing ingredients are in the image below that. A full list is in the recipe card too.
Salad Ingredients
Salad Dressing Ingredients
How to Make Smoked Salmon Salad
This salad is easy as can be to whip together. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Prep all salad ingredients. Remove any salmon bones and break it up, separate mandarin pieces, chop veggies, etc.
- Prepare salad dressing by adding all ingredients, except oil to the bowl you plan to serve the salad in. Whisk to mix well. Drizzle in olive oil while continuing to whisk vigorously. Continue whisking for another 15-20 seconds to make sure the salad dressing is well emulsified.
- Add all of the salad ingredients to the bowl, except for salmon and avocado. If the dressing has been sitting the bowl for awhile, make sure to whisk again before adding salad ingredients.
- Gently fold in avocado and salmon. Alternatively you can dish up the salad and then place the salmon and avocado on top for a more appealing presentation.
Make Ahead Instructions
Smoked salmon salad needs to be assembled right before eating but there are a few things you can do in advance to make the salad prep easier to prepare later on. Because of this, it’s excellent for lunchtime meal prep since you can prep the night before and assemble right before eating.
Here are some tips for preparing it in advance or meal prep:
- Make the dressing up to five days in advance. Store in the refrigerator until about 15 minutes before serving.
- Break up the salmon, slice the cucumber and red pepper, and chop the dill up to 24 hours in advance.
- I do not recommend peeling the mandarins or slicing the avocado in advance. Do both right before serving for best results.
Easy Smoked Salmon Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing
Equipment
- 1 Large salad bowl
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups mixed salad greens very loosely packed (about 5 ounces)
- 2 mandarin oranges peeled and separated.
- 1 Tablespoon capers
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 cup cucumber sliced
- ½ cup thinly sliced red pepper
- 6 ounces smoked salmon broken into pieces (I prefer hard smoked but lox works too)
- ½ large avocado sliced or diced
- 2 Tablespoons Pepitas
Maple Dijon Dressing
- 1 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic about 2 medium sized cloves (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prep all salad ingredients by removing any salmon bones and breaking it into bite sized pieces. Chop dill, peel and separate mandarins, slice cucumber, red pepper, and avocado.1/2 cup cucumber, ½ cup thinly sliced red pepper, 6 ounces smoked salmon, 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- Prepare salad dressing by adding all ingredients, except oil to the bowl you plan to serve the salad in. Whisk to mix well. Drizzle in olive oil while continuing to whisk vigorously. Continue whisking for another 15-20 seconds to make sure the salad dressing is well emulsified.1 Tablespoons maple syrup, 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Add all of the salad ingredients to the bowl, except for salmon and avocado. If the dressing has been sitting the bowl for awhile, make sure to whisk again before adding salad ingredients.6 cups mixed salad greens, 2 mandarin oranges, 1 Tablespoon capers, 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill, 1/2 cup cucumber, ½ cup thinly sliced red pepper, 2 Tablespoons Pepitas
- Gently fold in avocado and salmon. Alternatively you can dish up the salad and then place the salmon and avocado on top for a more appealing presentation. Serve right away.6 ounces smoked salmon, ½ large avocado
Notes
Nutrition
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