Herb-Crusted Salmon Salad (Printable)

Warm salmon fillets with fresh herbs served on a crisp mixed green salad with tangy dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets (5 oz each)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Salad

11 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
14 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or almonds (optional)
16 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Vinaigrette

17 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice
19 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
20 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
21 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to form a herb paste.
03 - Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and spread the herb paste evenly over the tops of the fillets.
04 - Bake the salmon for 12 to 15 minutes until cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
05 - In a large bowl, toss mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, nuts, and feta cheese if using.
06 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar or lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
07 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
08 - Divide the salad onto four plates and top each with a warm herb-crusted salmon fillet. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The salmon stays impossibly moist while the herb crust turns golden and flavorful in just fifteen minutes.
  • It feels like a restaurant meal but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
  • Warm fish on cool greens is the kind of balance that makes you feel nourished and satisfied.
02 -
  • Salmon continues cooking after you pull it from the oven, so take it out when it looks just barely done—it will firm up perfectly as it rests.
  • The contrast between warm fish and cold salad is essential; if your greens are warm, the whole dish loses something crucial.
  • Don't skip the fresh herbs; dried herbs won't give you that bright, fresh crust that makes this recipe worth making.
03 -
  • Buy salmon the day you plan to cook it; fresh fish makes an enormous difference in how it tastes and cooks.
  • If your vinaigrette tastes too sharp, add a touch more honey or a splash of water to calm it down—balance is everything.
  • Set the table before you start cooking so plating is just assembly; warm salmon waits for no one.
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