Description
This Salmon Caesar Salad is a delicious, protein-packed twist on the classic Caesar salad. Featuring flaky, perfectly cooked salmon, crisp romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, and crunchy croutons, this dish is both nutritious and satisfying. Whether you’re making it for lunch, dinner, or meal prep, this recipe is easy to prepare and full of bold flavors.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 large romaine lettuce head, chopped
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved
- 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
For the Caesar Dressing (Homemade Option):
- ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (for a lighter version)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 anchovy fillets, mashed (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Salmon
- Season the salmon fillets with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Choose a cooking method:
- Grilled: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and cook salmon for 4–5 minutes per side.
- Pan-Seared: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook salmon skin-side down for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Baked: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place salmon on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes.
- Let the salmon rest for a few minutes, then flake it into large chunks.
Step 2: Make the Caesar Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, anchovies, and Parmesan.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking continuously until smooth.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, toss the chopped romaine with Caesar dressing until evenly coated.
- Add Parmesan cheese and croutons, tossing lightly.
- Top with flaked salmon and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Serve with lemon wedges on the side for extra freshness.
Notes
✔️ Crispy Salmon Trick: For extra crispy skin, pat the salmon dry before cooking and cook skin-side down first.
✔️ Lighter Dressing Option: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a healthier Caesar dressing.
✔️ Keto-Friendly Swap: Replace croutons with toasted almonds or Parmesan crisps.
✔️ Make Ahead Tip: Keep dressing, lettuce, and toppings separate until ready to serve for the freshest results.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg