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Mediterranean salmon salad

Grilled Salmon Salad Recipe

This Grilled Salmon Salad is a fresh, healthy and flavour-packed meal featuring perfectly grilled salmon served over crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, cucumber, creamy avocado, olives and feta cheese, all tossed with a zesty homemade lemon dressing. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a delicious high-protein recipe that's perfect for lunch, dinner or meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6 People
Calories 470 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Outdoor Grill or Grill Pan - Cooks the salmon beautifully while creating attractive char marks and smoky flavour.
  • 1 Fish Spatula – Makes flipping delicate salmon fillets easy without breaking them apart.
  • 1 Large Salad Bowl – Provides plenty of room for gently tossing all the salad ingredients together.
  • 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife Ensures clean, precise cuts for vegetables and herbs.
  • 1 Cutting Board - Offers a safe and stable surface for ingredient preparation.
  • 1 Mixing Bowl: Ideal for whisking together the homemade lemon dressing.
  • 1 Whisk Helps combine the dressing until smooth and emulsified.
  • Measuring Cups And Measuring Spoons: Ensure accurate ingredient quantities for consistent flavour.
  • 1 Instant-Read Meat Thermometer: Confirms the salmon reaches an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F) for perfectly cooked fish.
  • Serving Platter or Individual Salad Bowls – Presents your Grilled Salmon Salad beautifully for family meals or entertaining guests

Ingredients
  

  • 6 Salmon Fillets - About 170g Each
  • 2 Large Heads Romaine Lettuce - Chopped
  • 4 Cups Mixed Salad Greens
  • 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes - Halved
  • 2 Medium Cucumbers - Sliced
  • 2 Large Ripe Avocados - Sliced
  • 1 Small Red Onion - Thinly Sliced
  • 1 Cup Sweetcorn Kernels
  • ½ Cup Black Olives - Sliced
  • 150 g Feta Cheese - Crumbled
  • 2 Lemons - Juiced
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill - Chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley - Chopped
  • 3 Garlic Cloves - Minced
  • 6 Tablespoons Olive Oil - Extra Virgin
  • 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • 2 Teaspoons Dijon Mustard
  • 2 Teaspoons Sea Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare All The Ingredients

  • Wash the romaine lettuce, mixed salad greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley and dill thoroughly under cold running water.
  • Pat everything dry with a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner to keep your Grilled Salmon Salad crisp and fresh.
  • Slice the cucumbers, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, crumble the feta cheese and slice the avocados just before serving to prevent browning.
  • Arrange all the prepared vegetables separately while you cook the salmon for quick assembly later.

Step 2: Season The Salmon

  • Pat the salmon fillets dry using kitchen paper. Removing excess moisture helps achieve a beautifully grilled exterior.
  • Brush both sides of each fillet lightly with extra virgin olive oil.
  • Sprinkle evenly with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper and smoked paprika.
  • Add a little chopped dill for extra aroma if desired.
  • Allow the seasoned salmon to rest for about 10–15 minutes so the flavours can penetrate the fish before grilling.

Step 3: Grill The Salmon

  • Preheat your outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (approximately 200–220°C).
  • Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
  • Place each salmon fillet skin-side down first.
  • Grill for 4–5 minutes without moving the fish.
  • Carefully flip each fillet using a fish spatula.
  • Continue cooking for another 3–5 minutes, depending on thickness.
  • The salmon is perfectly cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F).
  • Remove from the grill and allow the salmon to rest for 5 minutes before assembling your Grilled Salmon Salad.

Step 4: Prepare The Homemade Dressing

    In a medium mixing bowl, combine:

    • Fresh lemon juice
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Honey
    • Minced garlic
    • Dijon mustard
    • Chopped parsley
    • Chopped dill
    • A pinch of sea salt
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • Whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes until the dressing becomes smooth, glossy and fully emulsified.
    • Taste and adjust the seasoning if required.
    • A fresh homemade dressing elevates the flavour of Grilled Salmon Salad far beyond any bottled alternative.

    Step 5: Assemble The Salad

    • Add the chopped romaine lettuce and mixed greens to a large serving bowl.
    • Scatter the cucumber slices evenly over the leaves.
    • Add the halved cherry tomatoes.
    • Sprinkle over the sweetcorn.
    • Add the sliced red onion.
    • Scatter the black olives throughout the bowl.
    • Finish with crumbled feta cheese.
    • Arrange the avocado slices gently around the salad.
    • Keeping the ingredients layered rather than heavily mixed creates a colourful presentation worthy of any dinner table.

    Step 6: Add The Grilled Salmon

    • Place the warm grilled salmon fillets gently on top of the prepared salad.
    • Spoon a little dressing over each fillet.
    • Garnish with extra chopped dill and parsley.
    • Add a few fresh lemon wedges around the serving platter for extra brightness.
    • The contrast between warm salmon and cool vegetables makes Grilled Salmon Salad especially satisfying.

    Step 7: Toss And Serve

    • Drizzle the remaining dressing evenly across the salad.
    • Toss gently just before serving if preferred, or serve with the ingredients beautifully arranged.
    • Serve immediately while the salmon remains warm and flaky.

    Notes

    • 🐟 Choose Fresh Salmon: Fresh, skin-on salmon fillets deliver the best flavour, texture and moisture for this Grilled Salmon Salad.
    • 🔥 Don't Overcook: Grill the salmon just until it flakes easily with a fork (internal temperature of 63°C/145°F) to keep it tender and juicy.
    • 🍋 Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the dressing a brighter, fresher flavour than bottled juice.
    • 🥗 Assemble Just Before Serving: Combine the salad ingredients and dressing only when ready to eat to keep the vegetables crisp and fresh.
    • 🥑 Add Avocado Last: Slice the avocado immediately before serving to prevent browning and maintain its creamy texture.
    • 🌿 Fresh Herbs Make A Difference: Fresh dill and parsley enhance the flavour and aroma far more than dried herbs.
    • ❄️ Meal Prep Friendly: Store the grilled salmon, salad vegetables and dressing separately in airtight containers, then assemble your Grilled Salmon Salad when ready to serve.
    • ❤️ Customise To Taste: Feel free to add quinoa, roasted vegetables, nuts or your favourite cheese to make this Grilled Salmon Salad your own.
    Keyword Grilled Salmon Salad