Easy Salmon Caesar Salad is a no-fuss flavor-packed meal ~ juicy salmon, crisp romaine, and a tangy dressing that ties it all together. Don’t forget the chunky croutons!
This idea of a salad topped with some type of protein is a go-to dinner model we love in our house. We enjoy it at least once a week and there’s something comforting about the repetition. Whenever we’re wondering what’s for dinner at the end of the day we can always fall back on a big beautiful salad topped with roast chicken, grilled shrimp, sliced steak or even a bun-less cheeseburger! This salmon Caesar salad is a great example of one of those easy healthy dinners we’ve been loving lately.
Today’s main course salad is simply fresh romaine (I buy it already prepped and cleaned) thin sliced red onion, and big chunky croutons tossed with a homemade Caesar salad dressing and some good Parm. The salmon takes all of 15 minutes to cook, so this meal is not only healthy but super quick. See below for my easy stove top sear + oven bake salmon method.
salmon Caesar salad ingredient notes
So many of my favorite meals include some sort of shortcut. Watch for it in my ingredient lists!
SHORT CUT: romaine lettuce ~ I buy trimmed and washed leaves for convenience. I prefer to buy them in tubs rather than bags, for freshness. I love small leaves that I can keep whole, but I will simply slice larger leaves. Romaine lettuce is not listed among the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen,” which identifies produce with the highest pesticide residues, which is nice. But lettuce in general can contain pesticides, so if you’re concerned, consider buying organic romaine lettuce
croutons ~ I made these chunky croutons myself (see instructions below,) but use whatever you like.
Parmesan ~ rich buttery Parmesan cheese will feature in the Caesar dressing and on the salad. A chunk of authentic Parmesan cheese is a smart purchase ~ it will last weeks and the flavor is superior.
salmon ~ I allow 1/3 pound per serving. You can make this salad with farmed, wild, or frozen salmon.
lemony Caesar dressing ~ my homemade version omits the raw egg or mayo. It’s olive oil based and a little thinner and lighter than many versions, we love it because it doesn’t overpower or weigh down this salmon Caesar salad.
related recipe: 30 Second Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe
easy pan sear/oven bake salmon
This easy process insures a succulent salmon that’s crispy on the outside, tender inside. I now use this method whenever I crave that caramelized flavor and crunchy texture of a pan sear.
- Heat a generous amount of oil and butter in a skillet until quite hot but not smoking.
- Place the individual portions of salmon skin side up into the pan and let sit for 5 minutes. You may need to moderate the heat so it doesn’t burn.
- Carefully flip the fish and then slide the skillet into the oven to finish cooking ~ 130F-140F internally.
easy homemade croutons
If you ask me, one of the things that can make salad for dinner more satisfying is the addition of homemade croutons (aka a little bit of crunchy carb.) I use fresh artisan bread, although leftover works too, and cut it into beefy cubes. I toss it with salt and extra virgin olive oil and then toast them in more olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium to medium-high heat until they’re golden and crisp.
What I love about these croutons is that while they are crisp and crunchy on the outside, they’re softer inside. I think they’re so much better this way.
why we love this salmon Caesar salad
Salmon Caesar salad is a healthy meal that feels indulgent. When those two words come together to describe one meal, you know you’ve got a win. It’s definitely not rocket science, but there is a magic that happens when you combine caramelized pan seared protein with fresh greens, crunchy croutons, sharp onions, and a tangy lemony dressing. Use this recipe as a blueprint for other types of fish, shellfish, or fish cakes.
dinner shortcut tip: use ready washed lettuce
- I prefer to buy triple washed lettuce in tubs rather than bags for better freshness.
- Choose reputable brands.
- Check the “best by” date and appearance.
- Store it properly in your refrigerator.
Salmon Caesar Salad
Equipment
- immersion blender or small food processor
- oven safe nonstick frying pan*
Ingredients
non-creamy lemony Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil, I use pure olive oil for milder flavor
- 3 Tbsp freshly shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 anchovy, or a tsp of anchovy paste (or Worcestershire sauce)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise for a creamier dressing
salmon
- 1 1/3 lb salmon, cut into 4 slices
- olive oil
- salt and black pepper
- smoked paprika
salad
- 4 handfuls romaine leaves
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- chunky croutons ~ see below for homemade instructions**
- lemon wedges
Instructions
dressing
- Put all the ingredients in a jar and use an immersion blender to blend. Taste the dressing to adjust any of the ingredients. If you'd like a creamier dressing blend in the mayo. Set aside.
salmon
- Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Sprinkle lightly with the paprika.
- Coat the bottom of an oven safe nonstick pan with olive oil and heat until hot but not smoking.
- Place the salmon, skin side up, into the pan. Let sear for 5 minutes without moving. You may need to lower the heat to prevent burning, depending on your stove. Carefully flip each piece of fish and place in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through (until the internal temperature reaches 140F – 145F.)
salad
- I use small romaine lettuce leaves so I don't chop them, but if yours are larger, give them a rough chop. In a large bowl toss your lettuce with some of the dressing to lightly coat.
- Divide romaine leaves between 4 wide shallow bowls. Add the sliced red onion over the greens, breaking apart the thin rings as you add them to the salad. Scatter the croutons over the salad.
- Top each bowl with salmon. Garnish with a lemon wedge and more Parmesan cheese. Drizzle more dressing over the top.
Notes
Nutrition
more salmon dinner ideas
- Tuscan Salmon with Lemony Orzo
- Salmon Packets
- Spring Veggie Bowls with Salmon and Lemon Aioli
- Creamy Salmon Soup with Lemon
- Miso Glazed Salmon
