Herb-Crusted Salmon Salad (Printable)

Warm herb-crusted salmon fillets atop mixed greens with cherry tomatoes and a zesty vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Salmon

01 - 4 skinless salmon fillets, 5 oz (150 g) each
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp Dijon mustard
04 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
05 - 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
06 - 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
07 - 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
08 - 1 tsp garlic powder
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp ground black pepper

→ Salad

11 - 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine), approx. 4 oz (120 g)
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - ½ English cucumber, sliced
14 - ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
15 - ¼ cup toasted walnuts or almonds (optional)
16 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Vinaigrette

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a small bowl, combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a herb paste.
03 - Place salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet and evenly spread the herb paste over their tops.
04 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the salmon flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through.
05 - Combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, nuts, and feta cheese in a large bowl.
06 - Whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar or lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
07 - Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to evenly coat.
08 - Distribute salad onto four plates and top each with a warm herb-crusted salmon fillet. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The salmon stays tender and moist while the herb crust adds a savory punch that you won't find in boring baked fish.
  • It's ready in thirty-five minutes flat, making it perfect for weeknights when you want something restaurant-quality without the fuss.
  • Warm salmon on cool greens creates this perfect temperature contrast that makes every bite feel intentional.
02 -
  • Salmon continues cooking slightly after you pull it from the oven, so err on the side of slightly underdone rather than overdone; it's easier to put back than to fix dry fish.
  • The temperature contrast between warm salmon and cool salad is essential—it's what makes this feel special, so don't let the salmon sit around getting cold before you plate it.
  • Fresh herbs are non-negotiable here; dried herbs will taste dusty and won't give you that beautiful green crust that makes people want to take a picture.
03 -
  • Toast your own nuts if you can—just toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat for three to four minutes, stirring often, and your whole dish becomes instantly more sophisticated.
  • Make your vinaigrette ten minutes before you serve so the flavors have time to meld; it tastes noticeably better than freshly whisked.
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