Salmon Salad With Cabbage (Grill or Oven)

Name: Salmon Salad With Cabbage
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 4 oz or larger salmon fillets (preferably skinless, but it’s personal preference); ½ tsp Salt or to taste; ¼ tsp Black coarse pepper or to taste; 1 tsp soy sauce; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; Half of a white or red onion (sliced); 6-8 cherry or plum tomatoes; Half of a small head of Red cabbage (shredded); Half of a small head of green cabbage (shredded); ½ of a large carrot (grated or julienned); 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp dried oregano; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 ½ tsp maple syrup; ½ tsp dijon mustard; Lemon juice to taste

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This salmon salad recipe makes a great main dish salad with roasted salmon, vegetables, and easy herb dressing.

salmon salad bowl in a white bowl with parsley and cabbage

Roast the salmon in the oven or on the grill, it'll only take you 20 minutes in total. I provide both cooking instructions in this post.

Another refreshing meal is ready in minutes!

Easy to make right away for lunch, or meal prep for a busy week.

It takes about 15 minutes to bake the salmon in the oven which is perfect timing while you make the salad dressing and assemble the vegetables in a bowl. Quick, healthy, and cozy meal.

Let's make some salad!

If you love cabbage recipes, I have a delicious collection of 40+ Best Cabbage Recipes (featuring both green and red cabbage recipes).

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Salmon Salad Dressing
What goes in salmon salad
Instructions
Storing, Freezing and Make Ahead Instructions
Cabbage Recipes
Common Recipe Questions
More Cabbage Recipes
Recipe
Salmon Salad With Cabbage
Comments

Salmon Salad Dressing

This salmon salad dressing consists of only 6 main ingredients + salt & pepper. Very simple, light, yet delicious dressing that can be used in many other salads too.

If you’re not a cabbage fan, swap the vegetables to some greeny leaf salad, add or remove carrot, throw in creamy avocado, and well, whatever you like to have your salads with. This versatile dressing is perfect for any occasion!

If you like fulfilling salad bowls be sure to head over to my Salad Section or try one of these yummy salads such as Arugula Chicken Salad With Strawberries, Cold Pasta Salad With Sausage, Asian Slaw, Eggplant Chickpea Salad, Pasta Salad With Cheddar.

What goes in salmon salad

In short, veggies of your choice, fresh salmon filets, quick salmon marinade and salad dressing.

Here’s in detail, what goes in the Salmon Salad:

Salmon: A good-quality salmon filets of your choice, seasoned with a marinade of salt, pepper, a bit of olive oil, soy sauce, and lemon juice.

Lemon juice - Be sure to use fresh lemon juice as bottled lemon juice doesn’t have the same fresh bright flavor to it.

Cheddar (optional): Some lighter cheddar, crumbled or grated on top will add a tangy and sharp flavor to the final dish. Feel free to leave this out if you’re avoiding dairy. Another substitute would be feta cheese.

Cabbage. Budget-friendly and fulfilling and makes a unique and great combo paired with salmon. Feel free to change things for a lighter version by using leafy green lettuce instead.

Other fresh veggies – In this salad, I’ve used cabbage, carrot, tomatoes, and onion. Very simple! And one of the essential things in a salad for me is for sure grated carrot if added in proportional quantities gives that extra flavor that completes the salad. For tomatoes, you can use either regular or cherry/plum tomatoes (fresh or roasted). Other vegetables you can add: sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced bell peppers, sliced red onion, romaine lettuce, arugula, kale, olives.

Herbs – None of my meals lack herbs, would they be fresh or dried will depend on the dish I’m preparing. They enhance the look of the salad and add an extra boost of flavor to the salad and the dressing. If you don't have basil and oregano, you can sub with parsley, cilantro (moderate quantities), and tarragon.

The salad makes a wholesome meal on its own, no side dishes are needed. For extra protein, you could add lime cilantro rice, quinoa, and chickpeas.

Instructions

Salmon. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Rub the salmon (both sides) with salt and pepper.

salmon fillets on a parchment paper coated in marinade

How to bake salmon in the oven: Place the salmon fillets skin side down on the baking sheet, drizzle with the marinade, and roast in the oven at 400F for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through (roasting time will also depend on the size of your salmon).

Cook salmon on the grill: Place fish, skin side down, in a disposable foil pan, and drizzle with the marinade. Transfer to the grill, cover the lid, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

salmon salad dressing with oregano and basil

Whisk together all of the salad dressing ingredients in a jar. Set aside. (Add lemon juice now or leave to drizzle on top of the salmon later).

In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegetables, pour in the dressing, and toss until fully combined. Distribute the salad equally between individual serving bowls.

shredded green and red cabbage in a glass bowl

Once salmon is cooked through, remove from the oven and place it on top of the salad.

Squeeze lemon juice on top (or just add lemon wedges on the side), add grated or crumbled cheddar cheese, sprinkle with parsley, and serve while the salmon is warm. Enjoy!

You can easily make salmon burgers if using smaller salmon fillets.

Storing, Freezing and Make Ahead Instructions

You can make the salad dressing few days before. Keep in the fridge and toss the salad with it just before serving.

For salmon, place the fillets into a zip loc bag, pour the marinade on top and leave in the fridge overnight.

For veggies, you can mix shredded cabbages, grated carrots, and sliced onions together in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container overnight. Don’t add the tomatoes or the dressing just yet. The dressing will cause the salad to be soggy and well, not so fresh after all.

Cabbage Recipes

If you have extra cabbage and need recipe ideas, check out this extensive roundup collection of the best cabbage recipes. Don't miss our readers' favorite ground beef and cabbage recipe.

Common Recipe Questions

Can you eat salmon skin?

Salmon skin has the same or even more nutrients than salmon flesh, however, it is not the best option in salads.

How do you know when salmon is done?

Cooking salmon in the oven is a quick process and it is very easy to overcook it until it's dry. After a 15 minute mark gently press on the thickest part of salmon with a finger or a fork, if it's start to flake with a little translucent in the middle is ready. Cooked salmon is flaky, tender, and light pink in color. Depending on each individual oven and salmon thickness it may vary but for me, baking salmon at 425 F usually takes about 18 minutes (5-6 oz fillet).

How do you keep salmon fillets from drying out on the grill?

Just don't forget your salmon and be sure to check on it after 10-15 minute mark. Gently poke the fish with a fork, if it flakes easily it's done.

Do you grill salmon skin-side down first?

It depends, some recipes flip the fillets over too. In my recipe, you don't have to do it whether you bake the salmon in the oven or grill. Simply place the salmon skin-side down, close the oven or close the lid when grilling and just wait. Salmon will cook through thanks to the heat circulation.

How long does salmon need to be on the grill?

It usually takes 15-20 minutes for a salmon fillet to cook until flaky. The precise time will depend on the thickness of your fillets.

More Cabbage Recipes

ALL SALAD and SIDE DISH recipes.

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