Quick Look: Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad
- Main Ingredient: Blackened salmon, lettuce, Caesar dressing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Lunch, dinner, meal prep
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Why I Keep Making This Recipe
- Blackened Salmon + Creamy Dressing: There is just something about the slightly spicy blackened seasoning paired with the creamy Caesar dressing that just pops for me – I never seem to get sick of it!
- Quick: The salmon is super easy to make and if you use store-bought dressing this all comes together so easily!
What You Will Need
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- caesar dressing – feel free to make our healthy caesar dressing or grab your favorite store-bought option (we also have a dairy free caesar dressing too)!
- salmon fillets – we love grabbing fresh fillets from our local grocer, if you use frozen fillets you will want to make sure you thaw them completely before prepping (otherwise there will be too much extra liquid).
- blackened seasoning – this easy blackened seasoning is amazing and super easy to make!
- romaine lettuce – the base of any good caesar salad.
- avocados & hard-boiled eggs – the toppings we chose for this salad but feel free to use toppings that you like!
- parmesan cheese – a necessity in any caesar salad – feel free to use regular or dairy-free.
- quick pickled onions (optional): these quick pickled onions are easy and delicious.
How To Make Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad
Step 1: Mix your blackened seasoning together (feel free to grab a pre-made blend) and rub over salmon with olive oil.
Step 2: Bring large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat and sear salmon skin-side up.
Step 3: Flip salmon over and transfer to pre-heated oven until fully cooked.
Step 4: Meanwhile, make your homemade caesar dressing (but feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand if you prefer).
Step 5: Divide your lettuce, salmon and desired toppings between bowls and drizzle on some dressing! Enjoy!
Salmon Preparations
You have a few options for preparing the salmon.
- Our favorite way is to make an amazing blackened salmon – full of flavor and so easy that is seared in a cast iron skillet and then finished in the oven.
- You could also toss your salmon on the grill if you prefer to make it that way.
- We also have an air fryer salmon recipe that would work really well here.
What Toppings Go Well With Caesar Salad
On this salad we chose parmesan cheese, avocados, & stove top hard-boiled eggs. In our opinion, parmesan cheese (regular or dairy-free) is a staple of a good caesar salad so that is a must! Other good topping options would include – homemade croutons or cherry tomatoes.
Meal Prep Tips
If you are planning to meal prep this salad you will want to store items separately to prevent the salad from getting soggy. Store the salmon by itself so that you can easily reheat it and then wait to pour on the dressing until you are ready to eat it.
Other Caesar Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
Blackened Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle pepper
Salmon Caesar Salads:
- 4 salmon fillets, skin-on (6oz each)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4-6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- parmesan cheese, regular or dairy-free
- quick pickled onions, optional
- caesar dressing, homemade caesar salad dressing or store-bought
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Make Seasoning: In a small bowl, add 1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and ¼ teaspoon chipotle pepper. Mix to combine.
- Season Salmon: Pat 4 salmon fillets dry with clean paper towel. Rub salmon all over with blackened seasoning. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over seasoned salmon; rub into salmon.
- Cook Salmon: Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil; swirl to coat the pan. Sear salmon (skin-side up) for approx. 1-3 minutes (or until there is a good char). Flip salmon over so skin side is down and place in the oven (middle rack and uncovered). Let cook 10-14 minutes or until fully cooked (internal temperature of 145℉). Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Build Salads: Divide 4-6 cups romaine lettuce between 4 bowls. Place one piece of salmon in each bowl. Add parmesan cheese, avocado, hard-boiled egg and pickled onions (if desired).
- Serve: Top with caesar dressing and enjoy!
Notes
- Dairy-Free: use a dairy-free caesar dressing such Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing or Tessemae’s Caesar Dressing and either omit the parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Whole30/Paleo: omit the parmesan cheese and use a Whole30 compatible caesar dressing.
- Grill Option: you can also grill the salmon if you want – prepare it as directed above and then follow our tutorial on how to grill salmon!
- Nutrition Info does not include dressing because options will vary.
Shea says
Absolutely delicious!!! We made this for our meal prep for the week and it was perfect. The Caesar dressing recipe is one I’ll definitely be using in the future, also really enjoyed the blackened seasoning recipe. It was perfect and topping the salad with pickled onions was such a smart idea!! Very well rounded salad, im already looking forward to making this again
Erin says
Thanks, Shea!!