Grilled Salmon Salad - a healthy and delicious grilled salmon salad recipe that comes together quickly and easily! Such amazing flavors!
Ingredients
Greek Vinaigrette Dressing:
¼cupred wine vinegar
2 ½teaspoonsdried oregano leaves
1teaspoongarlicminced
1teaspoonlemon juice
1teaspoondijon mustard
1teaspoonmarjoram leaves
½teaspoongarlic powder
¼teaspoonkosher salt
¼teaspoonground black pepper
⅛teaspooncoriander
½cupavocado oil
Grilled Salmon Salad:
2salmon filletsapprox. 1 inch thick and 4oz
2teaspoonsavocado oil
kosher salt and ground black pepper
2cupsromaine lettuceroughly chopped
1cupcherry tomatoeshalved
1cupkalamata olives
1avocadodiced
¼cupred onionhalved and sliced
½cupfeta cheesesub dairy-free (optional - omit if Whole30/Paleo)
Instructions
Make Dressing: Add ¼ cup red wine vinegar, 2 ½ teaspoons dried oregano leaves, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon marjoram leaves, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper and ⅛ teaspoon coriander to a small bowl. Slowly add ½ cup avocado oil while whisking. Continue whisking until fully combined.
Prep Grill: Preheat grill to High Heat - 450-500℉. Ensure your grates are cleaned and lightly greased with oil.
Prep Salmon: While your grill is pre-heating, place 2 salmon fillets on a tray. Pat dry with a clean paper towel. Using a basting brush, brush on 2 teaspoons avocado oil so the meat is lightly covered. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper (approximately ¼ teaspoon or so per fillet and a dusting of pepper).
Grill Salmon: Place skin side down over direct heat and close the grill. Reduce temp to approximately 375℉ (by opening the grill to put the salmon on the temp will drop quite quickly so just remember to manually turn down the heat). Let cook for 3-4 minutes (keep cover on).
Flip Salmon: Open grill and, using your metal spatula, try and carefully separate the skin from the flesh. The skin will most likely stick to the grates allowing you to get your spatula under the meat of the salmon. Then flip onto a different spot on the grill (still over direct heat) and close the grill. Sometimes, depending upon different variables, the meat will just refuse to separate. That's okay. Don't fight it too much and instead simply flip the salmon over and the skin can be removed after grilling. Let cook for 3-4 minutes longer or until it reaches an internal temp of 145℉ (using an internal meat thermometer) or until the meat at the thickest point turns opaque and flakes easily. Remove from grill and let sit 5 minutes.
Build Salads: Divide lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, onion, olives and feta cheese (if using) between bowls. Place salmon on top. Serve with vinaigrette on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
Dressing: you will have extra dressing, simply save for a later use (these Greek Chicken Meatballs are a good place to use it)!
Whole30/Paleo: this recipe is easily Whole30/Paleo if you just omit the feta cheese.
Clean + Greased Grates: make sure your grill is clean and the grates are greased/oiled. If your salmon sticks its most likely because your grates are greased (or because you didn't cook the salmon long enough before flipping).
How Long to Cook: A general rule of thumb is to grill salmon at 375 degrees for approximately 3-4 minutes per half-inch, flipping halfway, OR until the internal temp (at thickest part) is 145 degrees. That being said, once you have done it numerous times you will also be able to eyeball when it looks done based off of how the meat looks and how flaky it is!
Oil After Cooking: Sometimes I like to lightly brush the salmon with a little avocado oil AFTER I grill it.