Salmon Caesar Salad
Pan-seared salmon is delicious paired with homemade croutons and crisp Caesar Salad. Season the salmon and pan sear it, toast some fresh bread cubes in the oven to make croutons, and toss your chopped romaine in a zesty, homemade dressing for this Salmon Caesar Salad. It’s affordable, easy to make and so flavorful. It will become a new favorite 30-minute meal!
We try to eat salmon regularly, because of the health benefits and because we love it. It’s a thick, meaty, mild fish and can be served with so many foods, including pasta, rice, vegetables and salad. This time I served it with crisp Caesar Salad and crunchy Homemade Croutons. The Caesar dressing and Parmesan cheese add to the appeal by giving this dish a tangy, creamy flavor.
There are a few main ingredients you’ll need to gather for this recipe. A loaf of crusty bread, salmon fillets, fresh hearts of romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and the ingredients to make a creamy Caesar Dressing. You can substitute a bottled salad dressing if time doesn’t allow you to make your own. There are several brands that are delicious and affordable.
There are three components to making this dish, the homemade croutons, the pan-seared salmon, and the salad with Caesar dressing. Let’s get started!
Salmon Caesar Salad Recipe
What’s needed?
Homemade Croutons:
- 2 cups crusty bread, cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- a pinch of both salt and black pepper
Pan-Seared Salmon:
- Four 4-ounce salmon fillets
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Caesar Salad:
- 2 hearts romaine lettuce
- 1 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- a pinch of salt and black pepper
How to make Homemade Croutons:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- You must start with good, sturdy bread if you want to make crunchy croutons. I used a loaf of crusty Rosemary and Olive Oil Bread from my local bakery. Cut bread to make two cups of cubed bread. Reserve the rest of the loaf for another use.
- Place the cubed bread into a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add a few pinches of salt and black pepper. Stir to coat the bread. Place the bread cubes on a sheet pan in a single layer.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 16 minutes, turning the croutons after 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Grated Parmesan cheese can be sprinkled over the croutons after baking, if desired.
How to make Salmon Caesar Salad?
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- While the croutons are browning in the oven, you’ll want to pan sear the salmon fillets. Cut the salmon into four 5-ounce fillets by cutting across the fish from side to side. Season the salmon with Italian seasoning and garlic salt.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil and stir until melted. When the pan is hot, add the fillets to the pan. Do not move the salmon, allow it to cook for 5-6 minutes. The fish will easily release from the pan once cooked.
- Turn the salmon and cook on the other side for another 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Remove the fillets to a plate lined with a paper towel and allow to cool slightly. The skin will peel off easily once the fish has cooked.
- Roughly chop or tear the lettuce from two romaine hearts into bite-size pieces and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients for the dressing and whisk together until smooth. Remove half of the dressing to a small bowl or small mason jar with a lid. You can always add more dressing to the salad if needed.
- Place the lettuce in the mixing bowl and toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired. Add the homemade croutons and toss gently. Divide the Caesar salad between 4 plates, top with a salmon fillet (skin removed) and garnish with more shredded Parmesan cheese. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Substitutions for Salmon Caesar Salad:
Homemade Croutons– Using store bought croutons is a real time-saver. They come in a variety of flavors and are relatively inexpensive. But homemade always tastes better and you can make the desired amount.
Caesar Dressing– I am an advocate for making fresh salad dressing, whether it is Blue Cheese Salad Dressing, Caesar Salad Dressing, or a simple vinaigrette. But there have been plenty of times when I don’t have the ingredients or the time to make it. Using a good bottled dressing can make this salad tasty and even easier to make.
Pan-Seared Salmon– Look for salmon in the seafood and meat section of the grocery store. Buying it in a large piece and cutting it yourself will save you money. If you prefer a different protein or are trying to feed picky eaters, you can use chicken breast or a white fish for the protein. Pan sear them in exactly the same way and allow to cool slightly before adding them to the top of the salad.
For more fresh, savory salads, check out these delicious recipes:
- Cobb Salad and Blue Cheese Dressing
- Copycat Wildfire Chicken Salad
- Grilled Caesar Salad with Shrimp
- Crab and Spring Pea Salad
- Asian Grilled Chicken Salad
Make Salmon Caesar Salad today and share it with your family. They are sure to love it! Remember to leave me a comment after making this crunchy, fresh salad. And don’t forget to enter your email address in the SUBSCRIBE BOX to receive NEW recipes in your inbox!
Salmon Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For the Croutons:
- 2 cups bread, cubed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pinch salt and black pepper
For the Salmon:
- 16 ounces salmon, 4 fillets
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Salad:
- 2 hearts romaine lettuce
- 1 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
Croutons:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- You must start with good, sturdy bread if you want to make crunchy croutons. I used a loaf of crusty Rosemary and Olive Oil Bread from my local bakery. Cut bread to make two cups of cubed bread. Reserve the rest of the loaf for another use.
- Place the cubed bread into a medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and add a few pinches of salt and black pepper. Stir to coat the bread. Place the bread cubes on a sheet pan in a single layer.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 16 minutes, turning the croutons after 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Grated Parmesan cheese can be sprinkled over the croutons after baking, if desired.
Salmon:
- While the croutons are browning in the oven, you’ll want to pan sear the salmon fillets. Cut the salmon into four 5-ounce fillets by cutting across the fish from side to side. Season the salmon with Italian seasoning and garlic salt.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the butter and olive oil and stir until melted. When the pan is hot, add the fillets to the pan. Do not move the salmon, allow it to cook for 5-6 minutes. The fish will easily release from the pan once cooked.
- Turn the salmon and cook on the other side for another 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Remove the fillets to a plate lined with a paper towel and allow to cool slightly. The skin will peel off easily once the fish has cooked.
Salad and Dressing:
- Roughly chop or tear the lettuce from two romaine hearts into bite-size pieces and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients for the dressing and whisk together until smooth. Remove half of the dressing to a small bowl or small mason jar with a lid. You can always add more dressing to the salad if needed.
- Place the lettuce in the mixing bowl and toss to coat. Add more dressing if desired. Add the homemade croutons and toss gently. Divide the Caesar salad between 4 plates, top with a salmon fillet (skin removed) and garnish with more shredded Parmesan cheese. Recipe makes 4 servings.
Equipment
- 1 sheet pan
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 large skillet
Theresa
The best way to eat Caesar salad is with pan-seared salmon! We just love it! Enjoy!