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Here’s my confession: I really love a good Salmon Caesar Salad. Classic Caesar salads already hit the spot for me, but adding perfectly cooked salmon takes it to another level. If you remember my Skinny Chicken and Avocado Caesar Salad from a while back, think of this as its richer, more satisfying cousin. It still has that familiar Caesar vibe, just with bolder flavor and a more filling twist.
After all the sugar and desserts I’ve been sharing lately, I was deep in salad withdrawal. This caesar salad with salmon was exactly what I was craving. Fresh, creamy, and packed with texture, this salmon caesar salad recipe feels indulgent while still being light enough to balance things out. The addition of avocado gives it that extra layer that makes this avocado caesar salad hard to put down.
What Makes This Recipe So God
This Salmon Caesar Salad works because it turns a classic into something more satisfying without overcomplicating it. The warm, flaky salmon adds richness and protein, making this caesar salad with salmon feel like a complete meal rather than just a side. Paired with crisp romaine and a creamy Caesar dressing, every bite has contrast and balance that keeps it interesting.
What really sets this salmon caesar salad recipe apart is the avocado. It adds a buttery texture that softens the sharpness of the dressing and complements the salmon beautifully. That extra layer is what makes this avocado caesar salad feel fresh, modern, and a little more special than the usual version, while still staying true to everything people love about a Caesar salad.
What Goes Into Salmon Caesar Salad
This salmon caesar salad recipe uses simple, familiar ingredients, but each one has a purpose.
- Fresh Salmon Fillets: The star of the dish, salmon adds richness and protein, turning this caesar salad with salmon into a satisfying main rather than a side.
- Cos Lettuce (Romaine): Crisp and sturdy, romaine holds up to the creamy dressing and warm toppings without wilting, giving the salad its classic Caesar backbone.
- Anchovy Fillet: A small amount adds deep savory flavor to the dressing without making it taste fishy, which is key to a proper salmon caesar salad recipe.
- Avocado: Creamy avocado softens the sharpness of the dressing and pairs naturally with the salmon, giving this avocado caesar salad a smoother, more modern finish.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Salmon Caesar Salad
- Preheat and Toast Croutons: Preheat the oven to grill or broil on medium to high heat. Toast the cubed bread with a light drizzle of olive oil until golden and crisp.
- Season the Salmon: Season the salmon fillets evenly with garlic powder and a pinch of salt. Set the fillets aside briefly while you heat the pan.
- Cook the Salmon: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the salmon on both sides until golden and just cooked through.
- Finish the Salmon: Transfer the salmon to a warm plate and squeeze lemon juice over each fillet. Let it rest while you prepare the remaining components.
- Fry the Bacon: Add the diced bacon to the same skillet over medium heat. Cook until golden and crispy, then remove from the pan.
- Prepare the Eggs: Boil or poach the eggs to your liking in gently simmering water. Remove once the whites are set and the yolks are still soft.
- Make the Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl or blender. Mix or blend until smooth, then season to taste.
- Assemble: Combine lettuce, salmon, bacon, avocado, parmesan, and croutons. Add dressing, top with eggs, and serve.
This Salmon Caesar Salad works well with sides that add contrast without making the meal feel heavy. Crispy Parmesan Asparagus with Garlic Butter brings crunch and savory depth that complements the creamy dressing and flaky salmon. For something warm and comforting, Skinny Slow Cooker Potato Soup adds a smooth, mellow element that pairs nicely with the sharpness of the Caesar flavors. To finish the plate, Garlic Cheese Bread is a simple, crowd-pleasing option that’s perfect for soaking up extra dressing while keeping the meal relaxed and satisfying.
Tips For Making Salmon Caesar Salad
- I like to pull the salmon off the heat just before I think it’s done. It finishes cooking as it rests and stays juicy instead of drying out.
- When it comes to croutons, I let them go a shade darker than “golden” for extra crunch, but I never walk away from the oven because they turn fast.
- I always start with less dressing than I think I need and add more only if needed. A good Caesar should coat the leaves, not drown them.
- I slice the avocado at the very last minute, right before tossing everything together. It stays bright, creamy, and looks much better on the plate.
Recipe FAQ’s
The key is not overcooking it. Remove the salmon from the heat while it is still slightly tender in the center, as it will continue to cook while resting.
Use fresh eggs, gently simmer the water instead of boiling it, and add a little vinegar. Creating a whirlpool helps the whites wrap neatly around the yolk.
This salad is best served slightly warm, with freshly cooked salmon and eggs added over crisp lettuce. The contrast in temperatures is part of what makes it so good.
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Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 1/2 cup cubed ciabatta or sourdough
- 5 oz x 2 fresh salmon fillets skin off
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 medium lemon juiced
- 1/4 cup diced bacon
- 2 large eggs poached or boiled
- 2 heads cos lettuce washed and dried
- 1 medium avocado sliced
- ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons whole egg mayo full fat or reduced fat
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream full fat or reduced fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 fillet anchovy finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice a lemon
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 pinch salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to grill/broil settings on medium – high heat. Place the cubed bread onto an oven tray; drizzle with olive oil (or spray with cooking oil spray) and bake in the oven (on middle shelf) until crispy.
- Rub the salmon fillets with garlic powder and salt. Heat a / with a drizzle of olive oil and fry salmon until golden on both sides and cooked to your liking. Remove the salmon; squeeze the lemon juice over each fillet and set aside onto a warm plate. Add the bacon to the same pan and fry until golden and crispy.
- While the bacon is frying, boil or poach your eggs to your liking (and don't forget to check your bread in the oven)! If poaching, bring a small pot of water and 2 teaspoons of white vinegar to a gentle boil over medium heat. Create a fast whirlpool in the centre of the water with a spoon, and while that water is swirling, crack your egg (one at a time) into the middle. Once the whites begin to set, spoon some water over the yolk until it begins to change in colour with a cloudy white top, and remove the egg immediately with a slotted spoon.
- To make the Caesar Dressing:
- Combine mayo, yogurt, oil, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice and parmesan in a small bowl, magic bullet blender, small blender or a small food processor. Mix together well, or blend if using a blender, until well combined; add salt and pepper to your tastes, and mix/blend again until smooth. Taste test.
- Assemble Salad:
- Combine lettuce with the salmon and bacon; avocado slices; shaved parmesan cheese; and croutons. Pour over the dressing; mix well to combine; place the eggs on top and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The best salmon caesar salad I have ever had and my husband said the same as well and he is fussy so it must have been amazing 😁
The best salmon caesar salad I have ever had and my husband said the same as well and he is fussy so it must have been amazing 😁
The best salmon caesar salad I have ever had😁