• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sidewalk Shoes
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Food Recipes Index
    • Cocktails Recipes Index
    • All Recipes
  • Lifestyle
    • Gardening
    • Travels
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • Tennessee
  • Cats
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Food
  • Cocktails
  • Collections
  • Travels
  • Cats
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Salad Recipes

    Salmon Caesar Salad

    LAST UPDATED: September 5, 2022 PUBLISHED: September 5, 2022 By Pam Greer 5 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Take your caesar salad to a whole new level with this Southwest Salmon Caesar Salad!

    Spiced salmon, lettuce, corn and an easy homemade Caesar dressing.

    Salmon on top of a Caesar salad with corn and croutons.

    I love to get Caesar salads at a restaurant. They are usually dripping with dressing and covered in a mound of cheese and croutons. Not exactly healthy.

    This version (based on an old Cooking Light recipe) is decidedly healthier and lighter, but still oh so delicious!

    Salmon is given a quick spicy rub and a pan sear and then rests atop lettuce, corn and croutons with a homemade Caesar salad dressing.

    Ingredients.

    Dressing.

    • Mayonnaise - Cooking light recommends fat free, I like to use avocado based mayo.
    • Parmesan cheese - fresh grated. I love to buy the big chunks from Costco!
    • Buttermilk - I tend to use a lowfat.
    • Lemon juice - fresh squeezed
    • Dijon mustard.
    • Garlic.
    • Anchovy filets - or anchovy paste if you don't have the jarred filets.
    • Water and black pepper.

    Salad.

    • Salt, paprika and Spanish smoked paprika - can also use your favorite spicy fish rub or fajita seasoning.
    • Cayenne pepper.
    • Salmon filets - about 6 ounce size.
    • Romaine lettuce.
    • Corn - fresh is preferred, but frozen works fine!
    • Croutons - garlic flavored, store bought or make your own, Homemade Croutons.

    Step by step instructions.

    Prepare the Caesar salad dressing.

    Freshly grate the parmesan cheese, squeeze the lemon juice, chop the garlic cloves and chop the anchovies.

    Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small food processor, blender or mini chopper and process until well blended.

    For best flavor, cover and keep in the fridge for an hour or so to let the flavors blend.

    Prepare the salad.

    Mix the spice rub for the salmon by combining the salt, paprika, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle it evenly over the fish.

    Heat a non-stick pan over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Place the fish, flesh side down and cook for 4 minutes. Turn the fish over and cook for 4 more minutes or until cooked to your liking.

    In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, corn and croutons. Drizzle over the dressing and toss to coat. Divide the salad between 4 plates and top each one with a salmon filet.

    Salmon on top of a caesar salad.

    This is such a light and flavorful salad. I love the spice blend on the salmon and use it all the time. You can enjoy the homemade salad dressing, make it as fat free as you'd like, or use your own favorite Caesar salad dressing.

    The corn adds a sweetness that really compliments the tangy dressing and the spicy salmon!

    More salmon salads to try.

    Close up of salmon on top of a bed of cabbage salad.
    Pan Grilled Salmon with Sesame Cabbage Salad
    Perfectly pan grilled salmon rests atop a colorful and delicious cabbage salad!
    Click here to see the recipe
    Salmon salad on a plate.
    Salmon Salad with White Beans
    This should actually be called Salmon Salad with White Beans and Roasted Red Bell Peppers and Olives, because it's loaded with good stuff! So easy to make!
    Click here to see the recipe
    Two bowls of spinach salad with Smoked salmon
    Spinach Salad with Smoked Salmon and Apples
    These easy salad is bursting with flavor!  Smoked salmon, apples, almonds and raisins make a delicious lunch salad or a light dinner salad! 
    Click here to see the recipe

    Recipe.

    **As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Seared salmon on a bed of romaine lettuce.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 40 votes

    Salmon Caesar Salad

    An easy main dish Caesar Salad with a southwest flair.
    Course Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour 18 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 446kcal

    Ingredients

    Caesar dressing.

    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
    • 2 tablespoons low fat buttermilk
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh squeezed
    • 1 tablespoon water
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 anchovy filets canned, drained and chopped

    Salad.

    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika
    • 1 dash cayenne pepper
    • 4 salmon filets 6 oz each
    • cooking spray or olive oil
    • 8 cups romaine lettuce torn into bite sized pieces
    • 1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
    • 1 cup croutons store bought or homemade

    Instructions

    • Combine all the dressing ingredients in a mini food processor or blender and process until smooth. Store covered in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors blend.
    • Combine the salt, paprika, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle on the salmon.
    • Heat a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Place salmon flesh side down and cook for 4 minutes. Turn, carefully, and cook for 4 more minutes.
    • In a large bowl toss the lettuce, corn and croutons with the dressing and divide between 4 plates. Top with a salmon filet.

    Notes

    To make this lighter, use low fat mayo. 
    Store bought croutons will work, but your Homemade Croutons will taste so much better! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 446kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 719mg | Potassium: 1180mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 8472IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 3mg

    More Salad Recipes

    • Nicoise tuna salad on a rustic plate.
      Tuna Nicoise Salad
    • Cranberry salad dressing drizzled on a salad.
      Cranberry Salad Dressing
    • Close up of fall panzanella salad on a green plate.
      Fall Panzanella Salad
    • Bowl of colorful mango slaw on a white background.
      Spicy Mango Coleslaw

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paul Nicholas Matick says

      July 30, 2023 at 3:41 pm

      That is far from traditional Ceasar Salad....Mayo not !!!! Traditional Ceasar salad has 14 ingredients !!!
      Anchovies
      Garlic
      tabasco
      Lea Perrins
      Dijon mustard
      Lemon
      Olive oil
      Vinegar
      Capers
      Croutons
      Parmesan cheese
      Salt
      pepper
      Romaine Lettuce

      I worked in a 5 star restaurant and made this salad at the table 55 years ago !!!

      Please do try ?

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        July 31, 2023 at 8:58 am

        I understand that this is not a traditional Caeser, it is a lighter southwestern version.

        Reply
    2. Amy Liu Dong says

      September 10, 2022 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my favorite salad. It is so delicious and so easy to make.

      Reply
    3. Ann says

      September 10, 2022 at 8:51 am

      5 stars
      This salad recipe sounds very fresh! I don't believe I have ever tried salmon with a caesar salad before. Sounds delicious!

      Reply
    4. Jean says

      September 09, 2022 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      I love Caesar salads and this one was quite amazing. The salmon was cooked perfectly and so yummy.

      Reply
    5 from 40 votes (37 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Pam Greer from Sidewalk Shoes

    Hi, I'm Pam. I'm the person who plans whole vacations around where to eat and drink. Beautiful scenery is optional.

    More about me →

    Featured in:

    Collage of website titles

    Sheet Pan Suppers

    • Close up of chicken and vegetables on a sheet pan.
      Honey Balsamic Chicken
    • Tray Baked Salmon and Green Beans
    • Close up of roasted sausages and vegetables.
      Sheet Pan Roasted Sausage and Vegetables
    • Two photos of sheet pan dinners with text overlay.
      15 Easy and Delicious Sheet Pan Dinners
    See more Sheet Pan Suppers →

    Instant Pot

    • Two bowls with toppings of peppers, sauce, tomatoes, cilantro and more.
      Instant Pot Chickpea Mediterranean Bowl
    • Close up of a bowl of black beans topped with cilantro salsa.
      Easy Instant Pot Black Beans
    • Bowl of pineapple rice garnished with cilantro.
      Instant Pot Pineapple Rice
    • Bowl of pork noodle soup topped with radishes and green onions.
      Instant Pot Asian Pork Noodle Soup
    See more Instant Pot →

    Sidewalk Shoes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me
    • Contact me!

    Disclaimer

    Website Disclaimer

    Copyright © 2024 Sidewalk Shoes

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.