Description
This Healthy Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad combines perfectly grilled salmon with crisp romaine lettuce, creamy avocado, and a tangy homemade Caesar dressing made with Greek yogurt. It’s a nutritious, flavorful salad ideal for a light lunch or dinner, balancing rich proteins with fresh greens and a zesty dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Salmon and Marinade
- 1 pound fresh salmon
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (2%)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon anchovy paste (or to taste)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Salad
- 1 head romaine lettuce (torn)
- Parmesan cheese (shaved or grated to taste)
- 1 avocado (sliced)
Instructions
- Marinate the Salmon: Place the salmon pieces in a large Ziploc bag, then pour the marinade ingredients (BBQ sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice) over the salmon. Gently move the salmon around inside the bag to ensure it is evenly coated with the marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more lemon juice, anchovy paste, or salt and pepper to suit your preference. Set aside until ready to use.
- Grill the Salmon: Preheat your grill to high heat and oil the grill grate to prevent sticking. Once hot, reduce the heat to medium-high. Place salmon on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the salmon is fully cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the torn romaine lettuce with the prepared dressing and Parmesan cheese until everything is evenly coated. Using a fork, break the grilled salmon into bite-sized pieces and scatter them over the dressed lettuce. Top with sliced avocado, then serve immediately for best flavor and freshness.
Notes
- Marinating the salmon for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor but avoid marinating longer than 1 hour to prevent texture breakdown.
- You can substitute anchovy paste with Worcestershire sauce or omit for a milder dressing.
- If you don’t have a grill, salmon can also be pan-seared over medium-high heat in a lightly oiled skillet for similar results.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright, fresh taste in both marinade and dressing.
- Parmesan cheese can be shaved or grated as preferred, and add more for a richer flavor.
