I love complete meal salads! This is Blackened Salmon and Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette. Gorgeous, filling and a complete meal: greens, grains, vegetables, omega 3 fats and protein in one fell swoop!
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The Salmon:
I use wild caught 6-8 oz salmon filets seasoned with blackened cajun spice. This recipe can be grilled or seared on the cooktop and finished in the oven.
Tips for Buying Fish:
1. It’s best not to buy fish wrapped in plastic. You should be able to smell the fish you are buying. I always buy mine from a fishmonger I trust. If he is handling it, cutting it etc… he will know if it’s not fresh.
2. Try to buy fish the day you plan on making it.
3. When selecting fish always point to the piece you want. In stores the freshest fish is placed in the front of the window, closest to you, and the fish from the day before is placed in the back, closest to the fishmonger. So when you are looking at the fish closest to you and ask for it, he pulls it from the back. It doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with that fish from the day before, it’s just not the freshest…and you want the freshest!
Quinoa:
Quinoa is a grain from South America that is high in protein, fiber and healthy fats, and believe it or not quinoa is related to beetroot, spinach and tumbleweeds! It is similar to rice in that it isn’t very flavorful on it’s own but takes on the flavors of what it is cooked in/with. I usually cook mine in broth for more flavor but water works fine too, especially with this salad because it is loaded with flavor.
Speaking of Flavor…Lime Vinaigrette!
This salad is drizzled with a sweet/tart homemade lime vinaigrette! Homemade dressing is so easy to make and literally takes three minutes. Once you start making your own, you never go back to store bought!
The Caramelized Walnuts:
You can buy them, or make your own!
The Recipe: Blackened Salmon and Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Variations, tips and what you will need: You will need white quinoa, blackened cajun spice, a hand held juicer and a fish spatula. If you do not want to make this recipe on the grill, I offer the cooktop/oven instructions in the recipe below. If you are using the cooktop instead of the grill, you will need an oven safe grill pan, Anolon Tri-Ply Clad 12” Deep Ground Grill Pan.

Can be made on the grill or cooktop/oven. For cooktop directions, see bottom of recipe. This recipe is gluten and dairy free.
- 1 cup quinoa cooked in 2 cups broth or water according to package directions
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- generous pinch sea salt
- a few turns of freshly ground pepper
- 4 cups chopped romaine
- 1 cup cherry tomato medley slice tomatoes in half
- 1/2 cup caramelized walnuts
- 1/2 small cucumber peeled and diced
- 1/4 of small red onion thinly sliced
- 2 ripe avocados diced
- 4 - 6 oz salmon filets
- olive oil
- blackened cajun spice
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Cook quinoa with broth or water according to package instructions, strain and allow to cool. While quinoa is cooking, make vinaigrette by placing all ingredients into a mason jar and shaking or whisking until emulsified.
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Prepare lettuce, vegetables, avocado and nuts. Place on platter.
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Spray grill with organic cooking spray or wipe with coconut oil. Preheat to 400 degrees.
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Brush salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with blackened cajun spice.
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When grill is ready, place salmon meat side down (skin side up) and cook for five minutes, establishing nice grill marks. Turn and cook for five more minutes. Serve with skin on or if preferred, remove skin by sliding fish spatula between meat and skin and lifting off grill. Discard skin.
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Place cooled quinoa on platter with other salad ingredients, toss with salad dressing (you will have some leftover). Dish salad unto four plates, top with salmon and then drizzle salmon with more lime vinaigrette. Sprinkle with pepper and sea salt. Serve.Save extra dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place oven rack in center position.
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Heat a pan on high heat for 2 minutes. Add olive oil. When oil is hot turn heat down a bit and add prepared salmon meat side down. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until seared nicely. Turn salmon over with fish spatula. Transfer pan to oven and cook 10-12 more minutes. Leave skin on, or remove by sliding fish spatula between skin and meat of salmon.
More Recipes!
If you love a complete meal salad try this one with rice, chicken and arugula! ~Linda Spiker
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Post tags: Gluten free, dairy free
I feel like I’m eating at a 5 star restaurant with this meal
Everything you post always looks so delicious. This is no exception. YUM!! I am always looking for great new salmon recipes.
I have to admit the idea of cooking my own fish is daunting. This looks so yummy!
No it’s super easy!!!
Yum! I love every single thing about this recipe!
I don’t really like salmon that much but eat it occasionally at my doctor’s request. I will have to try this recipe out.
this looks amazing!! I love blackened salmon, its such a good change from just chicken on a salad. Plus the walnuts and home made lime vinaigrette, you are speaking my language! Thanks for sharing — I’m pinning this for later.
Thanks for the pin!
Well done! Gorgeous fish with crunchy fresh salad, magical!
This looks absolutely amazing. Totally pinned it because it’s one I definitely want to try. YUM!
Thanks for the pin Angie!
Wow this absolutely looks amazing. I love when fish is crisp on the outside! And quinoa…my favorite grain. <3
Oh my gosh this looks delicious!! I’m going to have to try this next week for sure!
Wow that dish is so beautiful. Love the use of quinoa.
Yum! This looks so good.
This looks so delicious! I love salmon!
xo Ashley
Two of my favorites – salmon and quinoa – together in one dish, this sounds amazing!
My brother is always catching salmon to bring over so I am constantly looking for new ways to cook it. This looks delish!
Nice!
I love that lime vinegarette! I bet that goes so well with the salmon – looking forward to trying this! Thank you!
beautiful presentation and I bet that lime vinaigrette just is popping w/ flavor.
This is a perfect meal for any night. Totally in love with your presentation.
This looks so delicious, I love quinoa salad and even for a vegetarian like me it makes such a wholesome meal!
The Lime Vinaigrette is a perfect dressing.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
That looks so good! I love salmon and I need to try the salad!
This was easy, so delicious, even carmelizing walnuts wasn’t to tough and boy were they a nice touch, better than store bought. Had to share with my fb friends! Thank you.
You are so welcome! I am happy you liked it and had success with the walnuts!