This Smoked Salmon Salad is packed with buttery smoked salmon, creamy avocado, and crisp veggies, all tossed in a lemon dill dressing. It’s fresh, vibrant, and loaded with flavor, making it the perfect mix of elegant and easy.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Smoked Salmon Salad
• 🛒 Ingredients for Smoked Salmon Salad
• 🔪 How to Make Smoked Salmon Salad
• 💡 Tips
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Salmon Salad
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?
• What’s the Difference Between Cold-Smoked and Hot-Smoked Salmon?
• How Do I Keep the Salad From Getting Soggy?
• Why Does My Dressing Separate?
• Can I Make This Dairy-Free?
• 🍽️ More Hearty Salad Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Smoked Salmon Salad

• Buttery smoked salmon, creamy avocado and peppery arugula
• Crisp thinly sliced radishes and red onion
• Crunchy toasted walnuts
• Tossed in a creamy lemon dill dressing
• Elegant enough for a special occasion, easy enough for any day

This Smoked Salmon Salad is proof that simple ingredients can make an incredibly tasty and elegant meal. The mix of buttery smoked salmon, creamy avocado, and crisp radishes over a bed of peppery arugula is simply salad perfection. Tossed in a tangy lemon dill dressing, it’s the kind of salad that makes you forget you’re eating something healthy.

What I love most is that it looks impressive but takes just minutes to throw together. Whether it’s for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner, this salad delivers every time. It’s fresh, flavorful, and easy to make ahead or adjust to your tastes. Once you try it, you’ll want to keep it in your regular rotation.

If you love smoked salmon, you should also try my Smoked Salmon Frittata and my Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs.

🛒 Ingredients for Smoked Salmon Salad

• Smoked salmon
• Arugula
• Avocado
• Red onion
• Eggs
• Radishes
• Walnuts
• Olive oil
• Heavy cream
• Lemon
• Dried dill
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Salad dressing shaker or mixing bowl and whisk
• Large salad bowl or platter

🔪 How to Make Smoked Salmon Salad

Add all the dressing ingredients in a dressing shaker cup.  If you don’t have one, you can add them to a mixing bowl and whisk it together.

Cover and shake until well combined and emulsified.  Set the dressing aside while you assemble the salad.

Wash and dry the arugula, then add it to a large salad platter or bowl.

Take thinly sliced smoked salmon and add it in small bunches over the arugula.

Thinly slice the avocado, then add small bunches around the platter.

Cut each egg in half, and place them over the top, along with the red onions, radishes and toasted walnuts. I like a perfect 8-minute jammy egg, but you can make them the way you prefer.

I also like to add a little salt and pepper over the eggs but this is optional.

Right before serving, pour the dressing over the top.

💡 Tips

• Use cold-smoked salmon for the best silky texture. Hot-smoked salmon is great but has a firmer texture and stronger flavor.

• Thinly slice the red onion and radishes so they don’t overpower the salad. A mandoline works great for this!

• Toast the walnuts for extra crunch and flavor. A quick few minutes in a dry skillet does the trick.

• Don’t overdress the salad. Drizzle just enough dressing to coat everything lightly, then serve extra on the side. This prevents it from getting soggy.

• Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled just doesn’t cut it for the bright, tangy flavor in the dressing.

• Chill the salad before serving if making ahead, but wait to add the dressing until right before eating.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Store undressed salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate until ready to serve.

🍴 What to Serve with Salmon Salad

This salad is packed with protein and other nutrients so it is a meal just as it is. But you can never go wrong with freshly baked Bread, baguettes, croissants, or Dinner Rolls served alongside this salad. You can also serve it with Homemade Tortilla Chips or Ranch Crackers for a satisfying crunch.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Swap the greens: Arugula adds a peppery bite, but mixed greens, spinach, or romaine work too.

• Add more crunch: Try toasted almonds or sunflower seeds instead of walnuts.

• Cheese: Crumbled goat cheese or feta takes this salad to another level.

• Change up the dressing: You can use any dressing you prefer. A simple citrus vinaigrette is a nice option.

• Fresh fruit: Sliced strawberries or orange segments add a fresh, sweet contrast.

Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?

You can prep most ingredients in advance, but don’t slice the avocado or add the dressing until right before serving to keep everything fresh.

What’s the Difference Between Cold-Smoked and Hot-Smoked Salmon?

Cold-smoked salmon has a silky, delicate texture and mild smoky flavor, while hot-smoked salmon is firmer and more intense. Cold-smoked works best here, but either will do.

How Do I Keep the Salad From Getting Soggy?

The key is keeping wet ingredients separate until serving. Store the greens, smoked salmon, and dry toppings together and add the dressing at the last minute.

Why Does My Dressing Separate?

Since it’s an oil-based dressing, it can naturally separate over time. Just shake it up again or whisk it quickly before pouring.

Can I Make This Dairy-Free?

Sure! Swap out the heavy cream in the dressing for coconut cream or an extra drizzle of olive oil for a dairy-free option.

🍽️ More Hearty Salad Recipes

• Greek Chicken Salad
• Chickpea Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Pickled Beet Salad
• Greek Quinoa Salad
• Avocado Corn Salad
• Greek Salmon Salad