Slightly spicy Cajun flavours coat this crispy salmon and it is served on a bed of greens with some couscous and creamy feta. This Cajun Salmon Salad is a nice way to bridge the gap between light summer food and comforting winter food. Although it is a salad, served with hot salmon on top means it is delicious all year round.
It doesn't matter what the weather is, I am all about the salad. Salads don't have to be just for the summer months and by topping it with some warm salmon flakes, you have a much more comforting salad.
With the protein packed salmon and the couscous, this is actually a really filling salad, and easy to double or triple to serve up at a dinner party.
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What you will need
- Salad greens - We used butterhead in this recipe, but, if you want to give it a bit more texture then use a mixture of kale, spinach and romaine.
- Salmon - We used 2 boneless salmon fillets and that is enough for 2 people.
- Cajun Seasoning - This is what gives the salmon all the flavour. We have provided the recipe for our homemade Cajun seasoning blend, however you could use a really good quality store bought one. You could also use a Mexican blend to mix things up.
- Couscous - This is what makes the salad nice and filling. You could use pearl/giant couscous too. If that isn't your thing, you could use cooked rice mixed with harissa paste too.
- Harissa - This adds a nice kick of spice to the couscous. If you don't like heat, then you could stir in some sun-dried tomato paste instead, or just leave it plain.
- Feta - An easy way to add some creaminess, and it cools down the spice from the harissa and Cajun seasoning. Grilled sliced halloumi would work instead of feta too.
- Dill - Fresh herbs really lighten the salad up. You could swap the dill for fresh chives, coriander or parsley though.
- Lemon - There isn't a traditional dressing on the salad leaves in this recipe. Instead we just added a squeeze of lemon juice, and let the other flavours shine through.
Step by step
One: Mix together the Cajun spice mix and sprinkle over the salmon fillets. Put them under the grill on a medium heat and cook for around 10 minutes, until cooked through and crispy.
Two: Put the couscous in a bowl with 100ml of boiling water, stir and leave to stand for 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon of harissa to the couscous and fluff up and stir with a fork.
Three: Divide the salad leaves between 2 bowls and squeeze the lemon juice on it and mix well. Top with the couscous.
Four: Add the salmon on top and then sprinkle on the feta and dill.
Why should you try it?
- A warming salad
- Just 419 calories a portion
- Full of healthy fats
- A filling salad
- Easy to adapt
Cajun spices
You could buy a packet of Cajun spice, but it's really easy to make yourself. If you make a big batch of it, it will keep in an air-tight container for months. We add it to chicken breasts, homemade potato wedges and even roasted vegetables.
The spice mix is made up of garlic, oregano, paprika, cayenne, thyme and onion. It has a bit of a kick from the chilli, but it is fairly mild and kids would like it too.
How to adapt it
The great thing about salads is that they are so easy to adapt. Here are some other ingredients that we think go really well with this salad:
- Roasted bell peppers and courgette (zucchini)
- Artichoke
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Olives
- Sunflower seeds
- Crispy onions
- Bacon bits
- Chickpeas
- Chopped celery
- Grated carrot
- Beetroot
- Roasted sweet potato
- Red onion
- Corn
- Boiled eggs
- Hummus
- Croutons
FAQs
If you have leftovers of this Cajun salmon, then flake it up and it's really good on pasta, rice, pizza, but our favourite way is in this salad for an easy lunch.
If you have leftovers of the whole salad, then it can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for 2 days. The fish won't be safe to eat after that.
Extra tips
- Add some extra texture by using kale and spinach and in salad mix.
- Swap the couscous for rice and the feta for grilled halloumi to change things up a bit.
- Make extra Cajun seasoning and keep in an air-tight container. Use on chicken, potato wedges and vegetables.
- Leave the cayenne out if you don't want any spice.
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Recipe
Cajun Salmon Salad
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, oregano, paprika and cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon each of salt, cayenne, dried thyme and onion powder
- 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
- 80 g dried cous cous
- 1 teaspoon harissa paste
- 160 g salad leaves
- 30 g feta crumbled
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped
- 0.5 Lemon (juice only)
Instructions
- Mix together the cajun spice mix and sprinkle over the salmon fillets. Put them under the grill on a medium heat and cook for around 10 minutes, until cooked through and crispy.
- Put the cous cous in a bowl with 100ml of boiling water, stir and leave to stand for 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon of harissa to the cous cous and fluff up and stir with a fork.
- Divide the salad leaves between 2 bowls and squeeze the lemon juice on it and mix well. Top with the cous cous.
- Add the salmon on top and then sprinkle on the feta and dill.
Notes
- Add some extra texture by using kale and spinach and in salad mix.
- Swap the couscous for rice and the feta for grilled halloumi to change things up a bit.
- Make extra Cajun seasoning and keep in an air-tight container. Use on chicken, potato wedges and vegetables.
- Leave the cayenne out if you don't want any spice.
Tonje
Yum! Can't wait to try this! Never thought to do cajun salmon, but it sounds amazing!
Natalie
Can't wait to make this salad. My family loves salmon but never use it to make a salad. Love the flavors and how healthy this is. Perfect! Thanks.
Alexandra
Loving the flavours here! This is such a delicious meal. The cajun spice works so well with the salmon!
Beth Neels
The textures and colors of this salad are exquisite! We ate it will a heel of Italian bread! Super! Can't wait to make it again!
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table
Loving this salad! It looks so flavourful. And I agree, it definitely bridges the weather gap - I can see this being really satisfying as a light winter meal as well.
Chris Collins
This truly is a fantastic bridge between summer and autumn! Can't wait to try the recipe :)
Beth
'Cajun Salmon' had my mouthwatering instantly! The feta cheese topping sold me on the amazing-ness of this salad!
Rebecca
yum! love all the flavors in this dish! I bet the harissa is such a great addition! ya
Chef Mireille
The salad looks so colorful and inviting. And I love that you used harissa, one of my all time favorite ingredients. Not to mention with that Cajun spice mix, I am sure this salad is delicious!
Megan Ellam
Love love love! How delicious. I am a huge salmon salad fan, and cajun is totally bonus!
Emma
That salmon looks perfect. I like that it’s a salad for cold rainy days like today too.
Sues
omg this looks SO good! I'm always looking for fun new salmon recipes and this one looks packed with flavor and deliciousness. Definitely adding to my must-make list!
Traci
OMgosh I love these Cajun flavors and that feta brings it all together. YUM! Thanks for sharing :)
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
We love having salads for dinner. This looks filling and delicious. Salmon is such a great protein to work with. The perfect winner dinner.
Amy | The Cook Report
I love salmon salad, this recipe looks so filling and delicious
Danielle Wolter
what an awesome salad! Such wonderful flavors with the cajun salmon. Definitely a recipe to make again!