You’ve tried tuna salad and chicken salad, but have you ever eaten salmon salad? You can make this healthy high-protein lunch with leftover salmon or poach it in the microwave in two minutes!

Chilled Salmon Salad
If you need a healthy salad loaded with omega-3s, you’ll love this easy salmon salad. It only takes 5 minutes to make! I love it on toasted sourdough bread or everything bagels, but there are so many ways to eat it. I poach a piece of salmon in the microwave, but you can also make it with my air fryer salmon or baked salmon. Then flake the fish, and add celery, red onions, just a little mayo, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Why You’ll Love This Salmon Salad
When I was testing this recipe, I was surprised that my husband, Tommy, tried some and proceeded to eat half the bowl. He hates salmon (or so he says!), but he devoured this salad. I can’t wait for you to try it!
- Great for all dietary restrictions: It’s dairy-free, gluten-free and low-carb.
- High Protein: The most satiating macro, this salad will fill you up and keep you full.
- Easy: Just 5 ingredients, not counting salt and pepper.
- Quick: Under 10 minutes to make.
- Great for meal prep! Make it ahead for lunch for the week.

Ingredients
- Salmon: You’ll need a half-pound salmon fillet.
- Vegetables: Chop celery and red onion.
- Lemon: Juice half of a lemon.
- Mayonnaise: This salad with mayo only uses a tablespoon since salmon is naturally oily. I used regular mayo since it’s such a small amount, but light mayo works too.
- Salt and Pepper for seasoning
How to Make Salmon Salad
- Cook Salmon: To make this quick, I cook the salmon in the microwave. Just cover it and microwave it for about 2 minutes. If you make it in a skillet or pan, sear the salmon about 4 to 5 minutes on each side over medium-high heat. If you prefer the oven, bake 425F 10 to 12 minutes. You can also use leftover cooked salmon. Once done, flake it with a fork and let it cool.
- Make the Salad: Put the fish, onion, and celery in a large bowl, stir in the lemon juice and mayonnaise, and season with salt and pepper.
How to Serve
- Make a salmon salad sandwich on bagels, toasted sourdough bread, or oat rolls.
- Wrap up the salad in whole-grain or corn tortillas or grain-free wraps.
- Lettuce Wraps: Serve it in large lettuce leaves, endive, or collard greens.
- Serve the fish over spring mix or lettuce and add extra veggies, like avocado, cucumber, or cherry tomatoes.
- Salmon Salad Bowl: Top your favorite grain, like quinoa or brown rice, with the fish mixture, add some chopped vegetables, and drizzle with red wine vinegar.
- Eat this dish as a snack on rice crackers.
- Salmon Salad Pasta: Mix the fish with whole wheat pasta and a little more mayonnaise.
Salmon Recipe Variations
- Fresh Salmon: You can also use frozen salmon – just thaw it in the fridge the day before you want to make it. You could also use canned salmon, but this recipe is so much tastier with fresh fish.
- Protein: If you don’t love salmon, substitute it with canned tuna or diced or shredded chicken.
- Mayo: Sub Greek yogurt for mayonnaise.
- Onions: Swap red onions or green onions for shallots.
- Tangy Flavor: Stir in some Dijon mustard, kalamata olives or capers.
- Fresh Herbs: Mix in fresh parsley, fresh dill, or chives.
- Vegetables: Add chopped bell pepper, broccoli florets, or cucumber.
- Crunch: Add chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts.
- Seasoning: Sprinkle in more seasoning, like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, or everything bagel seasoning.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
FAQ
Is canned salmon cooked?
Yes, canned salmon is cooked. This recipe can me made with canned salmon, or raw salmon which you cook 2 minutes in the microwave. Leftover salmon also works here.

More Salad Recipes You’ll Love
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Tuna Salad Wraps
- Arugula Salmon Salad with Capers and Shaved Parmesan
- Salmon Avocado Salad
- Chickpea Tuna Salad
Salmon Salad Recipe

Ingredients
- 1/2 pound raw skinless salmon fillet
- 1/3 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 lemon, juice of
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the salmon in the microwave, covered about 2 minutes until cooked through, or use leftover cooked salmon.
- Flake with a fork and let it cool.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well, refrigerate up to 4 days.
- Serve over toast, in lettuce cups, on a salad, etc.
If using canned tuna, how much do you need?
If you can use fresh fish, you should!! So much more delicious than using canned fish. I topped it on toast with some capers.
This was good for something different. Certainly easy.
Hi, does this recipe really make 3.5 cups? It doesn’t seem like with the amounts listed on the ingredient list will make that much . Just planning ahead thanks
I was wondering the samething another comment says she doubled the recipe and got 3 servings that way.
eating now and delicious!
It was quick to make and great to eat. Thank You!
Very Good! nice use of leftover Salmon
Could I substitute canned tuna?
Delicious
Fixed this for supper tonight as I wanted something light. It was very good, but for me, I will use less red onion. I’m not sure if I had a strong onion, or that I don5 care for raw onions. Other than that, it’s a five star!
I really enjoyed this salad. I used low fat greek yogurt, which made it 0 points with WW. Thanks for the recipe.
Could I sub the mayo for Greek yogurt?
Sorry! I just read the variations. I apologize. 🤦🏾♀️
I made this Salmon Salad for dinner last night and it was excellent. I baked the salmon and used Mrs. Dash Onion & Herbs ( no sodium) , then just followed the rest of the recipe as written. Will definitely have this again.
Super easy and incredibly delicious!! I paired mine today with protein pasta added a little extra lemon and dill. Tomorrow I may do a lettuce wrap and spice a little differently. This will be a meal prep staple for me!
Perfect!
Another winner! I doubled the recipe and it yielding three 5oz. servings. Shared with friends and we all loved it!
I have been making salmon salad for years. Super easy, great light lunch on crackers. or even a snack with friends.
Easy and delicious!
Beyond delicious. My favorite new lunch!