Quinoa Salmon Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
When you’re looking for a quick, nutritious, and satisfying meal, this Quinoa Salmon Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ticks all the boxes! This dish is gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with healthy fats, protein, and fibre, making it the perfect addition to your weekly meal plan. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or a light lunch, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s simple to make—prep and cook time is just 40 minutes!
Quinoa Salmon Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
Gluten-free & Dairy-free
Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Serves 4
Ingredients
Salmon:
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon
Quinoa:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup quinoa
Creamy Dill Dressing:
- ½ cup cashews, soaked overnight and rinsed
- ½ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup water
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ¼ cup fresh dill
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
Salad:
- 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
- ¼ cup capers
- 2 cups cucumber, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- ½ cup fresh dill, minced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the fillets. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily when pulled apart with a fork. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Cook the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of quinoa and bring to a boil again. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Make the creamy dill dressing: In a food processor, blend the soaked cashews, olive oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, fresh dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Add water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, capers, diced cucumber, diced celery, and thinly sliced red onion. Add the cooked quinoa and flaked salmon. Drizzle the creamy dill dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve and Enjoy: You can serve immediately or refrigerate for later. Either way, this vibrant, hearty salad will surely satisfy!
Kid-friendly tip!
If you have little ones who aren’t into mixed salads, here’s how I serve this dish to my kids. I plate everything separately: Salmon cut into bite-sized pieces, quinoa with a dollop of melted butter, raw cashews, and diced cucumber and celery. It’s a fun, customizable way for them to enjoy the meal without feeling overwhelmed by ingredients they don’t want to mix!
This Quinoa Salmon Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing is Bursting with Nutritional Benefits
This Quinoa Salmon Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing is not only delicious but also offers a range of health benefits that make it a perfect addition to your meal plan. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key ingredients and their nutritional perks.
Salmon is an incredible source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, which are essential for heart health. These healthy fats help reduce inflammation in the body, support brain function, and promote healthy skin. Omega-3s are also linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Plus, salmon is high in high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall cell health.
Quinoa, often referred to as a “superfood,” is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce on their own. This makes it an excellent plant-based protein source. Quinoa is also high in fibre, which aids in digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and keeps you feeling full longer. Its rich magnesium content is beneficial for bone health and muscle function, as well as reducing the risk of heart disease.
The creamy dill dressing, made from soaked cashews, olive oil, and fresh dill, brings both flavour and health benefits. Cashews are a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and support healthy heart function. Olive oil, another source of monounsaturated fats, is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to promote healthy digestion. Fresh dill adds antioxidants to the mix, helping to combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. And when mixed all together, you’ve got yourself an incredibly delicious dressing that packs quite the nutritious punch!
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