BBQ Salmon BLT Salad features a homemade BBQ rub seared on the outside of a healthy salmon fillet. Quick, fresh, and filling!
As we’ve gotten older, my husband and I have been trying to eat healthier and make smarter food choices.
(Aging is for the birds, amiright?!)
Anyway, one of those “better choices” is eating lots of fresh and colorful meals like my BBQ Salmon BLT Salad.
BLT Salmon Salad
Think a BLT in salad form, topped with a sizzling piece of salmon that’s been rubbed with a smokey-sweet combination of smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
This plate-busting salad is nutritious for sure, but full of satisfying textures and flavors.
Because what fun is eating healthy if it doesn’t taste good?!
Drizzled with your favorite dressing, this filling, feel good recipe will be ready in under 30 minutes.
Start by placing bacon slices in a large cast iron or heavy bottomed skillet then turn the heat to medium and cook until the bacon is browned and crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate then remove all but 1 Tablespoon grease from the skillet. Chop the bacon once it’s cooled.
I love bacon in this salad because, well, do I really need to explain? HA! Honestly, I think a big part of successfully eating healthfully is being satiated when you put down your fork, and a little bit of bacon definitely does that for me.
Next, prepare your salmon fillets. This is wild-caught Alaskan salmon which has a ton of health benefits including being high in Omega 3 fatty acids.
In a small bowl combine the 4-ingredient homemade BBQ salmon rub that includes smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
Smokey, sweet, and spicy – it’s delicious!
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets then generously sprinkle with the spice rub and gently rub into the salmon.
Turn the heat under the skillet up to medium-high then add the fillets, skin-side up and sear for 2 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized.
Flip then sear for 2 minutes on the other side, and then place the entire skillet (make sure it’s oven-safe) into a 400 degree oven for 6 minutes. If your salmon fillets are bigger or smaller than 6oz just adjust the baking time accordingly.
While the salmon is cooking through, top two plates with lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, the chopped bacon, and then place the salmon on top.
Drizzle with your favorite salad dressing, then dig in!
This sizzling salad full of fresh ingredients and flavors making eating healthy fun and EASY. This entire dish took less than 20 minutes to cook. I hope you’ll give it a try — enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 salmon fillets, 6-8oz each
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 slices bacon
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1 avocado, diced
- Mixed greens
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add smoked paprika, salt, brown sugar, and pepper to a small dish then mix to combine and set aside.
- Place bacon in a large cast iron or other oven safe skillet then turn heat to medium and brown until bacon is crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain then chop once cool. Remove all but 1 Tablespoon bacon grease from the skillet then turn the heat up to medium-high.
- Squeeze lemon juice over salmon then sprinkle seasoning mix generously on top and rub to coat. Add salmon to skillet skin side up then saute for 2 minutes. Flip then saute for 2 minutes, and then place the entire skillet into the preheated oven and bake for 6 minutes.
- Divide lettuce between two plates then top with chopped bacon, tomatoes, avocado, and BBQ salmon. Serve with your favorite salad dressing.
Notes
- Spice rub from The Kitchn.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Delicious salad…… checks all the boxes. Easy, Healthy, satisfying and Hubby liked it, a lot !!
Fabulous! So glad it was a hit, Sandy. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Really love this recipe and I like to use your fresh basil vinaigrette(you suggested)as directed here In a food processor or blender add 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon honey, salt, and pepper then process while drizzling in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.
So so yummy. Thanks again for another amazing recipe. Ps. Costco carries wild caught salmon in their freezer section…pre cut fillets, for anyone asking😉
So happy you loved this recipe, Shawn! Thanks so much for your feedback!
Where do you buy your wild caught salmon?
This was delish! Even my husband who does not typically eat salmon thought it was great. I had a pound sockeye filet. A bit too much for two people, but spice rub fit perfectly. Used balsamic on the salad which was good. Thanks for the great recipe!
Made it last night and I think this will easily become my new favorite salad. Full of flavors and colors. Easy to customize with whatever veggies are on hand.
I’ve been looking for new ways to make salmon, so was very happy to see this recipe. Salmon is so versatile and goes well with a lot of flavor combinations, so I am always bored, then they serve it just plainly broiled or cooked in the restaurants… But this one is great and easy to make and will definitely go on top of my stack :) My husband felt it was a bit on the salty side, so might adjust the ratios of salt & sugar a bit next time.