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.
this looks delicious Kristin! Where do you typically buy Salmon in the Des Moines area? I’ve had some bad luck lately with it being not so fresh tasting. Thanks!
I bought these filets at Whole Foods and they were really, really good. We’ve been getting our sushi-grade fish at Waterfront Market though. So fresh!
Hi! Random question that I hope you can answer! Where is your purse from?! I am in transition from a diaper bag to purse, but can’t find one that works! Thanks so much!!
It’s a Michael Kors – I got it last year from Von Maur!
Both of the “kids” look so precious with their glasses! ;)
This is such a beautiful and colorful meal. I wish I could convince my husband to eat fish because I hate to make it for just me. But the next time he’s out of town I will definitely have to give salmon a try with that spice rub- it sounds amazing!
You could try the rub with shrimp or even chicken!
I really really wish I could learn to like salmon because there are so many delicious looking recipes.
I can’t wait to try this recipe, it looks delicious! Also, I REALLY need to learn how to make sushi!! I LOVE IT.
Which brewery did you guys stop at? Was it good? Recommend?
We stopped at Court Ave for lunch!
I love a good salmon salad (PINNED)! And I love your life motto. So perfect :)
Looks like a wonderful way to spend the day. I want to make sushi!!!!
My twin boys are exactly one month older than Lincoln and we just bought a Science Center/Zoo combined family membership–it might be worth it for you too. You’d think this age wouldn’t get much out of the Science Center but they have a whole “toddler town” area and my boys can happily run around in there for a couple of hours. We’ve already been 3 times since the first of the year, and helps get us out of the house in the winter!
Our dinner plans have just changed… P.S. We played outside all day on Sunday and I had an idiotic grin on my face the whole time.
That spice rub sounds delicious!
The salmon on this looks fantastic. Can’t wait to try it!
One mommy tip, take a look at how much an annual membership to your science center is. We always took memberships when our son was little (Museums, Zoos, etc). The cost is usually not more than two or so full admission visits. With a membership you can come and go as you please, and spend as much, or as little time as you want. Less guilt popping in for a short visit when it is covered by a membership pass. They are a nice option when you need to get out, and are a great place to burn off some energy. And, bonus, many memberships offer reciprocal discounts to museums (zoos-aquariums) when you travel. Many times granting 50% – free admission to hundreds of partner centers around the country.
And… most science museums/centers belong to a nationwide group. So your membership in Des Moines will get you into science museums in St. Paul, Boston and even Bemidji, Minnesota!
This looks really delicious. Haven’t had a salmon BLT in ages. Must make again