I know… easy as pie and something you just don’t think about all the time, right ? You have probably made tuna salad a thousand times, but have you ever made Salmon Salad? And what happens when you add some Dill? Deliciousness results. You’ll have to add a splash of fresh lemon too – and then wha-la you have a healthy protein filled yummy lunch (or dinner) waiting for you. All you need to do is add half a pita / some tomatoes / lettuce and you are off to the races with an orange or an apple!
What’s the most important part of this recipe?
Do me a favor. Next time you are anywhere and thinking – I’m going to buy this canned salmon please READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY. Learn from me. DO NOT under ANY circumstance buy salmon that doesn’t say boneless and skinless on the can. You don’t want to be there when you open a can that isn’t boneless and skinless. Trust me – I still can visualize that mess right now. UGH. ICK. Not good.
Ok – so you got yourself some boneless skinless salmon – good for you – open it up / drain it. I did 3 small containers – as I’ll be feeding the hubster and why not make enough for a bunch of lunches while I’m at it?
I get my canned salmon from Costco. I suspect it is the most cost effective option…although I haven’t recently compared prices. I did – as you saw – buy some salmon (I think it was from TJ’s) that was NOT boneless / skinless … that salmon was probably cheaper for obvious reasons…
What all should I add to the salmon?
When I wrote this recipe out the first time – I’d been receiving farmer shares or community supported agriculture (CSA Shares). The farmer had given me some fresh dill – so I chopped that up – I just love dill and salmon. If you don’t – now worries – maybe try some parsley ? But do try to use fresh herbs. They really make such a difference in your food.
What is a tuna – er um salmon salad without celery and onion? I diced up 3 large celery stalks and a small handful of green onions. I also chopped a red pepper – but only used like 2/3 of it. (balance went into egg cups) It looked like a lot of veg – but remember – bulking up your food with vegetables will help you feel full and veggies are essentially calorie free…. As I say, ain’t no one got fat eatin fruits and vegetables…am I right?
Next up – some light mayo. Thank God for my MIL – who imports my Hellmans for me from Chicago. (Amazon also carries it now!) Don’t add too much mayo. 1. it’s high in calories and 2. Hubster doesn’t like a lot of mayo… But as always, do what you like in your kitchen!
Then – lemon – juice of one lemon – add it in – along with some S&P. Stir it up. The acid helps the flavors meld and it’s fish – fish loves lemon. Taste. Good ? More Dill ? More mayo?
My mom used to add a dolop (1 tsp) of dijon – but think that actually goes better in tuna salad – so I skip that here with the salmon. Obviously you could do this whole recipe with tuna also…
I put this into the fridge – ready and waiting… It will be super easy to grab lunch when the ol’ hunger strikes! Protein and veggies for the win!
Update: Made this again – and I went heavy with the lemon. It was so so good. Sat down to write some more posts and ate my yummy sammich. Used Dave’s killer bread with 21 grains (Gasp ! purchased) and added some Arugula (which makes everything fancy) and my lunch was delicious. Just in case you needed a lil more encouragement. ha.
Salmon Salad with Dill
Ingredients
- 3 Cans Boneless Skinless Salmon
- 1-2 Tbl Fresh Dill – chopped (or sub 1 tsp dried dill)
- 3 Stalks Celery – chopped
- ½ C Onion – diced (or Green Onion)
- ⅔ Red Pepper – diced
- ½ Lemon – juiced
- ½ C Mayonnaise – or less… use your preferred amount
- S&P
Instructions
- Open and drain the liquid out of the canned salmon.
- Clean and chop the vegetables & fresh dill if you have some.
- Combine vegetables, dill, salmon and mayonnaise in a large bowl.
- Shake in some S&P
- Squeeze half a lemon over the salmon and stir up.
- Taste the salmon. Consider whether your seasoning is correct and adjust as needed.