Roasted salmon with quinoa, cucumbers, and herbs
Healthy Salmon Quinoa Salad
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Healthy Salmon Quinoa Salad
Roasted salmon with quinoa, cucumbers, and herbs
A balanced salad with roasted salmon, quinoa, crisp vegetables, and herbs that works well for dinner or prepared lunches.
20m
Prep Time
20m
Cook Time
40m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Salmon and quinoa are a strong combination because they make a salad feel complete without getting weighed down. The herbs and vegetables keep the bowl bright enough to stay appealing after a day in the fridge too.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs salmon fillet
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp chopped dill or parsley
OvenBake
Test Kitchen Pick
Sheet Pan
Helpful Tool
Why a good sheet pan helps here
The pan is doing more work here than it looks like. A sturdy, evenly heating sheet pan gives you better browning and fewer hot spots.
This recipe benefits from more even oven contact and easier cleanup.
- Promotes more even browning
- Useful across weeknight roasts and baking
A heavy rimmed sheet pan is one of the highest-use tools in almost any kitchen.
Shop sheet pan options for this recipeInstructions
- 1
Cook the quinoa and let it cool slightly.
- 2
Roast the salmon until just cooked through.
- 3
Toss the quinoa with cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- 4
Top with the salmon.
- 5
Serve warm or chilled.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Substitutions
QuinoaFarro
Farro adds chew but makes the salad less light and no longer gluten-free
DillParsley
Parsley is milder and works well if you do not love dill
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
This is especially good with extra herbs, so do not be shy there.
Use a fork to gently flake the salmon into larger pieces instead of shredding it too small.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Serve chilled or gently warm the salmon before adding.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 serving) · 4 servings
Calories430
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein31g
Carbohydrates23g
Fat22g
Fiber4g
Sugar3g
Sodium230mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use canned salmon?
- Yes, if convenience matters more than presentation.
- Can I swap quinoa for farro?
- Yes, though farro changes the bowl away from gluten-free.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.
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