This fresh smoked salmon cucumber salad packs all the flavor and is done in just 10 minutes. Serve it with whole wheat bread, baguette, or toast for a nourishing lunch or dinner.
Craving a fresh and balanced meal ready in no time? Look no further than this flavorful smoked salmon salad with a zesty lemon herb vinaigrette dressing. It is the ideal dish to fuel your body. To make it a filling meal, I serve it with whole-wheat bread or baguette to add some complex carbs.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Light and refreshing
- Easy to prepare
- Ready in 10 minutes
- Only requires a few ingredients
- Nutritious and protein-rich
Health benefits of smoked salmon cucumber salad
Smoked salmon cucumber salad is a refreshing and light dish, perfect for a healthy lunch or a light dinner. It also comes with several health benefits:
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids: Smoked salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which aid in maintaining heart health, reducing inflammation, and improving brain function.
- Low in calories: Cucumbers are low in calories and high in water content, making them a light and nutritious ingredient. Smoked salmon is also relatively low in calories.
- High in protein: Smoked salmon delivers high-quality protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues and maintaining muscle mass.
- Packed with vitamins and minerals: Cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium, while smoked salmon is rich in vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium.
- Low in carbs: This smoked salmon cucumber salad is low in carbohydrates, making it a good option for those following a low-carb or keto diet.
Ingredient notes
- Smoked salmon: Make sure to choose a high-quality smoked salmon that is fresh and has a firm texture. You can use cold-smoked or hot-smoked salmon in this recipe.
- Cucumber: I used English cucumbers in this recipe. They have fewer seeds and a mild flavor, so they work well in salads.
- Herb vinaigrette: This easy and quick lemon herb vinaigrette dressing rounds out the flavor profile of this fresh and bright salad.
Tips & substitutions
This protein-rich salad is easy to make and requires a few simple ingredients. Follow these tips and swap options to get the best result and make it your own:
- To peel or not to peel – If not using organic cucumbers, peel them before using them. Non-organic vegetables are often grown using pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals to control pests and weeds, which can leave residue on the surface of the vegetables.
- Use other types of fish – You can substitute smoked salmon with other smoked fish, such as trout or mackerel, for a different flavor.
- Make it a filling meal – If you are eating this salad as a main dish, serve it with (whole wheat) bread, baguette, or toast to add some complex carbs.
- Prepare in advance – Prepare the cucumber, smoked salmon, and herb vinaigrette in advance. But wait until just before serving to add the vinaigrette.
Instructions
Step 1: Slice the cucumber into strips with a mandoline or vegetable peeler. You can also use a vegetable spiralizer to create cucumber noodles or slice them into rounds.
Step 2: Arrange the cucumber on the plate.
Step 3: Flake the salmon and place it on the cucumber. Drizzle over the lemon herb vinaigrette and garnish with more herbs if you like.
Expert tip
Use a combination of hot-smoked and cold-smoked salmon for a more complex flavor. Hot-smoked salmon has a firmer texture and a more intense smoky flavor. Cold-smoked salmon is more delicate and has a milder flavor. Using both types of smoked salmon in the salad will create a more nuanced flavor profile.
What to serve with smoked salmon cucumber salad
This light salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that can be served as a light lunch or appetizer. To make it a filling meal, I have some serving suggestions for you:
- Toasted bread or baguette slices: Smoked salmon cucumber salad is delicious served with (whole-wheat) toasted bread or baguette. Try these homemade pita chips to add a bit of crunch and substance to the dish.
- Light soup: Serve the protein-rich salad with a creamy soup as a starter. This vegan broccoli soup, wild garlic potato soup, and low-carb leek potato soup complement the refreshing flavors of the salad.
- Fruit salad: A sweet salad like this stone fruit salad can be a refreshing and healthy dessert to follow the smoked salmon cucumber salad.
Recipe FAQs
You can use either cold-smoked or hot-smoked salmon for this recipe. Cold-smoked salmon is more delicate and has a milder flavor. Hot-smoked salmon has a firmer texture and a more intense smoky flavor.
You can substitute smoked salmon with other types of smoked fish. Trout, mackerel, or haddock are great substitutions for a different flavor.
Yes, you can prepare the cucumber and smoked salmon in advance but wait until just before serving to add the vinaigrette. This will help to keep the cucumber from getting too watery.
Be sure to taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more lemon juice, olive oil, herbs, salt, or pepper to suit your taste.
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📖 Recipe
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
For the salad
- 300 g smoked salmon, flaked (10 oz)
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 4 tablespoon lemon herb vinaigrette
Instructions
- Arrange the cucumber on the plate. Flake the salmon and place it on the cucumber.
- Prepare the lemon herb vinaigrette and drizzle over the cucumber and smoked salmon. Garnish with more herbs if you like, and serve.
Notes
- If not using organic cucumbers, peel them before using them. Non-organic vegetables are often grown using pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals to control pests and weeds, which can leave residue on the surface of the vegetables.
- You can substitute smoked salmon with other smoked fish, such as trout or mackerel, for a different flavor.
- Prepare the cucumber, smoked salmon, and herb vinaigrette in advance. But wait until just before serving to add the vinaigrette.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only calculated with the recipe calorie and nutrition calculator provided by verywellfit.com. The author of this website is not a nutritionist nor a doctor. All nutritional data provided in the recipes and correspondent blog posts are for informational purposes only. Do not use the information as nutritional or medical advice.
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