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Ultimate Pan-Fried Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad: A Fresh & Healthy Twist on the Classic

Here comes my confession: I absolutely adore Caesar Salad. But what I love even more than a perfectly traditional Caesar, is a vibrant and exciting twist on the classic. You might recall the Skinny Chicken and Avocado Caesar Salad I shared some time ago? Well, consider this its highly anticipated, and dare I say, *even better* successor. This recipe takes everything you love about Caesar and elevates it with the addition of succulent salmon and creamy avocado.

After indulging in a parade of sweet treats and decadent desserts recently, I found myself experiencing a serious ‘salad withdrawal’. My body was craving something fresh, satisfying, and packed with wholesome goodness. That’s where this Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad comes in – a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that satisfies both the craving for a hearty meal and the desire for something light and revitalizing.

Why This Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad Stands Out

The star of this dish, beyond the crisp cos lettuce, is undoubtedly the perfectly pan-fried salmon. Golden-brown on the outside and tender within, these salmon fillets are a truly exquisite addition to any salad, providing a rich, flaky texture and a boost of healthy omega-3s. But the magic doesn’t stop there. We elevate this Caesar with creamy, ripe avocado slices, adding a luxurious smoothness that beautifully complements the other components. Then, there’s the satisfying crunch of homemade croutons and the irresistible tang of shaved Parmesan cheese – classic Caesar elements that are simply non-negotiable.

My second, equally enthusiastic confession is my profound love for a perfectly runny poached egg crowning the top of this magnificent salad. The rich, golden yolk, when gently broken, creates an impromptu, creamy sauce that melds with the dressing, taking every bite to a new dimension of deliciousness.

Breaking Culinary Norms: Salmon & Egg Together?

Initially, I admit, I harbored some hesitation about combining salmon with an egg in a Caesar salad. It felt a little unconventional. However, then I remembered the classic Niçoise Salad, which famously pairs tuna (another oily fish) with hard-boiled eggs, among other delicious ingredients. Furthermore, a traditional Caesar dressing often contains anchovies, a key ingredient that provides that distinctive umami depth. Considering these precedents, it became clear that the combination of fish and egg is not only permissible but, in many cases, absolutely delightful!

So, putting aside any culinary purism, I decided to give this pairing a go. And I am so incredibly glad I did! The flavors marry beautifully, creating a symphony of tastes and textures that is truly unforgettable. It was such a revelation that I simply had to share this recipe with all of you.

Effortless Gourmet: Making Your Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad

Despite its gourmet appearance, this Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Don’t let the list of components intimidate you; each step is quite simple, and many can be done simultaneously, making for a truly efficient cooking experience. The primary cooking task is perfectly pan-frying the salmon fillets, which takes mere minutes.

The Key Components & How to Prepare Them

Let’s break down the simple steps to assemble this spectacular salad:

Crispy Croutons: Whether you prefer to make them from scratch or opt for store-bought convenience, croutons are essential for that satisfying crunch. To make your own, simply cube some ciabatta or sourdough bread, drizzle with olive oil, and oven grill (broil) them until golden and crisp. This adds an extra layer of freshness and texture that elevates the entire dish.

Perfectly Pan-Fried Salmon: This is easier than you think! Season your skinless salmon fillets with garlic powder and a pinch of salt. Heat a non-stick pan with a touch of olive oil over medium-high heat. Place the salmon fillets in the hot pan, searing for a few minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden crust and are cooked through to your preference. The key is not to overcook them, keeping them moist and flaky.

Crispy Bacon Bits: Diced bacon adds a delightful smoky, salty counterpoint. Cook the bacon in the same pan used for the salmon (after removing the salmon) until it’s wonderfully golden and crispy. This step also infuses a bit of bacon flavor into the pan, which can be scraped up and added to the dressing if desired.
The Marvel of Poached Eggs: A runny poached egg is what truly elevates this salad from great to extraordinary. While the bacon cooks, you can boil or poach your eggs to your desired doneness. For a perfect poached egg, bring a small pot of water with a splash of white vinegar to a gentle simmer. Create a whirlpool with a spoon, then crack an egg gently into the center. The swirling water helps the egg white wrap neatly around the yolk, creating that beautiful, uniform shape. Cook until the whites are set but the yolk remains deliciously runny.

Assembling Your Masterpiece

While all these delicious components are coming together, you can begin arranging your salad. Start with a bed of fresh, crisp cos lettuce. Once your salmon, bacon, and eggs are ready, it’s time to bring everything together. In a large bowl, gently toss the lettuce with some of our lightened-up Caesar dressing. Then, artfully arrange the crispy salmon fillets, golden bacon bits, creamy avocado slices, crunchy croutons, and generous shavings of Parmesan cheese over the dressed lettuce. Finally, delicately place that perfectly poached egg right on top.

The Lightened-Up Caesar Dressing

No Caesar salad is complete without its iconic dressing, and ours is designed to be a lighter alternative without compromising on flavor. While it might not be as low in fat as the dressing in our Chicken Caesar recipe, it is significantly lighter than many traditional, heavier Caesar dressings. Made with a blend of whole egg mayo, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), olive oil, fresh garlic, a hint of anchovy, lemon juice, and grated Parmesan, this dressing is creamy, tangy, and utterly addictive. It perfectly coats every leaf of lettuce and enhances the flavors of the salmon and avocado, creating a harmonious and balanced bite.

Once assembled, generously drizzle on the remaining dressing. Then, with a joyful anticipation, gently crack open that perfectly poached egg, allowing its golden yolk to spill out and mingle with the dressing. Serve immediately with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice, and prepare to be transported to a delightful Greek summer holiday, where fresh, vibrant flavors reign supreme. Every forkful offers a medley of crispy, creamy, tangy, and rich sensations.

Why You’ll Love This Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad

Healthier Twist: This salad incorporates nutrient-rich salmon and healthy fats from avocado, making it a more wholesome meal than a traditional Caesar. The dressing is also lightened up.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of crispy pan-fried salmon, creamy avocado, salty bacon, tangy Parmesan, and a rich poached egg creates an incredible depth of flavor.
Satisfying & Filling: Thanks to the protein from salmon and eggs, plus healthy fats from avocado, this salad is incredibly satisfying and will keep you full for hours.
Easy to Make: Don’t be fooled by its gourmet appearance; this recipe is straightforward and can be on your table in about 30 minutes.
Versatile: While perfect as is, you can easily customize it by adding other greens, vegetables, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for a kick.

This Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, thoughtfully combined, can create something truly extraordinary. It’s the perfect dish for a healthy lunch, a light dinner, or when you simply crave something fresh and incredibly delicious. Give it a try, and I guarantee it will become a cherished recipe in your culinary repertoire.

If you love salmon just as much as me, try these other fantastic recipes:

Smoked Salmon and Avocado Grilled Cheese
Goats Cheese and Smoked Salmon English Muffin
Lemon Butter Garlic Salmon
Easy Honey Garlic Salmon

Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad on a platter

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4.89 from 9 votes

Salmon and Avocado Caesar Salad

By Karina

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 2 Serves

Crispy pan-fried Salmon fillets meet Caesar salad for a twist on the traditional! Easy to make with creamy avocado slices, crunchy croutons, the tang of shaved parmesan cheese, a perfect runny poached egg on top and a lightened-up Caesar dressing!

Ingredients

Salad:

▢ 1/2 cup cubed ciabatta or sourdough
▢ 5 oz x 2 fresh salmon fillets skin off
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 pinch salt
▢ 1/2 medium lemon juiced
▢ 1/4 cup diced bacon
▢ 2 large eggs poached or boiled
▢ 2 heads cos lettuce washed and dried
▢ 1 medium avocado sliced
▢ ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese

Dressing:

▢ 2 tablespoons whole egg mayo full fat or reduced fat
▢ 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream full fat or reduced fat
▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
▢ 1 clove garlic crushed
▢ 1 fillet anchovy finely chopped
▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice a lemon
▢ 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
▢ 1 pinch salt and pepper for seasoning

Instructions

Preheat the oven to grill/broil settings on medium – high heat. Place the cubed bread onto an oven tray; drizzle with olive oil (or spray with cooking oil spray) and bake in the oven (on middle shelf) until crispy.
Rub the salmon fillets with garlic powder and salt. Heat a

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with a drizzle of olive oil and fry salmon until golden on both sides and cooked to your liking. Remove the salmon; squeeze the lemon juice over each fillet and set aside onto a warm plate. Add the bacon to the same pan and fry until golden and crispy.
While the bacon is frying, boil or poach your eggs to your liking (and don’t forget to check your bread in the oven)! If poaching, bring a small pot of water and 2 teaspoons of white vinegar to a gentle boil over medium heat. Create a fast whirlpool in the centre of the water with a spoon, and while that water is swirling, crack your egg (one at a time) into the middle. Once the whites begin to set, spoon some water over the yolk until it begins to change in colour with a cloudy white top, and remove the egg immediately with a slotted spoon.
To make the Caesar Dressing:
Combine mayo, yogurt, oil, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice and parmesan in a small bowl, magic bullet blender, small blender or a small food processor. Mix together well, or blend if using a blender, until well combined; add salt and pepper to your tastes, and mix/blend again until smooth. Taste test.
Assemble Salad:
Combine lettuce with the salmon and bacon; avocado slices; shaved parmesan cheese; and croutons. Pour over the dressing; mix well to combine; place the eggs on top and serve!

Notes

Nutrition calculated for 2 serves, but this salad is VERY filling and could easily be split into 4 serves.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!