Cheese And Salmon Salad: Perfect Pairing Ideas

Salmon and salad is a delicious combination, but what type of cheese should you add to this dish? There are several options, including feta, goat's cheese, and blue cheese. For example, a Mediterranean-style salmon salad might include feta, olives, and avocado. Or, for a simple arugula salad, try adding crumbled goat's cheese and cold, flaked salmon with a creamy lemon garlic dressing. If blue cheese is your preference, this can be paired with avocado, arugula, and grilled salmon.

Feta cheese

Feta is a Greek cheese, often made from sheep's or goat's milk. It has a distinct tangy and salty flavour, which pairs well with the rich, fatty taste of salmon. The cheese also has a brittle texture, adding a nice crunch to the salad.

A simple salmon and feta salad can be made by tossing together salad greens, such as romaine lettuce or spring mix, with cucumber, tomato, and feta cheese. This can be topped with a grilled salmon fillet and a vinaigrette dressing. For a Greek-inspired salad, you could add olives, lentils, chickpeas, or roasted peppers.

For a more substantial meal, feta cheese can be added to a salmon salad with quinoa, almonds, and other vegetables. The cheese adds a nice creamy texture to the dish, and its tangy flavour pairs well with the other ingredients.

Goat cheese

Salmon, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 small clove garlic, minced (or 1/2 of a large one)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 oz. baby arugula (about 2 packed cups)
• 4 oz. cooked salmon
• 2 oz. soft goat cheese (chevre), crumbled

Dressing:

The dressing is the star of this recipe. It has a secret ingredient that helps emulsify it and adds a creamy texture without dairy. The ingredients include lemon juice, mayonnaise, kosher salt, and a bit of fresh minced garlic. Whisk these together in a large bowl, gradually drizzling in the olive oil while whisking vigorously until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.

Salad:

Add the arugula, cooked salmon, and crumbled goat cheese to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat. Serve on two plates for an entree or four for a side/first course.

Variations:

You can also add avocado and capers to the salad, as suggested by one person who tried the recipe. The recipe author also suggests that if you hate mayo, you can make the dressing without it, but you'll need to whisk vigorously right before drizzling it onto the salad to prevent separation.

Tips:

If you're preparing this ahead of time, it will keep in the fridge for about 3 days, but be sure to dress it just before serving.

Blue cheese

A Grilled Salmon Blue Cheese Salad is a tasty option for a quick and easy meal for one. The salad includes arugula, mushrooms, avocado slices, sliced almonds, and a vinaigrette dressing. The heat from the grilled salmon and asparagus slightly melts the blue cheese and wilts the other salad ingredients, creating a creamy texture.

A Black & Bleu Salmon Salad is another option, which includes a bed of lettuce topped with blackberries, blue cheese crumbles, candied nuts, and grilled salmon, all tossed with a balsamic dressing. This salad is versatile and can be customised with different proteins or store-bought dressing.

A Smoked Salmon Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing is a great choice for a starter or a light meal. This salad includes spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onions, hard-boiled eggs, smoked salmon, and a creamy blue cheese dressing. The blue cheese dressing is made with sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, hot sauce, and blue cheese crumbles.

Cream cheese

For a fun twist on the classic bagel and lox, try making a deconstructed version in salad form. Start with a base of arugula or mixed greens, and top with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, capers, and dill. Drape thin slices of smoked salmon or lox over the salad, and drizzle with a cream cheese dressing. For an extra crunch, add gluten-free bagel chips or croutons.

Salmon Salad Sandwiches

Salmon salad sandwiches are another tasty option for using cream cheese. Mix softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Then, fold in flaked salmon, shredded carrots, and chopped celery. Spread this creamy salmon salad onto whole wheat buns with lettuce and sliced tomatoes. You can also get creative with your toppings and bread choices.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing

For a tangy and salty dressing, try blending cream cheese with lemon juice, a small amount of mayonnaise, kosher salt, and minced garlic. Gradually add olive oil while whisking vigorously until the dressing becomes smooth and creamy. This dressing pairs perfectly with an arugula salad topped with cold, flaked salmon and crumbled goat cheese.

Canned Salmon Salad

If you're looking for a quick and easy option, canned salmon salad is a great choice. Mix softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Then, add canned salmon and chopped celery. Spread this mixture on a lettuce leaf and place it on a bun. You can also serve it on toast triangles or crackers for a tasty snack.

These ideas provide a delicious way to incorporate cream cheese into your salmon salad creations. Get creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavors to find your perfect combination!

Feta and walnuts

For a Mediterranean-inspired salmon salad, you could combine romaine lettuce, quinoa, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Adding walnuts to this mix will provide a nice crunch and a subtle sweetness. You can also experiment with different types of salad greens, such as leaf lettuce, endive, or radicchio.

Another option is to create a honey walnut salad with feta and raisins. This combination offers a mix of tangy and sweet flavours. You can roast walnuts with honey and add them to a salad of baby spinach, feta cheese, and raisins. The roasted honey walnuts give the salad an amazing crunch, making it a perfect lunch option or side dish.

If you're looking for a refreshing summer salad, try a watermelon, feta, and walnut combination. This salad is not only delicious but also quick and easy to prepare. You can let the flavours marinate for up to an hour to enhance the taste.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and dressings to create your own unique salmon salad with feta and walnuts. You can also try adding other nuts like almonds or even cranberries to give it a festive twist.

Frequently asked questions