“I normally don’t like leafy salads, but this salad is really good!” . . . unexpected words coming from my iceberg-lettuce-loving husband when I prepared this Blood Orange and Salmon Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette. I love it when that reaction happens!
I realize that we’re still in the midst of winter and that I don’t have fresh lettuce growing in my gardens. “Slim pickins'” ring true when it comes to what’s currently in my raised garden beds. So I have to confess that during my non-gardening months, I have to toss my ‘buy and eat local’ philosophy temporarily out of the kitchen. I have to have fresh salads, fruits, and vegetables throughout the year! Maybe I was a rabbit in a previous life. Just saying’!
After eating heavier, rib-stickin’ comfort foods and staring out at grey skies, my cravings for something more fresh, light, crunchy, and bright just escalates! A main entree salad that delivers its promise of more lightness into your recipe repertoire.
And yes, I am on a constant diet, so I need a salad fix that has some heft to it so that I’m not hungry after 15 minutes. My salads have to satisfy appetites. The ‘meal’ salads that I enjoy are more than lettuce. They are chock full of a protein such as chicken or fish, fruits, other vegetables, nuts, and cheeses dressed with an interesting vinaigrette!
This Blood Orange and Salmon Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette delivers in all of these requirements PLUS flavor to boot!
In keeping with my approach to seasonal cooking and baking, blood oranges + pomegranate bring a tangy and sweet combo flavor boost to this delicious salad. I adore the beautiful color impact that they add too! And the vinaigrette is one that you’ll want to drink all by itself!
Add some sweetened pecans and either crumbled goat or Italian gorgonzola cheese because a good salad, no a great salad, always, ALWAYS includes cheese and nuts.
Don’t skimp on main meal salads . . . you won’t be hungry later but will feel satisfied and happy that you ate such a healthy meal.
I hope that you try and enjoy this Blood Orange and Salmon Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette!
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Gather all of your vinaigrette ingredients:
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About 4 blood oranges will produce a ½ cup of juice. Use more or less of what you prefer.
.Grill the salmon and plate a bright, colorful presentation!
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Blood Orange and Salmon Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 - 3 salmon filets, skinned and boned
- 1 - 2 bags of spring/Italian leafy lettuce (or buy separately and chop)
- 1 blood orange, peeled, pith removed, sections separated
- 1 bunch green onions, sliced (include the green stems if you like, since they are edible)
- 1 avocado, skin removed, pitted, and sliced and cubed
- 1 cup pomagranate ariels
- 1 cup sweetened pecans
- 1 cup crumbled goat or Italian gorgonzola cheese
Vinaigrette Ingredients
- ½ cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tsp. dijon mustard
- 1 very large clove of garlic, minced
- 3 Tbsp. minced green onions
- 2 - 3 Tbsps. honey
- ½ tsp. freshly-cracked sea salt
- ¼ tsp freshly-cracked black pepper.
Instructions
- Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients together (can be prepared ahead of time).
- Mix all salad ingredients together.
- Grill salmon for 5 minutes on each side.
- Place a bed of mixed salad ingredients on a platter or individual plates.
- Place salmon filets on top of the platter or on individual plates of salad.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and serve immediately.
We hope that you’ll enjoy our other fish recipes
that we’ve shared on LBVC!
I love this recipe. I am going to pin it to the Fish Friday Foodies board and share it on the fb page. Thanks.
Hi Wendy, this is one of my favorite ways to prepare salads and healthier food. I’m glad that you enjoyed it!
Roz
Love blood orange!!! Sounds yummy!!
Thank you Deanna! This was such a fun theme for Sunday Supper, wasn’t it? Nice to meet you!
Roz
This dressing really does sounds good. And anything that convinces someone to switch from iceberg lettuce to green salad has to be a good thing.
Yes, thank you, this is a delightful vinaigrette that you can tweak any way that you like, Frank. And if my husband likes it (who also only prefers Ranch dressing), than that’s an endorsement. Thanks for stopping by!
Roz
That a beautiful salad and as your husband attests, Tasty!! On my list to try!
Thank you so much, Terri!
Ciao,
Roz
I’m glad my husband isn’t the only one who makes these sorts of comments! LOL. Your salad is glorious—from the marvelous vinaigrette to those amazing salmon fillets! I want to dive right in!
Our husbands are two of kind, huh, Liz? Hope all is well in Indy!
Ciao,
Roz
Delicious looking meal Roz – even the salad looking very good and the pomagranate gives it a nice pop of color.
Thanks Larry, I like the color too!
Such a beautiful salad, love all the components. I could easily enjoy this several times a week and never tire of it.
Thank you Cheri. I agree!
Ciao,
Roz
Looks beautiful and sounds delicious – that dressing in particular sounds so good!
Thanks Caroline! I don’t know what is better, the salmon or the vinaigrette!
Ciao,
Roz
My kind of salad..love blood orange and the salmon steak looks fabulous!
Thank you Angie; my kind of salad too! I appreciate your wonderful blogging friendship and your unending inspiration!
Ciao,
Roz
I love the sweet-savory combo of salmon and orange – the salad looks fantastic;
Thank you so much Lynne! It was truly tangy delicious and satisfying at the same time!
Ciao,
Roz
We were definitely on the same wavelength this week! I love the addition of salmon in your hearty salad. The blood oranges are so good this year!
I love it when I’m on the same wave-length ( as you said in your comment ) with other fabulous cooks!
Thanks for the compliment, Renee!
Ciao,
Roz
This is beautiful! I’ve never tried orange and salmon together and I can’t wait to check it out!
I hope that you enjoy it if you prepare this delicious salmon salad!
Ciao,
Roz
What a gorgeous salad!
Thank you Pam! It was fun to prepare too!
Ciao,
Roz
Your recipes are always a feast for the eyes, Roz, and this one is no exception! It is such a beautiful salad. The vinaigrette sounds delicious, too! I love salads with nuts and cheese. I am also always looking for a new way to cook salmon. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Thank you SO much, Shari. It’s my pleasure to experiment and then share new recipes that everyone will love!
Ciao,
Roz
Such a great salad, Roz! Citrus with salmon is such a great combo and using blood oranges amps up the wow factor in presentation. I, too, try buy as much local produce as I can but that strategy only works for so long. With 5 months in which nothing grows, we have to either buy imported vegetables from time to time or hop on a plane. For these filets, I’d buy the best salad greens that I could get my hands on, no matter the time of year, and enjoy. 🙂
Hi John,
I agree about citrus combined with salmon — such a great pair!
Ciao,
Roz
questo dressing è fantastico, adoro le arance !Buon weekend Roz, un abbraccio !
Grazie mille, bella amica, Chiara! I appreciate your kind compliment and visits very much!
Buon giorno,
Roz
Looks great! I love salmon on a salad.
Thanks Sue! I love salmon too!
Ciao,
Roz
Love this Blood Orange and Salmon Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette recipe…looking forward to sitting down and eating it
Hi Scott,
First of all, thank you for visiting today and taking the time to comment. If you make this recipe, please do let me know, take a photo and I’ll be so happy to share it with the rest of my wonderful ‘family’ here on La Bella Vita Cucina.
Ciao,
Roz
The husband just brought over a small salmon fillet that be perfect in a salad like this. That vinaigrette sound awesome! Can’t wait to try it!
Made this for supper last night. We both enjoyed it and are ready to make it again. Delicious!! Thanks for sharing so a great salad!
Oh MJ! I am so thrilled to hear that your husband and you enjoyed this salad with salmon. With your talent in the kitchen and all of your knowledge about food preparation, this is a high honor for me to know that you enjoyed it! Thank you for letting me know!
Ciao,
Roz
You know you’re onto a winner when your recipe converts a non-salad eater! Not hard to see why- that blood orange dressing looks divine!