July 4, 2026 · 5 min

Old Bay Salmon and Arugula Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing

Lunch5 min1626 cal / serving

This vibrant salad brings together seared salmon seasoned with Old Bay, tender arugula, sweet corn and juicy grape tomatoes. Golden croutons add crunch, while a creamy lemon dressing with a hint of Old Bay ties it all together. Quick-soaked shallots provide a mild bite, making every forkful interesting.

Ready in just 15 minutes, this dish is perfect for a light weeknight dinner. The salmon is cooked until crisp-skinned and flaky, then broken into pieces and tossed with the salad. It’s a satisfying meal that comes together in no time.


Recipe details

Lunch5 min1626 cal / serving2 servings

Nutrition per serving

Calories1626 kcalProtein34.2 gFat141.5 gCarbs57.4 gSugar25.9 gFiber3.5 gSodium1095 mg

Dietary labels

Gluten-free: noLactose-free: noDairy-free: no

Allergen check

Gluten / wheat: containsMilk / dairy: containsEgg: containsFish: containsShellfish: not detectedPeanut: not detectedTree nuts: not detectedSoy: not detectedSesame: not detectedMustard: not detectedCelery: not detectedSulphites: not detectedLupin: not detectedMolluscs: not detected

Values are calculated per serving from ingredient amounts and the ingredient nutrition reference per 100g. Allergen and diet labels use available ingredient metadata and name matching; always check product labels for strict diets or allergies. Some ingredient amounts or nutrition values were incomplete, so this is marked as a partial estimate.


Ingredients

Corn1 unit CornView ingredient guide
Sour Cream1.5 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guide
Croutons2 unit CroutonsView ingredient guide
Arugula2 ounce ArugulaView ingredient guide
Lemon1 unit LemonView ingredient guide
Grape Tomatoes4 ounce Grape TomatoesView ingredient guide
Mayonnaise2 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guide
Shallot1 unit ShallotView ingredient guide
Salmon10 ounce SalmonView ingredient guide
Saltteaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guide
Sugar0.25 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guide
Cooking Oil2 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guide
Black Pepperteaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guide

Instructions

  1. Pat the salmon dry with paper towels. Season all over with half the Old Bay seasoning, salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the salmon skin-side down and cook until the skin is crisp, 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, 1-2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate.
  2. While the salmon cooks, zest and quarter the lemon. Halve the grape tomatoes. Drain and rinse the corn. Peel and thinly slice the shallot. Soak the shallot in a small bowl of cold water.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the lemon zest, mayonnaise, sour cream, remaining Old Bay seasoning, sugar and the juice from half the lemon. Season with salt and pepper and whisk until smooth.
  4. Using a fork, break the salmon into large pieces. Add the arugula, tomatoes, corn, drained shallot and croutons to the bowl with the dressing. Toss until evenly coated. Divide the salad among shallow bowls, top with the salmon and serve with the remaining lemon wedges.

Recipe Tips

For best results, use a nonstick pan to cook the salmon so the skin gets crispy without sticking.

Soaking the shallot in cold water mellows its sharpness, making it more pleasant in the salad.

Feel free to substitute frozen corn (thawed) if fresh is not available.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of fish?

Yes, you can substitute salmon with another firm fish like trout or cod. Adjust cooking time as needed.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the salad and salmon separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add croutons just before serving to keep them crunchy.

Can I make this salad dairy-free?

Yes, use dairy-free sour cream and mayonnaise alternatives. The dressing will still be creamy and delicious.

DandyRecipes community

Rate and discuss this recipe

Your rating and comments help other DandyRecipes readers decide what to cook next.

Your recipe vote

No DandyRecipes user votes yet.

Recipe comments

0 DandyRecipes comments

No DandyRecipes comments yet.

More recipe ideas

12 similar recipes you might like

These suggestions are based on shared ingredients, meal type, and recipe metadata.