This Paleo Salmon Cobb Salad was made for me. When choosing a meal, I look for something both nutrient dense and, well, giant. This salad is loaded with healthy fats and protein, making it incredibly satisfying. It makes a super simple 30 minute meal or an easy meal prep for weekday lunches.
I love food and I have always had a big appetite. I am very confident that I can eat more than a male counterpart of equal size. My husband would argue otherwise, but I am constantly eating off of his plate when he doesn't finish his food. #noshame #preventfoodwaste
Salads are an obvious go-to for people like me. I love that I can load up on veggies while shamelessly eating a meal the size of my head. The art of eating slowly has always eluded me. Anytime I can enjoy a meal for longer than 6 minutes is usually a win.
I knew I would marry my husband the day I met him, despite the fact that he can't hold his own at a pie eating contest. The days after we met were just reinforcing what I already knew. He was my person.
With that being said, there was a magical moment in our first month of dating. It didn't involve kissing in the rain or a bed of rose petals (gag). This was the moment in which he had suggested that we take our giant salads, which we were eating out of mixing bowls, to be enjoyed in the hot tub.
Hot water and lettuce may not sound intuitively fun, but when you realize you have found some one strange enough to embrace your quirks, that, my friends, is priceless.
Benefits of Healthy Fats
There is a variety of fats in this salad, which is part of the reason it is so filling and satisfying. Fats help to stabilize blood sugar and support many biologic functions.
The omega-3 fats present in the cage-free eggs and wild caught salmon help to balance your omega-6 to omega-3 fatty ratio which can prevent inflammation.
Additionally, the avocado and the avocado oil used in the mayo are rich in monounsaturated fats can help improve insulin sensitivity and should be the bulk of our fat intake.
Saturated fat found in the bacon, eggs and salmon is important for brain growth and development, along with prevention of age-related neurodegeneration. Cholesterol and saturated fat make up much of the protective layer around out brain. These fats also have immune boosting benefits and play a role in protecting the liver.
Protein Needs
Protein is easily the most under consumed macronutrient. A we get older it becomes even more important. Adequate protein intake supports muscle development and maintenance. This maintenance of lean body mass allows us to do the things we love well in to our twilight years.
Protein is important for body composition and regulating hunger levels. Most healthy individuals need at least 1 g per POUND of body weight of protein for optimum health.
Picking A Paleo Dressing
There are few things quite as delicious as honey mustard on crisp romaine. It's the snap of the romaine and the sweet and tangy mustard that really hones in the happiness for me. It is a shame that most store bought honey mustard dressings are a sludge of soybean oil and corn syrup.
I created this super simple Maple Mustard Dressing as a healthier, homemade alternative. You can put it together in a matter of minutes and it has so many possibilities. It works well on for this paleo cobb salad, but it is also awesome for dipping vegetables and it makes a nice marinade for meat.
If you are low carb, you can use a low glycemic liquid sweetener to make this dressing, use a different dressing or just use a bit of olive oil with salt and pepper.
You can also find some store bought paleo salad dressings at Thrive Market or from Primal Kitchen.
Boiling The Perfect Egg
This way of cooking eggs is something I learned reading The Food Lab by Kenji Lopez. It produces the most perfect and easy to peel eggs every time. You can find more home cooking tips from Kenji here.
Time needed: 20 minutes.
How To Hard Boil An Egg
- Select the right eggs.
Very fresh eggs tend to be harder to peel so using eggs that are closer to the sell by date will help ensure that they do not stick to the shell.
- Bring water to a boil.
Fill a small pot with water and heat it until it begins to boil.
- Add the eggs.
Carefully add the eggs to the pot. Make sure they are completely submerged.
- Add ice.
After 30 seconds, add 10 ice cubes to the pot. Keep the burner on high and return the water to a boil.
- Cook for 11 minutes.
Allow eggs to cook for 11 minutes after the ice is added.
- Remove from heat and cool eggs.
Remove from heat. Carefully remove the eggs and rinse them under cool water. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes in the fridge.
- Peel the eggs.
Peel the eggs under running water with a colander in the sink to catch shells.
Meal Prep
This Salmon Cobb Salad is easily prepped and stored to eat later. Consider batch cooking these ingredients for an easy weekday lunch meal prep. You can scale the recipe based on your needs. Doubling the recipe will provide you with 4 lunches.
To prepare in advance:
- First batch cook the salmon. An easy option would be on the grill but you could also use the pan method described above.
- Buy precooked hard boiled eggs or boil some eggs ahead of time. Chop the eggs once cooled. You will need at least 1 egg per salad.
- Cook at least 2 pieces of bacon per filet of salmon that you're preparing. Chop the bacon.
- Prepare the dressing and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Prepare and chop all produce.
- Keep ingredients in separate airtight containers until ready to eat.
Related Recipes
- Paleo Maple Mustard Salad Dressing
- Strawberry Basil Balsamic Glazed Salmon
- Salmon Patties with Sundried Tomato Aioli
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating below. I would love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Salmon Cobb Salad
Ingredients
- 10 ounces Salmon Wild caught
- 1 Avocado Ripe
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes Halved
- 2 Head of romaine lettuce Chopped
- 4 Strips of bacon Cooked
- 2 Hard boiled eggs Chopped
- ¼ cup Maple Mustard Dressing See recipe in post or use preferred dressing
- 1 tbsp Avocado oil
- Pink Himalayan salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the salmon dry and slice into two pieces. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Begin heating the oil in a frying pan on medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the salmon skin side down. Allow the salmon to cook most of the way through on the skin side, then flip and sear the top. Cook time should be around 3-6 minutes per side depending on thickness and desired doneness.
- While salmon is cooking chop the veggies and the cooked bacon.
- Assemble the salad. Remove the cooked salmon from the pan and place on the top of salad and add the dressing.
Notes
- First batch cook the salmon. An easy option would be on the grill but you could also use the pan method described above.
- Buy precooked hard boiled eggs or boil some eggs ahead of time. Chop the eggs once cooled.
- Cook at least 2 pieces of bacon per filet of salmon that you're preparing. Chop the bacon.
- Prepare the dressing and store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- Prepare and chop all produce.
- Keep ingredients in separate airtight containers until ready to eat.
Great way to make a dairy free Cobb salad. I make it with a primal kitchen ranch or the maple honey mustard depending if I am eating low carb or not.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Is this the salmon recipe you made for graduation? It was delicious! I love this blog, Amanda. You're doing a great job with it.
Thank you, Pam!! No, this salmon recipe is it a little different. I did make it with the salmon you and Dan got from Costco!