Smoked Salmon Caesar Salad

Last Updated on June 1, 2023 by Kayla

One of my favorite foods on earth is smoked salmon. This smoked salmon Caesar salad will ROCK your taste buds, and it comes together in less than 15 minutes.

The combo of smoked salmon and avocado provides an abundance of healthy fats which will keep you feeling fuller, longer.

I recently tested this recipe while wearing my CGM sensor from Veri and was surprised to find this satisfying salad had virtually zero impact on my glucose levels.

I love the convenience of using a bagged Caesar salad kit, and to make it more glucose-friendly, I substitute the croutons for roasted chickpeas for a little extra protein and fiber, but that is totally optional!

How many calories in a Caesar salad?

Oftentimes, Caesar salad gets a bad rap for being one of the unhealthiest salads. With just a couple of modifications – like substituting half the dressing for fresh lemon juice like this recipe – you can slash the calories without sacrificing flavor.

A traditional, entrée Caesar salad packs almost 2-3 times the amount of calories in this recipe. Applebee’s grilled chicken Caesar salad for example is 980 calories, 61 grams of fat, 55 grams of carbs, and nearly 100% of the recommended daily value for sodium (including the breadstick and dressing).

Chili’s southwest chicken Caesar salad is 630 calories, and Wendy’s parmesan Caesar chicken salad is 480 calories (entrée salad plus one dressing packet). Panera is not far behind with their Caesar salad with chicken clocking in at 470 calories (not including a side).

As you can see, there can be quite a range – 470 to 980 calories – when it comes to calories in a Caesar salad from a restaurant chain. When ordering out, ask for the dressing on the side and lemon wedges, so you can manage how much dressing makes it onto your greens.

As a comparison, this smoked salmon Caesar salad recipe is 440 calories, 26 grams of protein, and only 16 grams of carbohydrates. It packs 30 grams of total fat – most of which are heart-healthy omega-3s and monounsaturated fats – the “good” kind!

Salmon Caesar Salad Ingredients

There are a few items that I pick up at Costco on a weekly basis. One of them is the Earthbound Farm Caesar salad kit. I could literally eat this every day!

It includes a seasoning packet that is dynamite! I always use only half the dressing and add lemon juice – I promise you won’t notice the difference! For more salad kit tips and combos, check out my post, “Are premade salad kits healthy?”

With this particular Costco salad kit, I portion out 3-4 salads. Use a salad container with compartments to separate your dressing, toppings, and chicken, and waa-laa! You’ve got a week’s worth of lunches.

Costco’s smoked salmon from Honey Smoked Fish Co. is a delicacy at our house. I literally salivate when I put it in the cart, and I can barely make it through the door before the package is open. It’s that good!

Smoked salmon tends to be high in sodium, so if this concerns you, read more about my opinion on salt.

Well, folks, I hope you enjoy this smoked salmon Caesar salad recipe. It’s one of my all-time favorites. It makes for a flavorful summer salad, yet it’s hearty enough for the winter season too. Either way, please enjoy and rate with 5 stars below!