When summer heat hits, nothing beats a light, refreshing salad that captures the season’s bounty. The Salmon and Dill Panzanella Salad combines tender salmon, crisp vegetables, crusty bread, and fragrant dill in a zesty vinaigrette, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether for a leisurely lunch or a light dinner outdoors, this salad is the ideal choice for celebrating summer.
Fresh, Flavorful Salmon
Salmon takes center stage in this dish. Grilled, baked, or poached, it adds a boost of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, making the salad both tasty and nutritious. Its delicate flavor pairs wonderfully with the fresh vegetables and herbs, creating a harmonious blend that brings the whole salad together.
The Heart of Panzanella
What sets this salad apart is the addition of panzanella, a classic Italian bread salad. In this version, crusty bread soaks up the tangy vinaigrette and juicy tomato flavors. It becomes soft and tender while maintaining just the right amount of crunch, adding a hearty, satisfying element to the salad that will keep you full and content.
A generous sprinkle of fresh dill brings a burst of herbal fragrance to the salad. Dill’s bright, delicate flavor complements the rich salmon and tangy vinaigrette, adding a refreshing contrast to the heartiness of the bread and vegetables. It ties the salad together, making each bite an enjoyable experience.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This Salmon and Dill Panzanella Salad works for any summer occasion. It’s an ideal lunch or light dinner and a stunning dish for impressing guests. With its vibrant colors, fresh flavors, and satisfying textures, it’s the perfect way to showcase the best of summer produce. Whether dining solo or entertaining friends, this salad is sure to impress.
Salmon Dill Panzanella Salad
Ingredients
For the marinade/dressing:
- 2 poblano peppers
- 1 jalapeno chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- ½ cup fresh dill chopped
- ½ cup parsley chopped
- ½ cup basil chopped
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
For the salad:
- 1 ½ lbs salmon cut into 4 pieces
- 1 ciabatta loaf
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ cup basil chopped
- 2 cups kale chopped
- 1 leek thinly sliced
- 1 zucchini thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Rub the 2 poblano peppers lightly with olive oil and place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.2 poblano peppers
- Roast the peppers in the oven for 30 minutes, turning them occasionally with tongs, until the skins are blistered and charred all over.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the hot peppers to a large resealable plastic bag and seal it. The steam generated will help loosen the skins. Let the peppers sit for 10 to 15 minutes to cool and sweat.
- Once the peppers are cool enough to handle, remove them from the bag or bowl and gently peel off the charred skins. Cut off the stem and remove the seeds from the inside of the peppers.
- Add the poblanos to a food processor with 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup fresh dill, ½ cup parsley, ½ cup basil, 1 jalapeno, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepperr. Blend until smooth and combined. Slowly stream in the ½ cup olive oil until a creamy dressing forms.1 jalapeno, 2 cloves garlic, ½ cup fresh dill, ½ cup parsley, ½ cup basil, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ¾ cup sour cream, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ cup olive oil
- Set aside 3/4 of the dressing and with the other 1/4, add to a ziploc bag with the pieces of salmon. Move the fish around in the bag until they are fully coated in the marinade. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Add the salmon skin side down a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool at room temperature.1 ½ lbs salmon
- Cut the ciabatta loaf into cubes and spread them on a baking sheet. Toss 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp italian seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.1 ciabatta loaf, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp italian seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper
- In a large bowl, combine the 1 leek, 2 cups kale, ½ cup basil, and 1 zucchini.½ cup basil, 2 cups kale, 1 leek, 1 zucchini
- Add the crispy bread cubes to the vegetable mixture, and pour the remaining dressing over the top. Toss everything together gently to combine.
- Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the dressing and flavors.
- Use a fork to flake the salmon from the skin in large chunks. Top the salad with the pieces of fish before serving.
