Honey and soy salmon salad is a great way to have a healthy, warm salad that is full of flavour.
You might avoid salad because it is too cold and prefer hot meals. If you want a nice hot addition to your salad, then this could be for you.
This honey and soy salmon salad is a readers’ favourite. For a long time, the thought of salad reminded me of the girls at school who were perpetually on diets despite really not needing to be.
Salads do not have to be boring, do not have to be reserved for summer only and certainly do not have to be warm.
This honey and soy salmon salad is so simple to make and enjoy all year round. It’s a bonus that it has so many health benefits and is low in calories!
Salmon on a diet
Salmon is a fantastic addition to any diet (if you eat fish, of course) as it has so many benefits and is tasty (apparently – remember I’m a vegetarian!).
It is a good source of protein, which helps your body make and repair cells, and great for those aiming to lose weight by eating healthily.
It is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health and help to reduce inflammation.
Salmon is also a great source of vitamin D, which many of us in the UK lack in our diet during the darker months of the year.
How to use and make the Honey and Soy Marinade
This honey and soy marinade is so versatile that you could use it for other items if you wish, mini chicken fillets for meat eaters or tofu and aubergine if you are a veggie, like me.
You could even make vegetable skewers. Of course, honey is unsuitable for vegans, but there are alternatives, such as maple syrup, if you want to make this dish vegan.
Honey is a natural sweetener that has been utilised throughout history, well-known for its use in Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece.
Its popularity shows no signs of slowing down, and many people have it in their daily diet in an attempt to stop hay fever.
The sweetness of the honey mixed with the tart balsamic vinegar and the salty soy makes an amazing well-balanced combination of flavours.
Try to marinate the salmon for at least 30 minutes in the fridge, as this will ensure the salmon takes on an Asian flavouring rather than you just getting the odd hit.
What salad should you enjoy with this honey salmon?
I haven’t specified which salad items to use as it is entirely up to your own taste. Personally, I like to have a mixture of baby spinach and gem lettuce leaves as the base of the salad.
In addition, cherry tomatoes are a must. I quite like the multi-coloured ones you can get from many supermarkets these days.
Cucumber adds a lovely crunch, so I used a fair chunk and cut into small pieces with the skin on, though others may choose to remove the skin first.
Carrot is another favourite salad item of mine. Wash and peel, then rinse the peeler and use it to create ribbons of carrot to add to the Asian feel of this recipe.
Celery is another way of adding some more texture – although I know it’s a marmite food.
I also choose to add red, yellow or orange pepper, cut into fine strips.
Basically, whatever items you enjoy in a salad, add them… apples, strawberries, walnuts, peanuts, red onion – the list is endless.
If you prefer different items in your salad, then go ahead. It is your meal, after all, and there is no point in having something you don’t enjoy.
Can I make this in advance for a work lunch?
If you are happy to eat the salmon cold, this is a great way to have a nice interesting salad for your lunch at work.
All those who bring the same boring sandwich every day will be jealous of your lovely healthy salad too, I am sure.
If you want to have it hot, why not bring the salmon raw with the glaze and cook it in the microwave? Salmon cooks easily in the microwave but needs steam to cook it well, so it is best taken in a suitable plastic tub and then microwaved with the lid loosened.
Cook for around 3.5 minutes, depending on the size of the piece of salmon. Ensure no bright orange fish is in the middle of the piece before serving.
Disclaimer: Just Average Jen is not connected with any weight loss plan. Please check nutritional values and/or syns yourself as these are approximate to the best of my knowledge.
Tips to enjoy this salad on a diet
If you follow Slimming World, the honey in this recipe means that this salad is around one syn per portion. I want to ensure you enjoy your salad, so here are some tips which may help you.
Honey, in some recipes, won’t do you any harm. It is minimal syns (each honey tsp is approximately one syn). Remember, olives are synned if you want those on your salad.
Add cooked pasta, potatoes, rice, or couscous to make a salad more filling.
Instead of mayonnaise, why not try a fat-free natural yoghurt?
If you really want mayonnaise, use lighter than light mayonnaise as the taste difference is minimal, but the syns difference is massive!
Make salad last longer in the fridge by adding a piece of kitchen roll to any open bags.
Other recipes you may enjoy
If you have enjoyed this salmon salad for lunch, then why not check out all my other lunch suggestions? There is something for everyone, whether you work at home, in an office or on the go.
If you like salmon, check out my smoked salmon pasta recipe too.
This Sticky chicken salad recipe is very similar to this one, so I am sure you will enjoy that too.
PrintHow to make an easy honey and soy salmon salad
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 Minutes
- Total Time: 41 Minutes
- Yield: 1 Portion 1x
- Category: Main Meal
- Method: Easy
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Tasty and nutritious honey and soy salmon salad for a great lunch and easy meal for one.
Ingredients
Half a tbsp clear honey
Half a teaspoon Balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Light soy sauce
125g piece of salmon fillet
Handful of salad leaves
6 cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Mix the balsamic vinegar, honey and soy sauce together in a bowl.
Spread the marinade over the salmon and leave to marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes. If it marinates longer this won’t be a problem.
Using low-calorie cooking spray if needed (you shouldn’t need it in a non-stick pan) fry the salmon fillet for around 3 minutes each side on a medium high heat until cooked through.
Meanwhile, prepare the salad.
Serve the warm salmon over the salad.
If there is any remaining sticky marinade in the pan after frying this can be poured over the salad for extra flavour.
Simple but so tasty! I have had it both hot and cold – no preference actually. Often, I’ll make two salmon fillets on the Sunday and have one warm that day and the other cold to take the work. I like grapes in my salads too – chunks of apple and celery, too.