
Summertime calls for quick, fresh, and satisfying meals that don’t require turning on the oven — and this salad hits all those marks! Flavorful, crispy salmon, fiber-packed black beans, and crunchy, colorful greens pair perfectly with our go-to 5-Minute Smoky Chipotle Dressing and Peach Cucumber Salsa. Prepare your tastebuds for major deliciousness!
This 30-minute meal is rich in protein, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals and is the answer for a nourishing lunch or dinner, especially on warm summer days. Let us show you how it’s done!

If you’ve got a thing for crispy coated fish like we do, this recipe is going in your rotation. Brown rice flour, cornstarch, lime zest, salt, and optional garlic powder combine for a zesty, flavorful “breading” for the salmon.

We dip the salmon into lime juice for extra brightness, then dip in the zesty breading to achieve a light coating.

Next, we cook the salmon filets in a hot skillet until they turn light pink and develop a crispy exterior.

For the salad base, we went with romaine and red cabbage for crunchiness and added black beans for fiber and satisfaction. Almost any greens would be delicious, so feel free to sub in whatever you have around.
Finish off the dish by topping the salad with salmon, peach (or mango) salsa, and our 5-Minute Smoky Chipotle Dressing. Swoon!

We hope you LOVE this summer salad with salmon. It’s:
Bright
Fresh
Smoky
Satisfying
Nutrient-packed
& SO delicious!
We love this recipe any time we’re craving something quick, nourishing, and flavorful. It’s loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants, and almost all the vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, B vitamins, potassium, and selenium.
More Salmon Recipes
Easy Salmon Green Curry (1 Pot!)Lemon Baked Salmon with Garlic Dill Sauce (20 Minutes!)Easy 1-Pan Salmon Red CurryCrispy Skin Salmon (Perfect Every Time!)
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

Smoky Summer Salad with Lime-Crusted Salmon (30 Minutes!)
Flavorful lime-crusted salmon atop a fiber-rich salad of greens, cabbage, and black beans, topped with smoky chipotle dressing and fresh peach salsa. Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required!
Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 15 minutes Total Time 30 minutes Servings 4 (Bowls)Course Entree, SaladCuisine Dairy-Free, Gluten-FreeFreezer Friendly NoDoes it keep? 1-2 Days
from votesPrevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
SALAD
1 batch 5-Minute Smoky Chipotle Dressing (or sub store-bought chipotle ranch or similar dressing)1 batch Easy Peach Cucumber Salsa (or sub store-bought or homemade mango salsa)6 cups romaine lettuce (or sub mixed greens)1 ½ cups red cabbage, thinly sliced1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
SALMON
1/4 cup brown rice flour2 Tbsp cornstarch4 Tbsp lime zest (4 medium limes yield ~4 Tbsp zest)1/2-3/4 tsp sea salt1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)3 Tbsp lime juice (1 large lime yields ~3 Tbsp juice)4 (4-6 oz.) salmon filets, skin and bones removed2 Tbsp avocado oil (for cooking fish)
Instructions
SALAD: If using homemade dressing and peach salsa (both recommended), prepare them at this time and set aside. In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, cabbage, and black beans (optional) and toss to combine. Set aside.SALMON: In a medium-sized shallow bowl or dish, combine the brown rice flour, cornstarch, lime zest, salt, and garlic powder (optional). Whisk to fully combine and ensure there are no clumps of lime zest. Set nearby.In a separate shallow bowl, add the lime juice and set nearby. Then get a large dinner plate and set it near the stove for the cooked salmon.Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, start the salmon assembly line. Take one salmon filet and place it in the lime juice, flip it once or twice to evenly coat. Lift it up gently and let excess lime juice drip off, then place it in the flour/zest mixture. Press down gently on the top of the salmon, then flip and press once or twice until it is evenly coated in the mixture. Lift it and gently shake off excess flour, then immediately place into the hot skillet.Cook the salmon for 2-4 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reads 145 F (63 C). When the salmon is cooked, set it aside on a plate to cool slightly. Repeat with the remaining salmon.To assemble the bowls, divide the greens/beans between bowls and top each with chipotle dressing and peach salsa. Add a salmon filet to each bowl, and enjoy!Best when fresh, but leftovers will keep stored separately in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Not freezer friendly.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount of salt, with 4-ounce salmon filets, and without optional ingredients (black beans or garlic powder).
*We tested this using our DIY Gluten-Free Flour Blend and while it was good, we liked the lightness and crispiness of the brown rice flour and cornstarch much more!
Nutrition (1 of 4 servings)
Serving: 1 bowl Calories: 418 Carbohydrates: 27.7 g Protein: 28.8 g Fat: 22.7 g Saturated Fat: 3.6 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.4 g Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 63 mg Sodium: 408 mg Potassium: 1063 mg Fiber: 4.8 g Sugar: 7.4 g Vitamin A: 6561 IU Vitamin C: 37 mg Calcium: 79 mg Iron: 3 mg