This Easy Grilled Salmon Cobb Salad is the ultimate fresh, hearty, and flavor-packed meal that’s just as satisfying as it is healthy. Juicy grilled salmon, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and vibrant veggies come together over a bed of greens with a bold, tangy dressing. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick yet nourishing—and it looks like it came straight from a café! This salad doesn’t mess around—it’s wholesome, it’s delicious, and it might just become your go-to dinner salad.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast and Fuss-Free: The salmon grills up in minutes, and the rest is just a little chopping and assembling. Dinner’s on the table in under 30 minutes!
Bold, Balanced Flavors: You get smoky grilled salmon, salty bacon, creamy avocado, sharp blue cheese, and a punchy dressing—all working together beautifully.
Nutrient-Dense and Filling: Packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, this salad keeps you full without feeling heavy.
Totally Customizable: Swap out ingredients based on what’s in your fridge—this salad plays well with others.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This salad is all about combining textures and bold flavors. Here’s what you need and why each ingredient matters:

Salmon fillets: The star of the show—rich, flaky, and perfect for the grill. Season simply with salt, pepper, and a little lemon for the best results.
Romaine or mixed greens: A crisp, sturdy base that holds up well under the weight of the toppings and dressing.
Avocado: Adds creamy richness and healthy fats. Make sure it’s just ripe—soft but not mushy.
Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, they balance the savory notes beautifully.
Hard-boiled eggs: Classic Cobb ingredient for extra protein and a creamy texture.
Bacon: Adds a salty crunch and smoky flavor that complements the salmon perfectly.
Red onion: Thin slices for a bit of bite and color contrast.
Blue cheese crumbles: Sharp, tangy, and creamy—an essential Cobb salad component.
Dressing (homemade or store-bought): A red wine vinaigrette or balsamic dressing works best, bringing acidity to cut through the richness.

Variations

Want to switch it up? Here are some tasty twists:

Chicken or Shrimp Instead of Salmon: Grilled chicken breast or shrimp are both excellent protein swaps.
Go Lighter on the Cheese: If blue cheese is too strong, try crumbled feta or goat cheese.
Make it Vegetarian: Skip the salmon and bacon, and add roasted chickpeas or grilled tofu for a protein boost.
Add More Veggies: Toss in cucumbers, roasted corn, or bell peppers for extra color and crunch.
Different Dressings: Try a lemon-dijon vinaigrette, creamy ranch, or green goddess dressing for a whole new flavor profile.

How to Make Easy Grilled Salmon Cobb Salad

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Start by cooking the bacon until crisp, then set it aside to drain on paper towels. While that’s happening, boil your eggs, let them cool slightly, then peel and slice.

Step 2: Grill the Salmon

Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Grill skin-side down first for about 4–5 minutes per side, until it’s flaky and cooked through. Let it rest for a couple of minutes, then flake or slice it.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

In a large serving bowl or on a platter, layer the greens as your base. Arrange the toppings—sliced eggs, cherry tomatoes, avocado, bacon, red onion, blue cheese, and grilled salmon—into neat rows or clusters for that classic Cobb look.

Step 4: Dress and Serve

Drizzle your dressing of choice right before serving, or serve it on the side so everyone can add their own. Give it a gentle toss if you prefer a more mixed-up style.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Salmon: Keep an eye on it—it’s done when it flakes easily with a fork. Overcooking can make it dry.
Use Pre-Cooked Ingredients to Save Time: Buy pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs or grill extra salmon the night before to cut prep time in half.
Get That Perfect Avocado: Choose one that yields slightly to pressure. If it’s too firm, leave it on the counter for a day or two.
Chill the Greens: Keep your greens cold until you’re ready to assemble—crisp greens make a huge difference in texture.

How to Serve

This salad is satisfying on its own, but you can definitely dress it up:

As a Main Dish

Serve with a side of crusty bread or garlic toast to soak up the dressing and juices from the salmon.

For Entertaining

Build a Cobb salad bar and let guests assemble their own—perfect for dinner parties or casual gatherings.

For Lunch

Pack the salad ingredients separately in containers and combine them just before eating to keep everything fresh.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the salad components separately if you plan to have leftovers. Once dressed, the greens can wilt quickly.

Freezing

Not recommended. The fresh veggies and avocado don’t freeze well, and the texture of the salad will suffer.

Reheating

If using leftover grilled salmon, warm it gently in the microwave or oven. Avoid high heat to keep it from drying out.

FAQs

Can I bake the salmon instead of grilling it?
Absolutely! Bake it at 400°F for about 12–15 minutes, or until it flakes easily. It’s just as tasty, and a great alternative when grilling isn’t an option.

What kind of dressing works best with this salad?
A tangy vinaigrette (like red wine or balsamic) is ideal because it cuts through the richness of the salmon, bacon, and cheese. Creamier dressings like ranch or blue cheese can work too if you prefer a more indulgent flavor.

How long can I store the salad in the fridge?
Once assembled and dressed, eat it within a day for best texture. Undressed components can be stored separately for up to 3 days.

Can I use canned salmon?
Yes, you can! While fresh grilled salmon gives the best flavor and texture, canned salmon is a great shortcut. Just drain it well and flake it into the salad.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Grilled Salmon Cobb Salad is everything a dinner salad should be—vibrant, filling, and layered with amazing textures and flavors. It’s quick to make, endlessly flexible, and downright crave-worthy. Whether you’re whipping it up for a weeknight dinner or serving it to guests, this salad brings big flavor with very little effort. Give it a try, and let it shake up your salad routine in the best way possible!

Easy Grilled Salmon Cobb Salad Recipe