Paraben Free Asian-Inspired Salmon Salad
Bright, fresh, and deeply satisfying, this salmon salad brings together crisp shredded cabbage, julienned carrot, cool cucumber, and fragrant herbs with a zingy ginger-lime dressing that ties everything together beautifully. The salmon itself gets a golden, anti-inflammatory rub of turmeric and ground ginger before hitting a hot skillet, emerging with irresistibly crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh. Avoiding parabens means steering clear of many processed condiments and bottled sauces that sneak in preservatives — here, coconut aminos stand in for soy sauce and the dressing is built entirely from whole, clean ingredients like apple cider vinegar, raw honey, and fresh lime juice. Every component is straightforward and recognizable, which is exactly the point. The technique of cooking the salmon skin-side down first and flipping only once is a small step that makes a huge difference, delivering restaurant-quality texture without any fuss. A final drizzle of the reserved dressing over the plated fish keeps every bite punchy and cohesive. This is the kind of weeknight meal that feels like a treat while checking every box you actually care about.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salmon
- 4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each), skin-on
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
For the salad
- 4 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
- 1 large carrot, julienned or coarsely grated
- 1 english cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
- 4 scallions (green tops only), thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
For serving
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Make the dressing: whisk together the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, grated ginger, honey, and lime juice in a small bowl until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is uniform. Set aside.
- 2
Combine the shredded cabbage, carrot, cucumber, scallion greens, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle about two-thirds of the dressing over the vegetables and toss until evenly coated. Scatter the mint over the top, if using.
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