Potato Salad with Crispy Skin Salmon Recipe

Zesty Potato Salad with Crispy Skin Salmon Recipe

Summer gatherings always sparkle when potato salad with crispy skin salmon takes center stage at our picnic table.

Backyard barbecues demand seriously delicious combinations that surprise and delight guests.

Wild-caught salmon transforms an ordinary side dish into something extraordinary and memorable.

Tender fish pieces nestled among creamy potatoes create a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

Herbs from the garden add fresh brightness to this classic dish, making every bite sing with freshness.

Seasonal ingredients bring magic to simple recipes, turning them into culinary adventures.

You will find this meal both elegant and approachable, perfect for impressing friends without complicated techniques.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds celebrate a perfect summer feast.

Salmon Potato Salad That Combines Fresh With Crisp

  • Savor Quick Weeknight Wonder: This potato salad with crispy skin salmon delivers gourmet flavor in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality meals.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like herbs or swap green onions for chives, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable to personal taste preferences and pantry availability.
  • Texture Sensation: Crispy salmon skin provides a delightful crunch against creamy potato salad, creating a mouthwatering contrast that elevates the entire dining experience.
  • Healthful Protein Power: Salmon offers high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids, transforming this simple dish into a nutritious meal that supports overall wellness.

Salmon and Potato Salad Ingredients

Base Ingredients:
  • Potatoes: Hearty base for the salad, providing creamy texture and substance. Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for best results.
  • Salmon Fillets: Premium protein that creates a crispy skin topping. Fresh, high-quality salmon recommended.
Dressing Ingredients:
  • Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Apple Cider Vinegar: Creamy and tangy base for potato salad dressing. Balances the richness of salmon.
Seasoning and Herb Ingredients:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall flavor of both potato salad and salmon. Use sea salt or kosher salt for best taste.
  • Chives, Green Onions: Fresh herbs that add brightness and subtle onion flavor. Can be used interchangeably.
  • Olive Oil: Used for cooking salmon and creating crispy skin. Extra virgin olive oil provides best flavor.
Garnish Ingredients:
  • Lemon Wedges: Adds fresh citrus brightness and helps cut through the richness of salmon and mayonnaise. Fresh lemons preferred.
  • Celery: Optional ingredient that provides crunch to potato salad. Choose crisp, fresh stalks.

Potato Salad with Crispy Salmon Assembly

Step 1: Boil Tender Potatoes

Grab your potatoes and drop them into a pot filled with cold salted water.

Let the water bubble and boil for 15-20 minutes until you can easily pierce them with a fork.

Drain the water and allow potatoes to cool down slightly.

Step 2: Whip Up Tangy Dressing

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Dijon mustard
  • Apple cider vinegar

Sprinkle salt and pepper to create a zesty flavor profile.

Step 3: Craft Delicious Potato Salad

Toss the slightly cooled potatoes into the dressing bowl.

Add:
  • Chives
  • Green onions
  • Celery

Gently mix everything so each potato piece gets coated with the creamy mixture.

Step 4: Create Crispy Salmon Magic

Prepare the salmon fillets by:
  • Patting them dry with paper towels
  • Seasoning the flesh side with salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin turns wonderfully crispy.

Flip the fillets and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until perfectly done.

Step 5: Plate Your Culinary Masterpiece

Spread a generous portion of potato salad on each plate.

Crown the salad with a crispy skin salmon fillet.

Garnish with fresh lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy finish.

Salmon Salad Tips For a Crispy Finish

  • Let hot potatoes cool slightly before mixing to prevent dressing from becoming watery and maintain ideal potato salad texture.
  • Use a dry skillet and pat salmon completely dry to achieve that restaurant-quality crispy skin without sticking.
  • Add salt and pepper both to potato salad dressing and salmon to create layers of balanced, complementary flavors throughout the dish.
  • Swap green onions for chives or add diced pickles to potato salad for extra tang and personalized gourmet touch.
  • Select firm, waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold and fresh salmon for the most vibrant, delicious results that elevate the entire recipe.

Salmon Potato Salad That Chills for a Second Meal

  • Store leftover potato salad and salmon separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Allow hot dishes to reach room temperature before covering and storing to prevent moisture buildup and bacterial growth.
  • Gently warm salmon in a 275°F oven for 10-15 minutes to maintain moisture and prevent overcooking, covering with foil to retain tenderness.
  • Stir potato salad gently before serving and add a splash of extra dressing if it seems dry after refrigeration to restore creamy texture.

Tangy Pairings For Salmon Salad

  • Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfect Pairings
  • Refresh with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the salmon's richness and cuts through the creamy potato salad, creating a light and vibrant dining experience.
  • Add Fresh Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle fresh dill or parsley over the dish to enhance the salmon's delicate flavor and provide a bright, aromatic contrast to the creamy potatoes.
  • Serve with Citrus Accent: Include a side of lemon wedges or a small citrus salad to brighten the overall dish, balancing the richness of the salmon and mayonnaise-based potato salad with a zesty, refreshing touch.
  • Complement with Crunchy Side: Add a small mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to introduce a crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy potato salad and tender salmon.

Salmon Potato Salad Swaps

  • Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Replace potatoes with roasted cauliflower florets for a keto-friendly version that maintains the creamy dressing and crispy salmon experience.
  • Vegan Chickpea Alternative: Substitute salmon with crispy baked marinated chickpea fillets and use vegan mayonnaise to create a plant-based protein-packed meal.
  • Herb-Infused Mediterranean Style: Add fresh dill, parsley, and mint to the potato salad dressing, and season salmon with za'atar spice blend for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Confirm all ingredients are gluten-free and serve with gluten-free mayonnaise to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the original recipe's essence.

FAQs

  • What type of potatoes work best for this recipe?

Red or Yukon gold potatoes are ideal because they hold their shape well after boiling and have a creamy texture that absorbs dressing perfectly.

  • How do I ensure the salmon skin gets really crispy?

Use a dry skillet, pat salmon skin completely dry before cooking, and place skin-side down in hot oil without moving it. This technique creates a golden, crisp skin.

  • Can I make the potato salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the potato salad a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and gently stir before serving to refresh the dressing.

  • Is there a substitute for Dijon mustard in the dressing?

Whole grain mustard or yellow mustard can work as alternatives, though they’ll slightly change the flavor profile of the dressing.

Print
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Potato Salad with Crispy Skin Salmon Recipe

Potato Salad with Crispy Skin Salmon Recipe


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Creamy potato salad meets luxurious salmon in this Nordic-inspired dish that marries rich flavors and textures. Salt, herbs, and perfectly crisp salmon elevate this classic recipe, promising a delightful experience for anyone seeking a gourmet twist on familiar ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 12 salmon fillets (skin-on), about 68 ounces (170226 grams) each
  • 1 pound (454 grams) small potatoes (fingerling or baby Yukon Gold), quartered or halved

Dressing and Seasoning:

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish and Additional Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives or green onions
  • 1/4 cup chopped celery (optional, for crunch)
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Submerge whole potatoes in a chilled, salted water bath. Bring liquid to a vigorous simmer and allow tubers to become tender when pierced with a fork, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  2. Carefully drain potatoes and allow them to cool slightly, preventing further cooking.
  3. Craft a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and tangy apple cider vinegar in a spacious mixing vessel.
  4. Season the dressing mixture with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to elevate flavor profiles.
  5. Gently fold slightly cooled potatoes into the prepared dressing, ensuring delicate pieces are evenly coated.
  6. Incorporate finely chopped chives or green onions and diced celery for added texture and herbaceous notes.
  7. Meticulously pat salmon fillets with absorbent paper towels to ensure maximum skin crispness.
  8. Generously season flesh side of fish with salt and pepper, creating a flavor foundation.
  9. Warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high temperature until shimmering.
  10. Strategically place salmon fillets skin-side down, allowing precise searing for 5-7 minutes until skin transforms into a golden, crispy exterior.
  11. Swiftly flip fillets and continue cooking an additional 2-3 minutes to complete preparation.
  12. Plate individual portions of dressed potato salad as a vibrant base.
  13. Crown each plate with a perfectly cooked salmon fillet, showcasing its crispy skin.
  14. Accompany the dish with fresh lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy accent.

Notes

  • Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for a creamy, sturdy texture that holds up well in the salad.
  • Rinse potatoes under cold water after boiling to stop the cooking process and prevent mushiness.
  • Add herbs like dill or parsley for extra flavor complexity and freshness.
  • Salt the potato cooking water generously to enhance the potato’s natural taste from the inside out.
  • Pat salmon skin extremely dry before cooking to guarantee an ultra-crispy, golden-brown skin that crackles with each bite.
  • Let salmon rest skin-side up after cooking to maintain its crispy texture and prevent soggy skin.
  • Swap mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier dressing that cuts down on calories.
  • Make this dish gluten-free by ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • For a dairy-free version, use vegan mayo or olive oil-based dressing.
  • Chill potato salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Boiling, Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 530
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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