This Copycat Nordstrom Café Wild Salmon Niçoise Salad is a fresh, high-protein meal inspired by the famous salad from Nordstrom Café. Made with herb-crusted wild salmon, roasted potatoes, crisp green beans, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, olives, and capers, this healthy Niçoise salad is packed with flavor and nourishing ingredients.

Perfect for lunch or dinner, this gluten-free, dairy-free salad delivers over 30 grams of protein and is hearty enough to keep you satisfied. Whether you’re recreating your favorite Nordstrom Café order or simply looking for a healthy salmon salad recipe, this one is guaranteed to become a staple.

Copycat Nordstrom Café wild salmon Niçoise salad topped with herb-crusted salmon, potatoes, green beans, eggs, tomatoes, olives, and capers.

Nordstrom’s Famous Salmon Salad

Ok, I’ll start with the story of how this salad ended up here in the first place. A while back, I had a major obsession with the Wild Salmon Niçoise Salad from the Nordstrom Café menu. It was literally the only item I would order on the menu. One day, I was raving about it to the chef and he was kind enough to share the entire recipe with me; he even printed it out! I think it’s safe to say that’s one of the best customer service experiences of my life so far. Who knew a salad from a notorious department store restaurant could not only look, but taste so enjoyable? I obviously did, so I felt it was only right to share with you all too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Inspired by the beloved Nordstrom Café Wild Salmon Niçoise Salad.
High in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
Great for meal prep and leftovers.
Loaded with colorful vegetables and healthy fats.
Elegant enough for entertaining but easy enough for weeknight dinners.
Ready in about one hour.

Wild salmon baking in the oven for a healthy salmon Niçoise salad recipe.

Nourishing Ingredient Benefits

Wild salmon is one of my favorite protein options, especially for a salad. High in selenium, it’s also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, a heart-healthy fat which helps to support brain health and can decrease inflammation. Not to mention how versatile salmon is, making it easy to pair with other flavors and textures, like the nourishing herb crust the salmon is covered with. The hard-boiled eggs, a nutrient dense, complete protein only further boost the health benefits of the salad, along with the vitamin-packed mixed greens and sweet cherry tomatoes.

Wild Salmon – provides high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids that support heart and brain health.
Green Beans – add fiber, vitamins, and freshness while providing the classic Niçoise salad flavor.
Potatoes – make this salad hearty and satisfying while contributing potassium and complex carbohydrates.
Eggs – add additional protein and healthy fats for a balanced meal.
Kalamata Olives and Capers -These Mediterranean ingredients bring salty, briny flavors that make a traditional Niçoise salad so delicious.

Healthy salmon Niçoise salad served with roasted potatoes, fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and Dijon dressing.

What Is a Niçoise Salad?

A traditional Niçoise salad originated in Nice, France and typically includes vegetables, olives, eggs, potatoes, and seafood. While classic versions are often made with tuna, salmon Niçoise salad has become a popular variation thanks to its rich flavor and heart-healthy omega-3 fats.

This recipe puts a healthy spin on the classic by using herb-crusted wild salmon and simple whole-food ingredients. My Copycat Nordstrom Café Wild Salmon Niçoise Salad will forever be one of my favorites, and I’m sure will find it’s way into your salad rotation too as soon as you try it. It’s salty, crunchy, hearty, and like a lot of my other salad recipes on my site, makes for a great lunch or dinner. I’d love to hear what you think below!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Salad

Wild salmon fillets
Red potatoes
Hard-boiled eggs
Cherry tomatoes
Kalamata olives
Fresh green beans
Mixed greens
Fresh capers
Fresh lemon

Herb Crust for Salmon

Fresh basil
Fresh oregano
Fresh Italian parsley
Green onion
Extra virgin olive oil
Pink salt
Ground pepper

Optional Dressing: Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette

Balsamic vinaigrette
Dijon mustard
Red onion
Brown sugar (I would sub for coconut sugar)
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Ground pepper
Fresh basil

Ingredients for homemade salmon Niçoise salad including wild salmon, potatoes, eggs, green beans, tomatoes, olives, and capers.

How to Make The Nordstrom Salmon Salad:

Potatoes and Green Beans

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Add quartered potatoes & spray (or toss) lightly with olive or avocado oil and pink salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing 10 minutes before done. Once cooked, set aside.

While the potatoes are in the oven, steam green beans and cut into 2-inch pieces. Set aside. Skip to the Herb-Crusted Salmon section if you are using the olive oil and fresh lemon juice as your dressing.

Optional Dressing: Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette

Combine balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, diced red onion, and brown sugar (or coconut sugar) into blender. Pulse until well combined, about 1 minute. With the blender running, slowly add extra virgin olive oil in a thin, steady stream, forming a vortex swirling effect until all the oil is absorbed, approximately 2 minutes. The dressing should have a medium brown color, and a smooth and somewhat creamy consistency. Season with sea salt + ground pepper, fold in fresh basil and pulse 3 times with blender, about 10 seconds each time in order to fully incorporate. Store up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Herb-crusted Salmon

Once the potatoes are removed from the oven and cooling, heat oven to 500 degrees F. To prepare crust for salmon, make sure all fresh herbs are finely chopped, then mix together in a bowl until well-combined. Lay salmon, presentation side up, over parchment paper on baking sheet. Top with herb mix over fillet and bake for 5-7 minutes, depending on how thick the salmon is. Remove the salmon from the oven once fully cooked.

Salad

Except for the salmon and capers, layer salad ingredients on plate (or toss in large bowl). If using the Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette as your dressing, be sure to drizzle in and toss with salad ingredients at this time.

Add salmon and capers on top. If not dressed with the Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette, drizzle salad with olive oil and garnish with lemon. Once served, squeeze fresh lemon over top. Enjoy!

Recipe Substitutions & Questions

Sub the salmon for your protein of choice if you’d like; tuna or chicken would work well. Alternatively, rather than baking your salmon and potatoes, option to grill either or both ingredients for more of a smokey flavor. Instead of red potatoes, you could also try baby Yukon Gold or new potatoes. If there are any ingredients you don’t love, like the olives or cherry tomatoes, for example, feel free to omit or use your preferred substitute ingredient instead. As mentioned above, option to use a simple olive oil and fresh lemon juice dressing, or make and use the signature Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette.

SHOP THIS RECIPE:

Mediterranean-inspired salmon Niçoise salad with eggs, tomatoes, olives, capers, and mixed greens.

Variations:

– Swap salmon for grilled chicken or tuna.
– Use baby potatoes instead of red potatoes.
– Add avocado for extra healthy fats.
– Use arugula, spinach, or romaine instead of mixed greens.
– Grill the salmon for a smoky flavor.
– Skip the dressing and finish with fresh lemon juice and olive oil.

What dressing goes on Niçoise salad?

Traditional Niçoise salads are often dressed with a Dijon vinaigrette. This recipe includes a homemade Dijon balsamic dressing, though a simple drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice is equally delicious.

What’s the difference between farm-raised and wild salmon?

Wild-caught salmon simply refers to salmon caught in its natural environment, such as oceans, rivers and lakes. Farm-raised salmon are bred and grown through a process called aquaculture, in tanks or freshwater enclosures. Generally, wild-caught salmon tend to have a more vibrant red-orange color and distinct, fuller flavor when compared to farm-raised. Wild salmon, which I prefer, is also said to hold more nutritional value, containing more vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium and vitamin B12, for example.

Forkful of healthy salmon Niçoise salad with wild salmon, potatoes, and fresh vegetables.

More High-Protein Salads/Meals:

Pistachio-Crusted Fish Tacos

Sesame Salmon Rice Bowls

Sausage, White Bean & Kale Soup

High-Protein Chicken Caesar Wrap

Greek Chicken Salad With Feta Pesto

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