Everything Bagel Baked Salmon Salad Bowls

These delicious Everything Bagel Baked Salmon Salad Bowls are a quick and easy to make weeknight dinner option! They take just 20 minutes start to finish and they’re simple to customize with your favorite dressing and veggies.

Anyone remember my trip to Juneau, Alaska this year? I attended the International Food Blogger’s Conference and had the opportunity to try ALL the seafood. It was the best culinary travel related trip of my life, and I can’t wait to go back. I was there for five days and didn’t get to do everything I wanted or, more importantly, TRY everything I wanted!

I learned a lot about seafood that comes from Alaska:

• There are no fish farms in Alaska. That means that all seafood from Alaska is wild!
• If your seafood is from Alaska, is will have logo from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute on the packaging.
• Alaskan seafood is carefully managed based on conservation principles, and is some of the most sustainable seafood in the world.

The seafood in Alaska is the best. I was there, and they proved it to me! So when got to chat with Robin about her company Alaska Home Pack, I got WAY too excited!!

I’ve partnered with AK Home Pack to share a recipe using wild caught seafood sent to my doorstep straight from Juneau, Alaska. A full review of everything in the box is coming soon! But let’s just say we were more than satisfied!!

To showcase the salmon filets from my Alaska Home Pack box, I created a very easy recipe for Everything Bagel Baked Salmon Salad Bowls that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!

What is everything but the bagel seasoning?

Everything but the bagel seasoning is a masterpiece, a seasoning blend of art, and a culinary experience you must try if you haven’t. It’s a blend of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried onion, dried garlic, and salt. That’s it! Various recipes may have slightly different proportions, but that’s the general idea behind everything but the bagel seasoning.

Of course it started as a seasoning on bagels, then Trader Joe’s changed everything and gave us just Everything BUT THE Bagel, and we all freaked out. Worth it. 

You can of course buy blends at the store or online, or you can make your own with this easy Everything But the Bagel Seasoning recipe.

What kind of salmon should you use?

Wild vs farmed: It is my personal preference and strong recommendation to always use wild salmon, as it is generally healthier, tastes better, and has less of a negative impact on the environment. Generally, I would recommend purchasing the highest quality salmon you can access. Frozen is just fine too!!

Species: In my Alaska Home Pack Box, I received 3 pounds of frozen wild sockeye salmon filets, each weighing about 4-5 ounces. For home cooking, my preferences for salmon will always be one of these: chinook/King salmon, red salmon/sockeye salmon, or coho/silver salmon. I avoid Atlantic salmon, as all commercially available Atlantic salmon is farmed.

Skin on or off: Usually when you purchase salmon, it comes with the skin on. The fillets that came in my Alaska Home Pack had the skin on as well. I prefer to bake the salmon with the skin on and then remove it before adding the salmon to my salad, but you can do it either way. 

How do you cook the baked salmon?

There are lots of way to cook salmon, but for this recipe, we’re going to bake it in the oven. It’s a pretty hands-off, easy for a first-timer, kind of method. 

Preheat the oven to 425F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and the salmon won’t stick at all! Place the fillets skin side down on the parchment and then brush the top with olive oil. Generously sprinkle each fillet with everything but the bagel seasoning.

And that’s it! Stick it in the oven and you’re free to work on the veggies. Don’t forget to check the salmon at the 12 minute mark! Remove it from the oven when it’s cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. 

What kinds of veggies go best with these Everything Bagel Baked Salmon Salad Bowls?

Here’s what I chose to put on my Everything Bagel Baked Salmon Salad (also what’s in the pictures!!):

• sliced cucumbers – love cucumbers and will add them to a salad any chance I get
• cherry tomatoes – another veggie that I like on salad plus it goes with salmon + cucumbers (in my opinion)
• red onions – okay here’s where it gets tricky – I don’t usually like red onion but I DO like it with salmon lox and cream cheese bagels, so I decided it fit in this salad
• shredded carrots – these were already prepped in my fridge so I threw them on!! Shredded carrots work on most salads because they’re small and easy to blend in!
• lemon wedge – squeeze it over the top right before you eat the salad for some zest

Other topping ideas:

• more veggies like avocado
• more crunch like some slivered almonds
• more cheese like feta

Can this be meal prepped or made ahead of time?

Yes! I certainly think this salad can be prepared ahead of time, just be sure to add the dressing only right before you eat it! This salad tastes great when the salmon is cold or fresh from the oven. Enjoy within 2-3 days for best taste.

Thank you to Alaska Home Pack for sending me the best wild seafood in the world! Visit their website to check out how you can get sustainable, wild Alaskan seafood delivered to your door!