Easy Seafood Salad

This easy salmon macaroni salad recipe is perfect for those days when you want a light meal. Whether it’s for a family dinner or a single supper, it’s a good one to keep in your recipe box.

You can use either canned salmon or fresh cooked fish. Since I had some canned salmon in the pantry, that’s what I used this time. This dinner salad is good either way.

Other types of seafood also work in this salad. If you don’t have salmon, try making it with tuna, cod, or whatever you have.

Easy Family Dinners

This salmon macaroni salad falls into the category of easy family dinners. Another one we enjoy is this stir fry beef and broccoli.

If you like Crock Pot cooking, try this yummy slow cooker Hawaiian chicken. Serve it over rice and add a side salad if you want.

This beef shop-the-pantry casserole is perfect for those times when you need to clean out your pantry. Simply follow the formula I have in the post, and you’ll wind up with a meal the whole family will enjoy.

Salmon Macaroni Salad Ingredients

The ingredients I’ve listed below are all somewhat flexible. If you don’t care for something, you can leave it out. Or if you want to add another ingredient, go for it!

Here is what I used in this recipe:

• Canned or cooked fresh salmon
• Macaroni (regular or gluten-free)
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon Juice
• Chopped celery
• Chopped onions
• Parsley (fresh or dried)
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Black pepper (optional)

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card or save it by using the “print” or “save” button.

How to Make Salmon Macaroni Salad

This is an extremely easy salad to make. Other than the noodles, there’s no cooking—only assembling and mixing.

First, cook the macaroni according to the instructions on the package. I like it al dente, but you can cook it a little more if you like.

Secondly, in a large mixing bowl, combine the mustard, mayonnaise, celery, onion, lemon juice, and parsley. Give it a good stir.

Next, add the salmon and mix it again.

Now you can put this mixture in the refrigerator until the macaroni is ready.

After you drain the macaroni, allow it to cool.

You can put it in the refrigerator to speed the process if you like.

Once the macaroni has cooled down, fold it into the salmon mixture.

Take a taste to see if it needs any more of the ingredients.

Then, add the hot sauce and black pepper if you want.

Stir the mixture.

Finally, cover the salad and put it in the refrigerator to chill it until it’s time for dinner.

I like to serve this delicious seafood salad on a bed of lettuce and with a side of crackers. You can have it with soup, a sandwich, or whatever you like.

More Yummy Salad Recipes

Dinner salads are typically more popular during spring and summer. However, my husband and I enjoy eating salads year-round. We have several favorites.

This homemade chicken salad is one I make often because we almost always have leftover chicken. 

Another salad we enjoy is this Mediterranean salad, usually with chicken but sometimes without meat.

This delicious Greek olive and feta salad packs quite a bit of flavor, so it makes a wonderful side salad when we have a basic meal. It elevates dinner to a whole new level of deliciousness.

This green pea and ham couscous salad from Miz Helen’s Country Cottage is a fun and delicious meal you can feel good about feeding your family.

Another type of pasta salad we enjoy is this creamy macaroni salad. It’s the perfect side dish for almost any meal.

Add a couple of these delicious air fryer pineapple rings to any salad for an extra burst of flavor!

How Long Does Salmon Macaroni Salad Last?

You can keep salmon macaroni salad in the refrigerator for a day or two. However, if you want to enjoy it longer than that, I recommend setting some aside without the salmon. You can always add that closer to when you plan to eat it.

What Does Salmon Taste Like?

Some people think that salmon has a strong, fishy taste. But it truly depends on where it came from and how it was raised. Farm-raised salmon is typically milder, while wild-caught salmon has a bolder, oilier flavor. All salmon has a high fat content, and it’s the kind of fat that is good for you.

How to Keep Salad Fresh for Lunch

If you want to have leftover salad for lunch the next day, put it in an airtight container and then refrigerate it. It’s important to keep it cool to prevent it from spoiling. 

Leave it in the refrigerator until time to eat if you’re eating lunch at home. Or if you take it to the office, put it in a cooler. That’s why I like to have plenty of coolers and ice packs on hand.

See this recipe shared at Full Plate Thursday.

More Recipes

I hope you enjoy this salmon macaroni salad. It’s definitely a favorite around here. I like to balance our meals throughout the week to include one-pan dinners, casseroles, meat and side dishes, and salads.

Here are some of our favorites:

Pork Sausage and Rice Skillet Dinner – This delicious, easy, and budget-friendly one-pan meal will quickly make its way to the top of your dinner rotation. You can use any brand of sausage you like.

3-Ingredient Ro-Tel Chili – I have a variety of chili recipes that I rotate, and they’re all good. However, when I’m in a hurry, this is one that I like to make. It’s super quick and easy, and it’s also delicious!

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin – Cooking this in the Crock Pot allows the flavors to melt, and it always comes out tender and delicious. Serve it with a side of potatoes and a vegetable, and you have a great meal.

Beef and Cabbage Soup – Packed with nutrition, this soup is so satisfying, comforting, and delicious you’ll want to make it often.

See this recipe shared at Weekend Potluck.

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