Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich Without Mayo
The fresh and tangy combo of salmon, lemon and dill speaks of summer. But this canned salmon salad sandwich mix without mayo is a weekly go to all year long.
Not only because it tastes great, but for the nutritional benefits as well. If you’re always looking for easy ways to get salmon into your diet, this recipe if for you. When time is short, it is my preferred lunch.
In this salmon sandwich recipe, the ingredients are lighter than most preparations. Instead of mayo or crème fraîche, Thick and Creamy Homemade Instant Pot Yogurt and sour cream is used. When mixed, the yogurt and sour cream has a similar creamy texture but with significantly less calories and fat. The flavor is there, but without taking in unneeded calories.
If you don’t have an instant pot to make your own homemade yogurt, you can use Turkish labneh, Greek yogurt, or even plain yogurt if you are in a pinch. As well, you can use dry or frozen dill if you like, but fresh dill really makes all the flavors come together.
Content in this Post
- Ingredients Used in Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich
- How to get More Calcium from the Canned Salmon?
- Health Benefits of Canned Salmon and Yogurt
- Is it Difficult to Make Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich?
- Kitchen Tools You Need for Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich
- How to Make Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich Step-by-Step
- Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich Variations and Low Carb Options
- Seafood Sandwich Cake Fillings
- Storage Tips
- Best Uses For Leftover Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich Mix
- You’ll Also Love
Ingredients Used in Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich
- Canned Salmon — this recipe calls for canned salmon but you can also use leftover baked salmon from IKEA salmon fillets just be sure to adjust the remaining ingredient amounts to match up with your portion of leftover salmon.
- Labneh –a thick yogurt with flavor and texture similar to cream cheese. You can sub Homemade Instant Pot Yogurt or Greek yogurt.
- Sour Cream — original 14% M.F.
- Lemon Juice — freshly squeezed is preferred for the best flavor.
- Dill — use fresh dill, chopped into small pieces.
- Hot Sauce — we use Frank’s Red Hot in this recipe, but other brands can be substituted.
- All Purpose Seasoning — we use our All Purpose Spice Blend — made with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add about a quarter teaspoon of each spice if you don’t have the blend.
- Bread — Carbonaut is a great low-carb bread, Lebanese pita bread, or even Romaine Lettuce Leaves
- Optional Garnishes — Sliced Tomato, Baby Arugula, Fresh Dill, Lemon slices
I use two four-ounce cans of salmon. I buy a pack of six cans and it lasts three weeks since I make this once a week. Of course, you can half the recipe and use one can. But I like to use two cans so there’s enough for two hefty sandwiches (to share, I don’t eat them both, although I could!) and some mix leftover for the next day.
Aside from canned salmon, the recipe uses labneh (or Greek or homemade yogurt) and sour cream, fresh dill, lemon juice, hot sauce and my All Purpose Spice Blend. I like to prep ahead a seasoning blend that uses paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper because it saves time in so many recipes. If you don’t have the seasoning blend prepared, you can add the individual amounts of each ingredient. I have provided the list of ingredients for the spice blend in the recipe below. You can use your own all purpose seasoning if you have one on hand.
Having this as a repeat dish makes it easier to plan for the week and grocery shop. It really helps to have some weekly standardization to take the guess work out of some upcoming meals. And guys, I just love the nutritional bang for buck it provides. I can’t say it enough.
How to get More Calcium from the Canned Salmon?
The cans have visible bones throughout and might be off-putting to some. However, if you mash the salmon well, the bones break down and you won’t be able to notice them. Keeping the bones also ensures you will gain a beneficial dose of calcium. If you want to remove them though it’s totally up to you.
Health Benefits of Canned Salmon and Yogurt
Canned Salmon is high in protein and rich in nutrients. It contains omega 3 polyunsaturated fats and is a great source of calcium.
Yogurt is also high in protein. Being a fermented dairy product, it contains Probiotics but also has less lactose than other cheese and milk products, thanks to the straining process. The common vitamins and minerals found in yogurt are Vitamin A, Calcium, and Iron.
Is it Difficult to Make Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich?
No, this recipe is very simple to make and only takes a few minutes to complete. Start by draining the water from the canned salmon and add the salmon to a medium sized mixing bowl (or an airtight glass container if you plan to save some for later). If your canned salmon contains bones, use the back side of a fork to break them down into small pieces. Then, add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Scoop out about half a cup of salmon salad mix and place on your favorite bread.
Try it with Lebanese style pita bread or low carb Carbonaut bread.
If you prefer the lowest carb option, use romaine lettuce leaves instead of bread.
Kitchen Tools You Need for Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich
- Medium Sized Mixing Bowl — approximately 2 quarts.
- Masher — to mash the salmon with the bones. Alternatively, you can use a fork.
- Can Opener — unless the can has a built-in pull tab.
- Kitchen Scissors — to snip the fresh dill. Or you can use a knife.
- Lemon Juicer — to get all the juice out of the lemon.
How to Make Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich Step-by-Step
STEP 1 — Drain Salmon: Drain the water from the canned salmon and pour contents into a medium size mixing bowl.
STEP 2 — Mash Salmon: Break down the hard pieces of the salmon with the back side of a fork.
STEP 3 — Add Ingredients and Mix: Add all other ingredients to the bowl and mix them thoroughly.
STEP 4 — Spread, Garnish and Serve: Scoop out your desired amount of mix (about half a cup) and add it to a slice of bread of your choice. Garnish with tomato slices, baby arugula leaves, fresh dill, and a lemon slice.
Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich Variations and Low Carb Options
This is a versatile mix. You can place it in lettuce wraps for low carb or keto. We like to serve it with low carb Carbonaut bread or Lebanese style pita bread.
It’s also nice on dark rye crispbread (texture is like a cracker) or multi-grain crispbread, such as Nyvita.
You can omit the top bread slice to eat it as an open faced sandwich to reduce carbs.
When we have it open faced, we add tomatoes or cucumber slices on top, something to kind of take the place of the top slice of bread.
We love salmon salad as a filling for one layer in a seafood smörgåstårta (Swedish sandwich cake), or frosted sandwich loaf.
Seafood Sandwich Cake Fillings
For festive occasions, a seafood sandwich cake is a perfect main course and serves 8-10 people. You can choose your favorite four fillings, perhaps canned salmon salad sandwich and three more from the following:
- Tuna Salad Sandwich
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- Shrimp Salad Sandwich
- Smoked Salmon Salad Sandwich
- Crab Salad Sandwich
- Lobster Salad Sandwich
You can even make smaller savory appetizers with salmon salad using smaller bread or crackers.
It’s great to have when I’m craving a smörgåstårta (all the time, hence the regular rotation!) but don’t have the time to make the whole thing.
Add a slice of Havarti cheese to the sandwich to make it taste even more Smörgåstårta-y.
Storage Tips
Canned salmon is conveniently shelf stable and can be kept in your pantry safely for at least a couple of years (check your expiry dates on the cans to be sure).
Ours don’t stay in the pantry that long because we make this recipe often, but it’s nice to know you can stock up some nutritious salmon and the cans will last a long time for future recipes.
Prepared salmon mix can last in the fridge for up to three days. For best flavor, try to consume leftover salmon mix within a day or two.
Best Uses For Leftover Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich Mix
Should you happen to have any leftover canned salmon salad sandwich mix, you can enjoy it rolled up into an easy canned salmon sushi roll uramaki.
It’s easy to make with failproof Instant Pot Sushi Rice and you can drizzle spicy sriracha mayo over top to make it a spicy salmon roll!
Since the Instant Pot sushi rice makes enough for eight rolls, we love to make more easy homemade rolls.
We choose convenient ingredients like IKEA gravad lax (gravlax) smoked salmon (used in three of our sushi rolls), IKEA cold water shrimp, and canned seafood (salmon, tuna and crabmeat).
If you don’t have an IKEA close by, gravlax, cold water shrimp and canned seafood are common in grocery stores.
You’ll Also Love
Another protein rich and low carb sandwich option is this lovely version of an IKEA shrimp sandwich. It is easy to make and will satisfy your craving for seafood anytime.
Made with cold water shrimp, you can keep a bag or two in your freezer to thaw out for a special occasion.
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Zesty Canned Salmon Salad Sandwich
Ingredients
Salmon Salad Sandwich Mix
- 8 ounces Salmon, canned, drained
- ⅛ cup Lemon Juice , freshly squeezed, half a lemon
- ⅓ cup Labneh , or Greek Yogurt
- ¼ cup Sour Cream
- ¼ cup Fresh Dill , chopped
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Spice Blend, or see below for approx. individual amounts
Bread and Toppings
- 8 slices Carbonaut Bread Multigrain, Low Carb
- 2 Tomatoes, sliced
- 8 slices Lettuce
All Purpose Spice Blend
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt, preferably Himalayan
- ⅛ teaspoon Paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ⅛ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ⅛ teaspoon Hot Sauce, Frank's or Tabasco
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl (approx. 2 quart).
- Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Use as filling for sandwiches or lettuce wraps.
Additional Information
Nutrition
Note
The above nutritional values are estimates and should only be used as a guide. If you are following a specific diet or have dietary restrictions, please use your preferred nutritional calculator. If you have a food allergy please ensure that none of the listed ingredients are part of your restrictions. As well, always use a food thermometer to ensure safe cooking temperature of the food items.
