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Canned Salmon Pasta Salad

This canned salmon pasta salad is an easy summer side dish. It includes fresh vegetables, tender pasta, and canned salmon tossed in a homemade Old Bay vinaigrette. Make this for a cookout or family dinner in less than 20 minutes with this easy salmon pasta salad recipe.

A colorful bowl of Canned Salmon Pasta Salad, featuring vibrant pasta, chunks of succulent salmon, and fresh vegetables, ready to tantalize taste buds

Why Make Pasta Salad with Canned Salmon

  • Easy summer salad with simple ingredients: This 4-step salad recipe is an easy fix for summer and uses basic ingredients.
  • Uses budget-friendly canned salmon: Though you can use grilled salmon with lemon, Cajun Honey Butter Salmon or seared salmon in this recipe, canned salmon is cheaper than fresh salmon, making this a budget-friendly option.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you need to know about the ingredients in this recipe. Be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.

  • Bowtie pasta: Cooked in salted water
  • Cherry tomatoes: Halved
  • Cucumber: Quartered and sliced thinly
  • Canned salmon: I get this boneless and skinless in a can from the grocery store. You should drain any liquids from the can. You can also get regular canned salmon, but be sure to remove the skin and bones.
  • Red onions: Sliced thinly
  • Parmesan cheese: Grated (I get this from the refrigerated section in the market).

Old Bay Vinaigrette

  • Apple cider vinegar 
  • Olive oil
  • Old Bay Seasoning
  • Honey
Ingredients for a mouthwatering Canned Salmon Pasta Salad, displayed in separate bowls: Cooked bowtie pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced quartered cucumber, drained canned salmon, thinly sliced red onions, grated Parmesan cheese, and a separate bowl containing the Old Bay Vinaigrette made with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Old Bay Seasoning, and honey.

How To Make Pasta Salad With Canned Salmon

  1. Add the vinaigrette ingredients to a mixing bowl and use a whisk to combine. 
  2. Add the pasta, vegetables, and parmesan cheese to a large bowl and mix to combine.
  3. Pour on the vinaigrette and stir to combine.
  4. Add the canned salmon and gently fold into the salad. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Photo series showing how to make Canned Salmon Pasta Salad

Recipe Tips & FAQs

More Variations

Add additional veggies or add-ins to your taste. Some of my favorites are:

  • Bell peppers: red, orange, or green peppers
  • Anchovies
  • Nuts like pecans
  • Dried cranberries
  • Broccoli
A close-up of a mouthwatering Canned Salmon Pasta Salad, showcasing tender pasta, flakes of flavorful salmon, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a savory dressing

More Pasta Salad Recipes

A close-up of a mouthwatering Canned Salmon Pasta Salad, showcasing tender pasta, flakes of flavorful salmon, and crisp vegetables, all tossed in a savory dressing
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4.50 from 2 votes

Canned Salmon Pasta Salad

This Canned Salmon Pasta Salad is a budget-friendly summer side dish with fresh vegetables, tender pasta, and salmon tossed in an Old Bay vinaigrette.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 151kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb bowtie pasta cooked in salted water
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1.5 cups cucumber quartered and sliced thinly (about 1 large cucumber)
  • 6 oz canned salmon boneless and skinless, drained
  • 1/2 cup red onions sliced thinly
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated, I get this from the refrigerated section in the market

Old Bay Vinaigrette

  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

  • Add the vinaigrette ingredients to a mixing bowl and use a whisk to combine.
  • Add the pasta, vegetables, parmesan cheese to a large bowl and mix to combine.
  • Pour on the vinaigrette and stir to combine.
  • Add the canned salmon and gently fold into the salad – adding it separately allows you to keep some salmon chunks. But, you could also add it in step 2 if you're not concerned about that.
  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours for it to chill. Stir again before serving

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1mg
Recipe Rating